The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-03-24
SENATE...EXTRA SESSION.

WASHINGTON, March 29.-The Senate
Caldwell investigation.
Mr.. Ferry, Of Michigan, regretted thai
the Senator from Connecticut Ferry had
submitted resolution Of expulsion. He
had given close attention to the debate on
the question whether bribery invalidates
the election oil q member. This debate
was confined to the legality Of the act by
which Caldwell held his seat. It appeared
that the majority Of the Committee on
Elections were in doubt as 10 the proper
method to be pursued, therefore they
chose the present question involving the
validity OF his election.
Mr.. Morton interrupted Mr. Ferry's
remarks as to the resolutions already penC'
Ing from different Senators on the subject,
and said that he, as chairman Of the COM
mittee, took the ground that the Senate
had the choice Of remedies and favored
expulsion, but the majority OF the ccm-
mIttee thought proper to present reso-
luton declaring hh seat vacant rather
than expulsion.
Mr.. Ferry reSuming said he would not
commit himself In advance as to the
merits OF the questions involved, but
should approach each Of them with the
respect due TO the State action and his
constitutional duty to deal rigidly with
official wrong. He then offered an
amendment 10 the amendment pending
TO place back the first question substan-
TALLY where 1t frat appeared from the
committee, as follows: "That Alexander
Caldwell be and Is hereby declared to
have been elected Senator OF the United
States by the Legislature Of Kansas"
Mr.. Alcorn rose and discussed the
question, maintaining that the Constitu-
ton makes the act Of tho Legislature in
the election ot Senator subject of re-
view by the Senate.
Mr.. Ferry IN explaining his reasons in
having heretofore offered the amend
ment to the committees resolution pro.
posing the expulsion Of Caldwell said In
examining all the evidence he was IN.
able to avoid the conclusion that the elec.
tion in January, 1879, was effected by
bribery. in the interest Of Caldwell, the
purchase money having been paid by
Caldwell himself. Having arrived at
this conclusion Of facts 1t seemed
to be essential, not only 10 apply to the
dignity and honor Of the Senate and to
the state Of the public feeling Of the coun.
try, but for the preservation Of the insti-
tutiona under which we live, that the
Senate should, in some way, emphat-
ic4lly express condemnation ot the trans.
action. According to the common law and
usage running through all English de.
cisiOns until now, that bribed vote Is no
vote, II 1t be found that brlbed votes
effected an election, they must be cast
out and the election Voided. When the
charges were. made that the Senatorial
election was procured by bribery, 1t was
the bounden duty OF the Senate, under the
Constitutional clause that makes the Sen.
ate Judge oI election and qualifications, to
inquire into the facts.
Some time was spent in exchange OF
views as to fixing the order inl which the
pending propositions shall be voted on,
but no arrangement was made. No Sen.
ator rising to continue the debate, the
closing speech devolved on Mr.. Morton.
He said be was not ready. to do 80 to-day,
and moved that the Senate 60 into an
Executive session, which was agreed to,
and upon rsopening Of doors adjourned.