Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-03-24
EVENING STAR.
FORTY-FTRST CONGRESS.
The Case OF Gen. Ames-The Case
Of Brigham Young.
Conclusion Of Yesterdays Proceedings.

SENATE-After our report closed
The case OF General Ames being under con-
siderstiOD-
Mr.. Carpenter desired 70 state that the Com
mttee had gwen a careful and Impartial inves-
rigation TO this matter, and the report, which
had been made upon dry legal question. had
been the cause OF assault upon the Commit
tee, prosecuted with a warmth and vigor that
would seem to indicate they were In consprs-
ry TO overthrow the Government and TO en-
sianger the existence OF the Repuohcan party
The only reference he could draw from this
treatment WAS that the Senate appreciated the
TACT that IL WAS sometimes sweet to quarrel with
a tiresome friend, and that the Judiciary Com
mittee had come 10 be regarded as useless ap-
pendzge of this body; that II pertained to
condition Of things when the Constitution was
supreme. When a political measure must be
rushed through this body, and when the Con-
sttutiOn vas TO be disregsrded, the Judicia-
~ Committee was an obstruction, il was a
useless machine. And, 50 far as he was con
Gerned. he was perfectly willing that the
Committee should be abolished Tomorrow
GOncede, Tor the purpose Of this discussion, that
whenever the Constitution stands in the way O
what l. deemed human rights. of what il deemed
n temporary advantage, OF what is deemed a
party necessity, IL Is TO be trampled under foot
COnceding all this, which is all that any ) enat II
can claim for modern progress in the revolution
AIRY direction. the of Gen. Ames does no
Hall within the concession. A decent RESPECT
for things past. q decent respect for the theory
of our Government. and for our solemn oaths
should dictate that the Constitution is not to be
necessity, and with corresponding advantage
10 the country. to the party, to human rights
to somebody. What j. the necessity now
Does the fate of the Republic or OF the party de-
pend upon Cen Ames taking his seat? Are we
not in q state of profound peace Do we not
know that Gen. Ames will be sent back here in
ten days, and no one will then welcome him
more gladly than i. Mr.. g. then went into
legal argument to prove that Gen. Ames was
not eitizes OF Mississippi at the time of his
election.
Mr.. Morton denied that there had been any
assaultupoR the Judiciary Committee, unless TO
differ with them WAS an assault. The lnfalli-
bility of that committee had not yet been pro-
cl2lmea, although having the utmost respect for
that committee Ii was his privilege to differ
with them when he thought they were not right
and he thought that those who had been rgling
against Gen. Ames had utterly failed to make
out q case, and he had not the least idea that
he was trampling upon the Constitution in sup.
PORTING the claims OF Gen. Ames. The prima
Jdee presumption IL, that every man who Is
elected Senator is eligible Was there ever any
case before in this Senate where, when creden-
tl2ls were presented here, an inquiry was in.ti-
Tuted a. to whether the claimant was 30 wears of
age, or whether he WAS an inhabitant? Now he
asserted, in reply to the argument on the other
side. that not one o: them had brought forward
any authority to show that a military officer
cannot acquire residence. Ii mattered not
whether Gen. Ames went voluntarily to Nissis-
slppi or not. If he was there he had the perfect
right 20 elect that State as his residence, and
the fact that he had 80 elected was abundantly
proved
Mr.. Howe did not like his truthfulness and
honor assailed because he thought that Gen
Ames was entitled TO the seat. Now after ali
the able and elaborate arguments that had been
made against Gen. Ames, he (Mr. H. still held
40 ms original view that Gen. Ames was clearly
eligible.
Mr.. Scott read from the proceedings of the
convention to prove that IN fixing the aualiica-
tons OF a senator all attempts to prescribe a
previous period of residence were voted down
and IL was simply prescribed that he slOuId H.,
an inhabitant at the time when he was elected.
