The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-01-10
xLIID CONGRESSIONAL SESSION.
SENATE.

ol14>ALE.
WASHINGTON, Jan 9-Several petitions were
presented, including one for the benefit of the
heirs of Dr. Morton, the ether discoverer; also
memorial from American Temperance Mission.
CHARGE AGAINST SENATOR CLAYTON.
Mr. Scott made special report from the joint
Ku-Klux Comm ttee, involving a question of
privilege. He said the committee investigating
the condition of affairs in Arkansas found no
Ku-Klux outrages in that State for more than
two years, but testimony was given by two wit
nesses from Arkansas, named Wheeler and
Whipple, duplicating one Senator from that
State (Clayton) and member of the House
(Edwardsl which evidence the committee
Thought it thor duty to lay before tho Sonotu,
so that the Senator implicated might have OPP
portunity to move for an investigation. The
testimony charges that Clayton, while Cover
nor OF Arkansas, made bargain with the Dem
ocratic members of the Legislature to disregard
the regular returns of elections for members of
Congress in the LIST district, row represented by
Edwards and give Edwards the certificate, al
though Boles was really elected and that in
consideration for this was a promise of the
Democrats to vote for him for Senator.
Mr.. Scott, in submitting the report, said if
the charges were found true it would be the
duty of the Senate to consider whether the Sen
ator from Arkansas was fit person to hold a
seat in the Senate, and if, on the contrary they
were untrue, the Senator was entitled to have
them investigated and himself exonerated
Clayton-I suppose, under the rules, this re-
port VIII lie over one day.
Vice Presidential would.
Clayton-Then, sir, as l am the Senator i'm
plicated, and as l do not desire to be under the
imputation one day longer than can possibly be
avoided, ask the unanimous consent to pro-
coed at once to a consideration of the report.
No objection was made and Mr.. Clayton read
long address reviewing the evidence of Wheel
er and Whipple, and indicating in detail his
own acts as Governor of Arkansas. He de-
scribed Whipple as the foreman of the United
Ct,tnc T1r xul,ic oh MO aY,o1it mo-
chine, and Wheeler, U. S. District Attorney, as
mere factotum, who moved only as others
pulled the wires. He said the charges, as well
as his Indictment by the grand jury, were made
a part of systematic persecution, to which he
had been subjected by enemies at home.
At the expiration of the morning hour the
amnesty bill came up as unfinished business,
but on motion of Mr.. Sumner was made the
special order for Monday
Mr.. Clayton continued his remarks. In con-
clusion he asked the Senate to appoint spe-
Gil committee to investigate the charges
On motion of Mr. Wright resolution was
adopted to refer the matter to special COM
mittee of three with power to report upon the
charges against Mr.. Clayton.
Mr.. Conkling gave mott ce that on Thursday
he would call the pending joint resolution (Mr.
Sumner's) to limit the President to one term,
and would address the Senate on the subject.
Mr. Morrill, moved to take up the concurrent
resolution accepting the statue of Roger Will
liams, presented by the State of Rhode Island
Mr.. Sprague, in a brief address, presented the
statue in the name and on behalf of Rhode Is
land
Mr.. Anthony delivered an address on the
same subject, and the concurrent resolution was
adopted.
GoLDTHwAITE ADMITTED.
Mr.. Thurman moved to take up the pending
resolution to admit Mr. Goldthwaite of Alaba-
ma, to seat pending the investigation of the
validity of his election, and in response to the
question by Nh. Conkling, said it was the unan-
imous Judgment of the Committee on Elections
that the resolution should pass. The resolution
was then adopted s.
Mr.. Morton called up the resolution to pay
Foster Blodgett of Georgia, late contestant for
seatin the Senate the usual compensation.
Adopted
d. Bills introduced-By Mr.. Wilson, authorizing
the appointment of a Superintendent of Ma
tional Cemeteries; by Mr.. Pomeroy, to enable
honorably discharged soldiers and their widows
and orphans to acquire homesteads Adjourn
ed
.7sgsi HOUSE. l..s
| Mr.. Kelley, of Pennsylvania, from the Com
mittee on Coinage, reported a bill revising the
laws relative to mint assay offices and coinage
| of United States, and being a simple codifca-
tionof the existing laws, was discussed atsome
| length without action, except the rejection of
| one or two amendments offered during the de-
| bate.-Adjourned.