New-York tribune., 1873-03-24
y s. SEHATE-sPEcIAL SESSION.
WASHINGTON. Saturday. March %, 1873
The Senate proceeded to the consideration

WASHINGTON, Saturday. March %, 1873.
Tho senate proceeded to the consideration
of the Caldwell question
Mr. FERRY Rep.. Micb) regretted inst the senator
from connecticut Cir. Ferry1 had submitted resoln-
ton Of expulsion at this time. He had given close at
% for the first time. the question whether bribery
yItiates the election OF member OF TINS Douy I'M, u1
ho was confined to the legality Of the act by when
Mr. Caldwell hold his seat. it appeared the
majority Of the Committee on PRIVILEGES ana Eee 1
lions we're I'm doubt to the proper methOd 10 De
pursued and. therefore, they chose to present the
question involving the validity OF the election First
9S SSPsSr hS% fS Tor @ Expulsion
second that serving notice that he would press nlS
the Senator from the Committee had offered amend
mcnt also proposing expulsion thus requiring the senate
first vote proposition before the senate sla
first adjudge in voting the resolutions OF the Com
mittee whether Caldwell was entitled to the seat he
held He desired snnply TO have action on both IN the
order in which they appeared for consideration before
Mr.. MORTON Rep., IndJ, here interrupting, said as
Chairman OF the Committee ne III ms hisI speech, pg ,
tempted to discuss the question OF expulsion lie i0ph
and favors expulsion but the majority Of the Commit
tee thought proper to present resolution declaring tue
seat vacant rather than of expulsion ,,
Mr FERRY resumng said he would not commit him
self IN advance to the merits OF the questions IN
yolved but should approach each of them with the re-
spect due TO the States action and his constitutional
duty TO deal reidy with official wrong, He then offered
an amendment 70 the amendment pending 10 place oacf
The drst question substantially where il first appeared
from the Committee, as follows: -.
Ies AIaoas Of S1"g s s % 500 s a Sy the Ksns
Mr. ALCORN Qlep., MIssJ briefly discussed the ques-
ton Jurisdiction maintaining tat the Constitution
makes the act Of the Legislature III me eeCtOh O oo"
atOr a subject of review 10y the senate
Mr. O. 5. PERRY IS Favor OF EXPULSION.
ur. FERRY Rep. Conn) in explaining the reasons
for having heretofore offered amendment TO the Com
mitees resolution proposing the expulsion Of Caldwell
said in examining all the evidence he was unable to
avoid the conclusion that the election In January, 1871,
was effected by bribery in the interest Of Caldwell tnc
purchase money having been paid by Caldwell himself
Having arrived at this conclusion OF fact, IL
seemed TO he essential, not slhpy 10 the ugnlliy
feeling of tho country but for the preservation OF the
Institutions under which we live, that the Senate shoud
in some way emphatically express condemnation of the
according to common law aud usage running
throngb ali the English decisions until brbed
vote il no vote and II II be found that brbed votes ell
fected The election they must be cast out and the cleo
tion yoidcd. When charges were made that a Sena-
torIa election was procured by bribery, it was the
hOunden duty of the Senate under tho cOnsttutlOnd
clause that made the Senate the judge OF the election
qualification and returns Of s member To inquire mo
the facts The Senate was component part OF our
Government which was organized that corruption
could not exist without destroying the liberties and
prosperty of the people, When such men obtain seats
here merely for personal glory without Regard 10 cOun
try when great corporations. which advancing with
grand steps obtain control aud when state Legislatures
ayo become corrupt To SEND unworthy men To I'M,
our hopes ana republican government become shaiD
and the way prepared Tor the rule OI IlOeflus or
Spme time was spent in exchange Of views to fixing
the order in which the pending proposition shall be
voted on but no arrangement was made. No Senator
rising 70 continue the debate, the closing speech de
yOlycd on Mr. MORTON (iep., Ind.), VINO said he was
not ready 10 do today and moved that the Senate 20
INTO Executive session. which was agreed 10.
Upon coming out of Executive session the Senate al
lOuIDe1.