The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-03-19
SENATE...EXTRA SESSION,

ol Missouri, said that during his absence
yesterday memorial was presented from
certain members Of the Missouri Legisla.
ture, asking the Senate to investigate the
charges Of improper means, bribery and
corruption in the procurement OF his cleo.
ton. He then proceeded to relate the
circumstances under which he was elect
ed. In that contest II was alleged that
money had been used, but at no time was
he or his distinguished competitor 'charg-
ed with using money. One man, how.
ever, without political distinction, but Of
large fortune, was charged with having
made up his mind tO. buy bis seat. I'm
mediately after his (BOgy's) election a
resolution was passed by the House
OF Representative for the appointment OF
a committee to investigate whether money
was improperly used in the Senatorial
election. After nearly one month the
committee made Il lengthy report, In
which It was said there was no evidence
directly or indirectly TO criminRte Senator
elect BOgy and fully exhonorated him,
The committee also found that no men,
Der OF the General Assembly received
money directly or indirectly 10 influence
bis vote At bis instance The committee
extended their investigation and. made
another report reatHrming the frat report,
and asked 10 be discharged. This matter
II was thought was ended, but 1t appear
ed some ot tho Republicans had presented
q memorial to the Senate asking for an in
vestigation. This memorial was in gen.
eral terms 1t did not say anything could
be proved. This was a matter Ol great
Importance. Here was State which
had as bright a record and whose escutch.
con was as clear Of any stain as any other
State, and, therefore, he might well claim
as a right due himself and State, that the
Senate at once take up the case, II he
had any reputation for anything above
another, il was that OF being an honest
man, and though he admitted he was an
ardent politician he had never been
charged with corruption. he did not
like 10 be held up before the country as q
man who had obtained bis seat here by
improper means. BE could not vote to
expel or retain the subject OF investigation
under these Circumstances. He should
suspend his functions on all such ques'
tons.
The Senate then resumed the consider
alton Of the Caldwell case.
Mr.. Norwood said the Senate had per-
feet and absolute power to declare void
an election procured by bribery and
fraud, and remit the matter 10 the State
for a new election.
Mr.. Thurman said the result oil his OK
animation Of the testimony was that the
election OF Caldwell was thoroughly cor
rupt. he had examined much evidence
In his time and never had seen the evil
dence so conclusive and damaging as this.
He found that the Committee on Privi
legea and elections had unanimously re-
ported the most material facts.
Mr.. Carpenter replied that as member
of the Committee, he had dlssented from
the finding Of tho facts, but had not time
to write dissenting report.
Mr.. Thurman did not deny what the
Sens:or said but he found facts in the
report upon which they were called to
act. If they did not turn out man
whose election was procured by fraud, or
declare the the seat vacant until they OBJ.
tanned stronger testimony, the power to
do so might as well be stricken from the
Constitution. The legal argument was in a
narrow compass. The Senate has power,
under the Constitution, TO judge Of the elec-
iton qualification and returnssof its mem
beIs and therefore It could not be viola
tion Of State rights TO exercise the power
conferred In that instrument.
No further debate took place.
Mr.. Window offered q resolution that
the Committee on Transportation be au-
thorized to cit during the recess and re-
port to the Senateon the subject OF trans.
portation between the interior and sea.
board, with power to send for persons,
papers, SO.
The Senate then went into Executive
session, and afterwards adjourned.