Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-03-15
CONGRESSIONAL.
The Extra Session of the Senate.
A Resolution to Dispose Of Patterson
Kansas Caldwell Further Discussed.

Kansas Caldwell Further Discussed.
WASHINGTON, March 14.-The Vice
President hss returned and resumed the
chair. He presented q memorial asking
that the papers in the case of the Kansas
Senatorial election be taken from the files
and referred to the Committee on Elec-
tioEs.
A Rowing Commission.
Mr.. Chandler offered q resolution au-
thorizing the Committee on Commerce to
sit during recess, investigating the subject
of subsidy as to steamship lines, and what
lines should be subsidized, also into the
propriety of granting bounties to ship build
ers, the committee to have leave to visit
Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and
Boston, with power to send for persons and
papers and employ stenographers that the
expenses thereof be paid out OF the con-
tingent fund of the Senate.
Mr.. Casserly hoped the resolution would
lie over, and suggested thatait be modified
so as to include the Pacific coast, where
there is the finest pinetimber in the world.
The resolution lies over.
MObilier Patterson.
Mr.. Anthony submitted q resolution
which lies over, reciting the resolution re-
ported at the last session for the expulsion
of j. w. Patterson, and the inability of the
Senate to consider tie cause for want'of
time; also saying it is questionable whether
said resolution could be now considered,
inasmuch as Patterson is no longer MEM
Der, and therefore declaring that the failure
of the Senate to act upon said resolution is
not to be interpreted as an approval or dis
approval of the same, and that Patterson
have leave to make written statement for
publication in the Congressional record.
The Right of Petition.
Mr.. Howe again sought to have petitions
received.
Mr.. Sherman opposed petitions seeking
legislation, but had no objections to receiV-
ing and fling them as in 1861.
Mr.. Anthony thought they might take the
most liberal construction and receive petit
tions though not act upon them.
Mr.. Howe cited precedents to show that
petitions had heretofore been received and
referred.
After further debate the Senate decided
not to receive the petitions which Mr.. Howe
desired to present, "a against 81.
CaIdwelIs Case.
Mr. Scott after briefly reviewing the re-
port of the committee said he could not
bring his mind to the conclusion that its
finding is cause for setting aside the election
of Caldwell. If the people themselves do
not exercise the power from the primary
meeting to the election, they are the suffer
ers, but they have the remedy in their own
hands. He was painfully brought to the
conclusion that Caldwell's business capacity
should have kept him out of the hands OF
men whom he should have avoided like
lepers. Like the man who went down to
Jericho, he
Fell Among Thieves.
He wished he could say that Caldwell turn
ed his back upon them. While not seeking
to influence the judgment of his fellow jur-
DTS, he should not yield TO the clamor which
demanded the sacrifice of victim any more
than he would shield friend from wrong
committee.
Mr.. Morr IL, of Vermont, argued thai tbs
Senate was the guardian of the rights of the
State. The question was whether the Sen-
lte would suffer this record to stand as a
W UO fOuUWcu IOI all GiLuo W
,ome; or shall it be stamped as a corrupt
,argain. The money paid was a round
um, TO capture by wholesale rather than
u detail. The Senate was bound By every
eminent of truth and justice to see that
Is seats shall no be made
Merchandise
y the most enterprising traders of any
'tate a seat purchased with money |
'rings disgrace on any State. The extreme |
Medicine of the Constitution must be ad- |
and Kansas have an opportunity |
o put herself right before the world, with
'ut spot or blemish, and without a iustifi- |
alton of a $4,000 bribe. In conclusion,
dr. Morrill, said he would vote for Cald- |
Tell's expulsion if the resolution now pend
ng in a milder form declaring he was not
uly and legally elected shall not be adopted.
Mr. Schurz argued that the constitution
! choice, aeach house shall have power to
ldge of the election returns and qualifica-
ions of its own members" not only goes
o the forms but the essence Of election.
Ie was a firm defender Of constitutional
tate rights and local government, but
ffirmed that the constitution did not give a
Overeign State control over its Senators.
When once elected, Senator is entirely
nd completely out of control of the State,
s a member of the House of Representa-
ives is out of the control of his constituent
y. The State could neither recall nor re-
onsider the election of Senator. The
enate, however, could apply a remedy,
Ould expel Senator, and thus
Enable the State
D make new election. Mr.. Caldwell
Tas, in his efforts to be elected Senator,
by men of low degree, notori-
us for low tricks and plans of corruption.
he Legislature was transformed into a
larket where votes were bought and sold,
nd as he read in the testimony, Mr.. Cald-
rell was elected by such influences. Mr..
Ialdwell would never have been elec.ed,
ut for the corrupt use of money.
Mr.. SchurZ in this connection spoke Of
le corrupt lobby influence and the judg-
lent and conscience of those who give the
1untry its laws and take money out of the
ockets of the many to put it in the hands
the few. When it should become known
lat seats could be purchased here, the
lies and purchases would multiply as the
lterest and rapacity increased. He stated
g should vote for the resolution declaring
lat Caldwell was not duly and legally
ected. If this resolution should fiil, then |
, should vote for the resolution of the
enatOr from Mississippi for Caldwelrs ex-
llsion.
The Senate without further action in
aldwell's case went into Executive ses-
A., 4 ,a,l I,