Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-02-24
CONGRESSIONAL.
SENATE.
To Abolish Cadetship,

no ABOLISH OslUetShapS
WASHINGTON, Feb. 23.-Mr. Spencer
offered a resolution instructing the Naval
and Military Committees to report upon
the expediency of abolishing the Naval
Academy at Annapolis, and the Military
Academy at West Point, and the substitu-
ton by assignments to duty in the various
colleges throughout the Union of naval and
military officers as instructors in naviga-
ton, naval warfare and military tactics, or
lnauguratng some other system calculated
to relieve the Government of the large ex-
pense, and enable all who desired it to Sc
cure an education for the army or navy at
their own expense. Agrued
Enter EIhiOps.
! Mr.. Wilson presented the credentials of
A. r. Revels, Senior elect from Mississippi.
which were received The paper has a
certificate of election for the term ending
In 1871, and signed by Gen Ames, Militia
~ Governor of Mississippi.
Mr. Salisbury proceeded to argue rthat
admission to the Senate could only be
claimed upon q valid election by vote of a
Legislature. In the present case there was
no evidence emanating from the Legisla-
ture that they had elected any one, but
simply a certificate from an individual
styling himself a military officer and pro-
vIsional Governor, and that the Legisla-
ture done certain acts.
He denied that any Provisional Govern
or could send communication to this
body for such an officer was unknown to the
Constitution.
Mr.. Wilson had read certified copy of
the proceedings in the election of Senators
of the United States by the Mississippi
Legislature.
Mr.. Drake remarked that the objection
was without force, as an act of Congress
required the Governor of State to GER
tify to the election of Senator, but did
not say that the evidence should come from
the Legislature.
A communication before the Senate from
the Governor Of Mississippi, provisional
though he might be called, furnished every
evidence required by the Constitution. |
The Great Seal of the State to paper was !
sufficient for the Senate, for the right of !
the GOvernorto use that seal could not now |
be inquired into, but in the present case, !
1t must be accepted as a fact
Mr.. Salisbury referred to newspaper
announcements, and inquired if paper
was any evidence Of the election of fac
person referred to.
The Chair said ifany objection was made
to the administration of the oath to Rev
question whether the oath shoald
be administered would be submitted to the
Senate.
Mr.. Salisbury said before the ques-
ton Of administering the oath came up
other questions might have to be settled.
At this particular stage he submitted that
the certificate of a military officer that this
man had been elected to the Senate of the
United States was not such a certificate as
was required by law.
Mr. Stewart asked if the certificates of
election of the various Senators from the
reconstructed States had been signed by
the Provisional Governors. He spoke Of
the election of person named Alc0rn, as
Governor of Mississippi. Therefore, taking
tho ground Of Senator Drake, this paper
did not show the signature and seal Of the
Governor of Mississippi.
Mr.. Drake replied that in the absence of
official information that the newly elected
Governor had not been installed into Office,
Senator Sudbury could not insist that the
office Of Governor had changed hands.
Mr. TTumbull said that under the law the
Governor was required to give a certificate
Of election. Strictly speaking the present
certificate was defective in not giving the
facts Of the election in detail; but instances
had occurred in the Senate in which men,
bers had been sworn in without presenting
any certificate. The admission of Senator
Davis was an instance ofthis kind He then
called for the reading Of the papers sub
nitted by Mr.. Wilson.
The papers referred to, detailing the
meeting of the Joint Convention of the
at which out of 1l9 votes
Revels received 81, were read.
Mr.. Wilson said the papers included the
certificate Of the Clerk of the lower House
to the correctness Of the journals, aud a sim
liar report Of the proceedings of the Sen
ate and certificate signed by the Secre-
tary Of State and Provisional Governor.
The subject was discussed at great length
but not disposed Of
Adj ION rncd.