New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-01-24

why special committee should not be ap-
pointed to investigate the matter. The Sen
atOr could then 20 before that committee
and state the facts as he knew them and
thereby enable them to make a report to
the Senate as to whether there were any
members holding two or three different
offices. He. therefore, favored the adop-
ton OF tue resolution, and hoped the special
committee asked for would be appointed,
vestigation. which could not properly come
before the Judiciary Committee or the
Committee Oh Elections.
MI. Lewis then moved to lay the motion
to refer the resolution to the Committee on
Elections on the table. Adopted.
Mr.. Lewis then moved the adoption of the
resolution.
Mr.. McMillcn: am opposed to this reso-
luton. and regret that it has been intro
duced by the gentleman from Sabine. 1t is
| evidently intended as reflection upon some
individual member or members Of this body.
1t would be, in my opinion. quite as appro-
| pirate to introduce Il resolution providing
| for the appointment of special committee
| to ascel tain whether some member of this
Senate has not been guilty of crime. The
| presumption is, that when come before the
| bar of this Senate and swear that | viii sup
| port the constitution and the laws OF tlls
State. and The constitution and laws Of the
| United States have, by that act, purged
myself of every disability to occupy IL scat
as IA Senator upon this floor. The presump
ton is, that am not occupying seat here
| in violation OF the constitution which have
| sworn to support: and for the Senator from
| Sabine, Or the Senator from any other dis
| trict, to introduce Il resolution looking TO
| an inquiry as TO my ability to occupy seat
| here on this floor. is to me direct insult.
| I say to the Senator from Sabine that he
has mn irl,t t.,i hot ar ~ mo-
here in violation OF the constitution OF the
State; because have come here, as he has.
in obedience to the voice of my cOnsttu-
ents. and have sworn, as he has. to sup
port the constitution of the State. Unless
a current rumor prevails in the continuity
against the capacity or the ability OF any
Senator who holds IA seat on this floor. he
has no authority to call in question the
right of any Senator to occupy the seat
which he fills to-day. Why should the
Senate Investigate. this matter, Why
should the Senator from Sabine set
himself up as tribunal and AJAX
that the members OF this Senate be arrayed
before Inn. one by enc, in order that lie
ma determine whether or not they are
qualified to sit as Senators, and report his
conclusion. to this body in the form OF Il
report: or, perhaps, 4 resolution. Why,
the act itself ia a presumption, which the
SeDatOr from Sabine has no right to assume
in this Senate. The Senator from Sabine is
here simply as any other Senator: no more
and no less. Unless an accusation is
brought against some member Or members
OF this body, he has no right to be clothed
with power to inquire whether Senator's are
or are not here in violation of the constltu-
ton. The Senate. as a body, ia the Judge of
the qualifications of its own members and
the Senate has acqulesced in tho general
principle that every member that has taken
~,
constitution and laws of t;lis State and the
United States. Is competent to occupy
Il seat on this tioor. 1t seems to Inc
that ii comes with bad grace a: this
late day for the Senator to ask
that a special committee OF veati-a.;on
shall be appointed i'll addition to the stand
ing Committee on Elections. to Investigate
whether or not Senators are here in viola
ton of the constitution OF this State. Who
is going to liycstigat" the cases of the
three Senators who are to be appointed on
this select committee, After they have
called the roll OF the Senate. from Anderson
to the last name on the LIST. and have had
them all before them. who. in turn. is going
to call the names OF the senators sitting in
this secret tribunal. and determine whether
or not they are holding seats here i'll viola
ton of the constitution Why. the very in
PRODUCTION of the resolution 10 an ;mputation
upon the Senate. 1t is Il piece OF presump-
ton that is unparalleled in the history of
legislation. and call upon the Senate to re
Iect il lay a unanimous vote.
Mr. Lewis: did not think that any Sena-
tor would object to this resolution. 1t asks
nothing that any one who ia able to clear
his skirts need be- AFRAID of. In order to
show the great respect that ! entertain for
the gentleman from Carroll. | would ask
that he be appointed a member of the COM
inittee selected to make this investigation.
:, that he can throw his shield of respect
ability over them. and that he may see that
no foul imputation Is east upon any Senator
who may come within the pur,icw of that
resolution. l ain satisfied that his great
honesty and his great reputation will throw
an air OF responsibility around us. and will
prevent lis from :'rn.in. il a libel again It
any senator.
Mr.. McMilcn moved TO !,y the resolution
on the table.
Mr. Lynch moved to rrit, the resolution
to the Judiciary COMMITTEES.
Laid on the table.
Mr.. McMillen: | have another amend
ment to offer. | am in favor of having t!li,
resolution referred To- Il committee OF the
whole house. us know of no committee
that is SO deeply Interested in it as it is
We can then discuss II To our hearts con
teEt. and if Senator a has Il charge brought
against him by Senator i. he will be pre-
sent 20 defend himself, and the committee
a. Jury. will decide on his case. We can
have Il good time some day stiSatin. this
matter | therefore move that the rcSolu-
ton be referred to the committee of the
whole House. with instructions to invcSti-
gate the matter. and report by bill or other
wise.
The President ruled the motto ont Of or
der
Mr.. Sypher offered an amendment to the
effect that instead of three. the committee
to be appointed should be composed of
thirty-sX Senators: which was ruled out of
order by the President.
Mr.. Lewis moved the adoption of the res
oluton. and called for the previous uues-
ton.
The main question was ordered and the
resolution was laid on the table.
INVESTIGATION OF METROPOLITAN POLICE
FUND.
Mr.. Todd having called UP the resolution
introduced some few days since calling for
the appointment of a committee to iuvest;-
gate the Metropolitan Police fund
Mr.. McMillen said: This is another of
those insidious resolutions which call for
the appointment Of select committees to in
vestigate something or somebody. Such
resolutions are lately becoming very COM
mon. In addition to our long array of
standing committees, we are creating day
by day numerous select committees. These
committees are employing clerks and short
hand writers. and are sending for persons |
and papers, and entaling heavy expense on |
the State. | think there is a standing Com |
mittce Oh the City of New Orleans, COM
posed of the members of thi, Senate from |
that city. and if there is going to be an in |
vestigation. why can not that committee |
carry If on | am informed tl,at thora IL |