The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-05-20

WASHINGTON, May 19-When the Senate
was ed to order only twenty-four members
were present Discussion regarding the lille
silma1e publicity of the treaty was resumed.
| W.T. IAN, OF Iowa. opened the debate, and
| among other things, suggested that each Sena-
tor who was furnished with an advance copy OF
the treaty be called before the committee for
| examination.
| explanation. He said ~ am glad INV friend
| from Iowa has made the request that those
Senators furnished with advance copies of the
treaty should be examined by the investigating
committee, with the view to their vindicatiop,
as it affords me an opportunity to make a
statement and suggest for my self and, SO tar as
nave right, for others that every member of
the Senate may appear before this committee
ior Inc same purpose. l will read from the
ratriot OF this city, in an article referring to
TINS investigation, as follows:--'During the last
two days Mr.. Carpenter and Mr.. Conkling
nave been bold in declaring that if the Senate
would insist upon its rights and exact its au-
tnorlty the committee would fasten its respon-
sDilIty upon Senator, and they have not hesi-
lated IN semi-pnblic manner almost to point to
Mr. Fenton, saying, in the language of Nathan
to David, Thou art the man. Ii the Sena-
tor from New York or the Senator from Wis
consin were present should ask them to state
10 the Senate whether in an official, semi
oinoial or any other manner they made state
ment or Insinualion that would warrant such
puDncatlon; but, although they are out of
enelr seats at this moment, cannot allow the
occasion to pass without saying word. will
sSMp.y s.a.e the iacts. L arrived here Wednes-
DAY, the 10th inst. 1 was not favored win on
advance copy of the treaty, nor did / have nr
see an advance copy or any other cow excant
as it was read at the Secretary's desk nnt;i
Thursday Afternoon, about 3 o'clock, when the
Senate copy was placed in my hands. full ten
hours after it appeared in the Tribune. I
therefore thought that the intimation by apy
one having far more information as a member
Of the committee, that had anything to do
with or knowledge of the disclosures to the
Tribune would have been entirely unwarrant-
ed by the circumstance, and q most unkind in
sinuation without the least shadow of justified
suspicion that had anything to do with it
would have been as cowardly and as base. The
positive charge would have been no less infa-
nous than wanton and ridiculous. L am free
to say that should not thus characterize the |
matter had it not come to me from other |
sources than the Patriot, that an ATTEMPT had |
been made to connect me ia some way with
TINS transaction. In conclusion, beg to ask |
pear before the cammittee and vindicate hin
self under such forms and solemnities a. the |
committee may prescribe. a.t
MIR. Harlan moved that the Senate proceed |
to the consideration of executive business |
Mr.. Morton said that he desired to make n
statement. He had been informed of an at |
Tempt to connect his name with violation of |
the obligation of secrecy.
Mr.. Trumbull said that he was sorry that
The Chairman of the investigating committee
was not present, but as a member of that COM
nttee he desired to say that so far as the ex-
animation had proceeded there was no informa-
ion from any source pointing to or indicating |
hat any Senator had furnished copy of the |
reaty. No one had said or intimated before |
,he COMMITTEES that either the Senator from
New York or the Senator from Indiana or any |
'ther Senator had given to any outside party
,opy of the treaty.
Mr.. Sumner, as member of the select COM
nittee, confirmed Mr.. Trumbul's statement. |
Mr.. Morton remarked that the Senator from
" isconsin (Carpenter), chairman of the COM
nlttee, had stated in most pointed and sig
lificant manner that objection had been made
0 the examination, apparently from fear of ex-
,osure, and if it were allowed to 90 on some |
senator would certainly be implicated.
our. .Trumbull repeated that nothing of the
lind appeared before the COMMITTED
Mr.. Morton resumed, saying that one Seua-
or intimated that copy came from him (Mor-
on.) AS he at the proper time would be pre-
jared to make a full showing, he would now
ontent himself by saying that the intimation
vas an atrocous and cowardly falsehOod.
there was not circumstance of which he had
NOW ledge that could sustain it. 1t was made
ut of whole CLOTH
After further discussion the Senate went
INTO executive session on the treaty.