Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-03-27
CONGRESSIONAL.
sENATE-EXTRA SESSION.

On the 18th papers were submitted and
referred, signed by members of the Legislature
of Missouri and others, alleging that there was
corruption in the election of Mr.. Bogy as Senator.
800 The credentials of Senator Boutwell,, of Mass
achusetts were presented and he was sworn in.
The Caldwell case was further debated Mr..
Salisbury favoring expulsion, Mr. Pratt advocat-
ing the resolution declaring the election illegal
and void, and Mr.. Bayard claiming that there
was nothing in the pending case which could
justify the passage of resolution declaring the
election invalid; but the power OF expulsion was
clear in vindication Of the honor and dignity of
the Senate
Mr. Bogy, of Missouri, on the 18th, In
reply to the charges of bribery and corruption in
the procurement Of his election to the Senate.
aed the circumstances under which he was elect.
ed, denied the charges OF bribery and corruption,
and asked an immediate lnvestlgation In the
debate on the Caldwell case Mr.. Norwood argued
that the Senate had perfect and absolute power 10
declare void an election procured by bribery and
fraud and remit the matter to the State Tor new
eleCtion Mr. Thurman thought the election OF Mr.
Caldwell was thoroughly corrupt, and II the Sen
are did not turn out man whose election was pro-
cured by fraud, or declare the scat vacant untll
they procured stronger testimony the power to do
so might as well be stricken from the Constltu-
ton.
A motion was adopted on the 10Th,
requesting the Commissioner of Agriculture to
communicate to the Senate his annual report,
with accompanying papers, which were ordered
resolutions declaring that Mr. Caldwell was not
| legally elected to the Senate.
The discussion of the Caldwell case was
| continued on the Doth, and some personal debate
was induged in between Messrs. Conkling and
! Schurz Mr.. Hamilton, Of Maryland, argued that
the Senate could not go behind the election of a
Senator and inquire into the conduct and motives
| of members composing the Legislature. He could
not vote to declare the seat of Caldwell vacant,
| but there doubt as to the power TO eXpel a
Senator who had passed beyond the control of the
| Legislature. He could not compromise with fraud,
| and while he sympathiZed with the person on
whom he called to pass judgment he could not
escape condemning the act of the Senator from
| Kansas in the most solemn form.
| Resolutions were offered on the 21st
| providing that two bound copies of the Congress
| sionnl Record for the session be furnished each
Senator; directing the Finance Committee to in
| quire what measures can be adopted TO give the
country q currency convertible into gold. Mr.
Ferry CONNECTICUT Offered an amendment to the
pending resolution declaring that Mr.. Caldwell
not duly elected. so that the resolution should
read: That Alexander Caldwell be ana he is
hereby expelled from the Senate of the United
States. :. In the debate on the Caldwell case
Messrs. Frelinghuysen, Howe and Stewart
thought Mr.. Caldwell had been duly and legally
elected and that the Senate had ght to declare
| the election void; Mr.. Morrill, (Mainc) said he
should vote for the resolution OF the Committee
because he believed it would be a wholesome
exercise of the power and duty devolved upon the
Senate