The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-03-25
EXTRA SESSION OF THE SENATE.

WASHINGTON, March a.
The Senate met at noon and the Vice Presi-
dent laid before the Senate letter from Sena-
tor Caldwell, saying that he had resigned his
seat in the Senate, and enclosing copy of the
letter he had sent to the office of the Chief
Executive of the State of Kansas. The resig-
nation is to take effect Immediately. He also
sends receipt of the Governor of Kansas, now
in this city, to whom he handed copy of his
letter of resignation.
Mr.. Wright of Iowa, inquired whether the
Senator from Indiana (Morton) proposed to
take any further steps in the case.
Mr.. Morton replied that it was not competent
for the Senate to expel a man not Senator or
declare the seat vacant Therefore he consid-
cred his duties as chairman of the Committee
on Elections, at an end.
Mr.. Wright moved that the Senate take up
the Clayton case. After debate it vas decid-
ed to take up the Clayton case-yeas 49, nays
a. The resolution before the Senate was as
follows:
ReSolred. That the charges made and refer
red to select committee of the last Congress
affecting the official character and conduct of
Powell Clayton are not sustained.
MIR. Wright said he, after consultation with
the other members of the committee, had come
to the conclusion that the subject should go
over to-day, as the Senate did not nor seem
prepared for its discussion, but would be to-
morrow.
The report of the committee in the case was
read. No further action was taken.
Mr.. Anthony submitted the following, which
was adopted:
Resolued, That there be printed and bound,
with an index to be prepared under the direc-
ton of the Committee on Printing, the Con
gressional record for the present executive ses-
sion of the Senate, ten copies for each Senator,
the Vice President and Secretary of the Senate,
five copies for each member of the House, two
copies for each Executive Department, five
copies each for the libraries of Congress, of the
Senate and of the House, and 300 copies to be
sold by the Congre ssional printer at the cost of
the press work, paper and binding.
= Mr.. Windham submitted the following,
which was laid over:
y. Resolued That the Select Committee on
Transportation routes to the seaboard, be di-
rected to inquire and report to the Senate at its
obligation subsisting between railroad compan-
les and the postal service of the country, and
whether and what additional legislation is nee
essary to guard the postal service against inter-
ruption or injury by hostile action ON the part
of any or all of said companies.
Mr.. Morton offered the following, which was
read and ordered to be printed:
Rssolyed, That the Senate of the United
States has received with joy the intelligence
that the Republican Government of Spa: has
abolished slavery in the Island of Porto Rico
and raised the colored people of that island
frou; the condition of slaves to the rights and
privileges of citizens of the Spanish Republic.
ResoIved, That by this act the people of Spain
have gwen new assurance to the world; that
in establishing Republican institutions they are
actuaued by a genuine love of liberty and sim
cere regard for the natural rights of all men,
and that it will be accepted as an omen of the
The Senate went into executive session and
soon after adjourned