The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-05-18
THE SENATE.
Debate on the Premature Publica.
tf0n OF the Treaty.

Debate ON the Premature Publiea.
tton OF the Treaty.
WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE Vice
President laid before that body an
answer from the President to a former
resolution calling for copy Of the re-
port Of William Whitney, late Solicitor
Of tn War Department, containing a
list OF claims from foreign subjects,
growing out of transactions Of the war
Of the rebellion.
The Vice President, in reply to Mr.
Sumner, said the report was in the
printed volume transmitted, and two
written papers from the Secretary of
State accompanied it. About thirty
five pages Of the book relates to these
claims.
Mr. Sumner thought that Dis the in
formation was not now generally acces-
sible, it ought to be printed with the
letter Of the Secretary Of State.
The printing was ordered, and then,
went into executive session.
At ten minutes past | o'clock Messrs
White and Ramsdell were brought into
the Senate under arrest.
Mr.. Carpenter, from the Select COM
mittee, offered resolution that requir-
ed the Vice President to PROFOUND the
question to them, what reason they
have for not answering a certain inter
rogation relative to the premature pub
lication of the treaty, and whether they
were now prepared to answer all the
proposed questions as given by the COM
mittee. Mr.. Carpenter made a state
ment showing the undoubted right Of
the Senate to make the investigation
and the improperly of making public
matters Of such vast importance. He
said there were two courses, either Of
which they must pursue. First, the
Senate must 60 forward and compel
obedience to its rules or confess in the
face of the world its want of nerve and
weakness.
Mr.. Fenton offered substitute for
the pending resolution requiring the
question to be propounded as follows:
did you receive a copy OF the treaty
either from a Senator, or the Clerk or
Secretary Of the Senate, or any officer
or employee Of the Senate, or any mem
Der of his family
This, Mr.. Fenton said, was-as far as
they ought to 60.
Mr.. Wilson supported the substitute,
speaking in favor of a>free press and
saying this proposition would vindicate
the Senate and then they ought to stop.
Mr.. Morton took similar grounds.
Mr. Thurman said that if any body
was responsible for the publication of
what purported to the treaty it was the
managing editor Of the paper in which
it appeared. He should vote for Mr..
Feuton's substitute, though he did not
believe it was legally correct.
Mr. Upton advocated the fullest3free.
dom Of the press, and would stand by
the resolution.
Mr.. Carpenter opposed the substitute.
Mr.. Fenton's substitute was disagreed
to by vote of 2l against 81
Mr.. Trumbull moved an amendment
to the second interrogatory to add after
the words proper inquiries put to you
the words touching the disclosures d.
rectly or indirectly through any men,
Der Of the Senate or any officer or en-
ploye thereof Of what purports to be
copy Of the treaty of Washington, now
pending before the Senate in executive
session Agreed to-yeas %; nays %.
Mr.. Fenton moved an amendment
that the answers to the interrogatories
be in writing at the witnesses option.
Disagreed to-yeas 81 nays 81.
Mr. Sumner said two days had now
been taken up with this subject, and he
thought the Senate had best stop. Had
it not gone far enough? No good can
come out OF this matter and the resolu-
ton had better be voted down.
Mr.. Stewart thought there was some
one in the Senate letting out the se-
crets, and either tae rule should be
abolished or he should be exposed.
Mr.. Carpenter said no doubt existed
that the treaty had gotten out through
some one in the Senate.
The resolution of Mr.. Carpenter, as
amended by Mr.. Trumbull, was then
passed-ayes, AZ; nays, l4-Messrs.
Blair, Davis, OF West Virginia, Fen
ton, Hamilton, Of Indiana, Morton,
Rice, Salisbury, Schurz, Sprague, Sum-
ner, Sherman, Upton, Vickers and Will
son voting in the negative.
The Vice President then directed the
Sergeant-at-Arms to produce the witness
before the desk, and then put to him
the interrogatories set forth in the reso
luton. Mr.. White, in reply, said that
be desired to have further time to an
swer, and in reply to an inquiry from
Mr.. Carpenter, stated that he would
be ready tomorrow at II o'clock.
Mr.. Carpenter then offered a resolu-
tion in reference to Mr.. Ramsdell Of
like import to the one just adopted in
reference to Mr.. White.
The resolution was adopted and the
Vice President propounded the inter-
rogatories to him. He also asked for
an extension OF time until tomorrow at