40 that We are brought to the simple question
whether Gen. Ames was an inhs bitant of Mss
lsSippi at the time OF his election.
Eessrs. Cragn and COrbett made remarks in
favor of the admission OF Gen. Ames and Mr.
Davis against.
The Senate then, at 5 p. m, without further
action adjourned, Dir. Vickers, of Md, being
entitled TO the floor.
HOUSE.-After our report closed
The Speaker laid before the House a number
Of Executive communications, including mess
age from the President in relation to the causes
al the decline of American commerce.
Mr.. Brooks rose to debate this communics-
tiOOn, when he was cut OF by an objection from
MIR. Kelsey. and the message was returned to
the Speakers table.
The House resumed the consideration of the
Utah pOiygamy bill. and Mr.. Hooper (Utah)
resumed his speech. which he had not concluded
at the adjournment Tuesday. Mr.. II. argued to
show that pOlygamy was not an essential ele-
nient OF the Mormon religion and the Mormon
1aith. and that 70 attack ii was To attack the
principle recognized in our Constitution that
lie cOntended that FOlygamy was no more sin
tul now than il was in the earliest ages OF the
world, when IL was practiced with the sanction
OF Heaven. We had an iIlustrious authority for
IOlygamy. he said, in the fact that our first
father. Adam. had married all the women in
The world lLaughter.l Mr.. III. then quoted
from the history OF Church and State to show
IL what extent poly smy had been recognized
a. right and proper at different periods of the
worlds history.
Mr.. Axtel (Cal.) opposed the bill, not becaus,
he ~ A. a DOiyEAmV. bpcausA
he believed il ill-advised and calculated % do
far DOre harm than good, and that It's provis-
ions were uni ust to the people OF Utah, and
would do them great wrong and injury.
Mr. Schenck (OhiOl moved that the bill be re-
committed. He believed some effective mea-
sures should be adopted 10 repress the practices
among the MOrmOns of Utah, but this bill with
it, thirty-fOur sections would not accomplish the
object or the end aimed at. He thought a short
bin would accomplish the object better.
Mr. CuilOm, I'm > chairman OF the Commit
Zee on Territories, opposed the motion to re-
commit and hoped the House would now take
uP the bill and act upon il. He believed it was
- well prepared now to amend il a. il would be
at anv other time.
Mr.. Cox IN. W would vote to recommit the
bin as the surest and best way of killing it. He
believed some legislation was necessary. but this
bill would not accomplish the end aimed at.
The question as then taken on Mr.. Schenck's
motion TO recommit TO the Committee on Terri
tories, and 10 was rejected-yeas I5, nays 50.
The bill was then taken up Tor consideration,
and some immaterial amendments were adopted.
Mt Fitch (NeyaGa) offered an amendment to
add new section extending the provisions of
tie act to all States and Territories where
bigamy. cOncubinage, or poligamy has been or
NAV be practiced. 14aughter.l
Mr.. Cleveland y. j. called attention to the
fact that the gentleman had omitted the District
Of Columbia
MIR. Fitch said he had omitted it purposely,
because he did not wish TO injure some of his
friends on this floor.
The question on agreeing to this amendment
was taken by yeas and nays, and il was reject
fd-yeas g, nays ia.
Mr.. WelkeT moved TO strike out sections IL and
"a, which relate to the change of the system of
courts and juries.
All these sections were stricken out. As also
the 3iSt and SD sections IN relation to the en-
PlOyment of the military force To enforce the
laws. and authorizing the Secretary OF the
Treasury To expend 81 100000 for the relief of
persons VINO may be left destitute by the opera
tons of this law.
The bill was then passed as amended.
The House then went into Committee of the
Whole on the Tariff bill, and immediately there
alter took recess until T3o .. m. 81
Attic evening session, the Tariff bill was dis
cussed by MessTs. Holman, (Ind-,) Cook, I'M, J
johnson, CALL and Mccormick, Mo, ! until
II O'Clock p m, when the House adjourned.