Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-03-18
Forty-Second Congress First Session
WASHINGTON, d. c., March II.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, ID. e., March II.
SENATE.
The vice president laid before the senate a
message from the president, in response to Mr..
FrelinghuySenS resolution, to the effect that,
since the proclamation of the ratification of the
fifteenth amendment but one additional state,
New Jersey, had ratified it.
Mr.. Wilson introduced bill to remove the
political disabilities OF all persons, except men,
bers of the cabinet aud senators and representa-
tives who left congress to go into the rebellion.
Referred to the committee on political disabili-
ties.
Mr.. Anthony submitted resolution for in.
yestlgation into southern affairs, as follows
" Resolved by the senate, the house con-
curing, that joint committee, consisting of
five senators and seven representatives, be
appointed, whose duty it shall be to inquire
into the condition of the late Instruction
airy states, so far as regards the execution
Of the laws and the safety OF the lives and prop
erty of citizens of the United States, with leave
to report at any time the results of their nves-
tigatiOn to congress, with such recommended
tons as they may deem eXpedieDt and such
committee be authorized to employ clerks and
stenographers, to sit during the recess, take tes
timOny and visit, at their discretion, any por-
ton Of the United States during the recess of
congress, print and make public, at any time
during the recess, the results of their investga-
ton; and the expenses of said committee to he
paid out of the congressional contingent fund
Mr. Anthony explained that the resolution
would provide for joint investigating commit
tee, upon which both houses would be repre-
sented, instead of a special committee of one
branch, as proposed by the house. Senators on
both sides of the chamber would of course, be
represented on the committee.
Mr.. TTumbull suggested an increase of the
committee TO seven senators and nine repreSen-
tatives, and that the present senate committee
to investigate the southern affairs be included in
the former number.
Mr.. Anthony accepted the suggestion for an
increase of the number of the committee, and
the resolution was modified accordingly.
Mr. Thurman said he was willing TO forego
any private opinion, and vote for an investga-
ton, which, in the opinion of majority, was
considered necessary; but he wanted an amend
ment, so as to secure a fair representation of
both parties on the subcommittee of the main
committee which might sit at various points of
the south. He denied that the investigation
was to be party matter, and protested against
the idea that any one party man more than an
other had an interest in the preservation of the
peace of the country. AS the matter had, in
some quarters, assumed the appearance of par
tizanship, he would now provide for fairness in
the investigation by subcommittee.
Mr.. Trumbull remarked, in calling attention
to the matter, that the senator from Ohio had
probably accomplished his object. Certainly
no one desired to obtain any information which
was not correct, and the committee, if appoint
ed, would, doubtless, heed the suggestion.
Mr.. Scott said the committee on the south
had never taken testimony unless one or two
members of the minority of the committee were
present
Mr.. Thurman expressed himself as satisfied
with having called attention to the matter and
withdrew his suggestion for an amendment.
Mr.. Conkling did not want it to be under
stood that there was any agreement in the SEN
ate by which democratic members of sub-com-
mttee would be enabled to Illustrate an inyes-
tigation by his inability or unwillingness 10 ac-
company other members of such subcommittee
wherever they desired to go. Such agreement
would Illustrate the whole investigation. He
had no idea that any such thing would be at
tempted, but he would now enter his explicit
denial that any such arrangement had been
made.
Mr.. Thurman assured the senator from New
York of the faithful attendance of democrats, if
a sufficient number of them were appointed.
The resolution was then passed.
Mr.. Patterson then offered concurrent reso-
luton, reyiving the joint committee ON re-
trenchment, to consist of four senators and seven
representatives.
Mr.. Stewart objected, and it went over.
Mr.. Robertson, from the committee on disa-
bilities, reported without amendment, his bill
to relieve all persons except members of con-
gress and officers of the army and navy who
left positions and aided the rebellion, from al!
political disabilities imposed by the gath amend
ment to the constitution.
A bill to promote the collection of the in terual
revenue, providing Tor the employment of an 10.
ternal revenue police force In every collection
district, in the discretion Of the commissioner
of internal revenue, was introduced by Mr..
Lewis, and referred TO the finance committee.
The additional deficiency appropriation bill
was proceeded with, and amendments providing
for public park in the city Of Washington and
repeating the law for the commencement Of the
first session Of the new congress on the fourth
OF March, instead of December was adopted, a