The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-29
COLFAX CONFUSED.

The Vice President Calls for q Senate
rial Committee to Investigate His Conc
duct-SenatOr Pratt His Only Sup
porter-Thurman, OF Ohio, Explains
that 1t is impossible, and that the
Matter Keats with the House.
WASHINGTON, Jan. %, 1873.
Immediately after the Vice President raped the
Senators to order this morning he rose and ad-
dressed the Senators as follows:-
SENAroRs-Before commencing the morning
business ask your indulgence for few remarks
personal to myself In my relations to this body
as Its presiding ofcer grave charges, affecting my
character as man, before the American people,
and do not underrate the circumstantial evidence
by which they are supported. But, con-
scious OF my innocence and my rectitude,
fe epmnitee Of Senator'S maKs the
most thorough and exhaustive investigation into
these charges, with Authority to send for persons
and papers, and q majority OF which committee
shall be Senators politically opposed to me. The
Senator from Rhode Island will please take the
chair.
Mr.. ANTHONY (rep) took the chair as presiding
officer.
Mr.. PRATT, repJ OF Ind.-Representing as do
in part the State OF which the Vice President is
citizen 1t Is proper that should move the appoint
ment Of a committee IN accordance with the wish
which he has just expressed. In dong that de-
sire to say that do not wish myself to be APP
pointed member OF that committee, and, perhaps,
II is not out OF place that should say upon this
casion that having known the Vice President from
his youth have the most perfect confidence in
HIS TRUTH, HIS INTEGRITY AND HIS HONOR.
have seen or heard to convince the people of the
state Of Indiana that he is dishonest or dishon-
orable man. In compliance with the wish he has
expressed, now move the appointment of CON-
mlttee OF five.
present advised, vote Tor the appointment or any
such committee. II the Vice President were
pei, it would be very proper that this BODY should
appoint committee 10 investigate the charges
against him, and 1t would be very improper for any
other tribunal than the Senate to take that course
or to do anything In the matter further than to re-
fer to the Senate any evidence that might have
come out in an investigation elsewhere: but
THE VICE PRESIDENT Is AN OFFICER THE Gov
ERNMENT;
the Senate has no power over him to eXpeI or 10
ceAsure him. II he has been guilty OF ANYTHING
that subjects him to punishment it is by impeaci-
ment. and that can only originate in the House Of
will satisfy the House OF Representatives that he
ought to be mpeached It Is the duty Of the House
to his guilt or his innocence until
called upon as Judges to deliver our verdict. We
cannot enter into an investigation of his conduct
and forestal JUDGMENT u he be guilty i is the
innocent it is the duty OF the House TO refrain
from impeaching him. Our duty, If such charges
come to us. will be the duty Of judges or jury, and
vance. DO not say that the senate
Of an Individual where tne nysstisaon becomes
necessary in considering some public measure upon
wnich we nave to pass In legislative capacity;
but that Is not his case. The paper just read BY
the Vice President informs US that certain charges
duplicating his private character have been made
the subject OF investigation elsewhere With that
we have nothing to do, unless 1t comes to us in the
mode appointed by the constitution, and we have
no right by any investigation OF ours to forestai
THE ACTION OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
or to AFFECT the investigation in way, whatever,
either favorably or unfavorably. can very we'll
understand the motives which induced the vice
President 70 make tsis communication to the SEN
ate, and can very well understand why he should
ask this body over which he presides to investigate
this matter; but he has made mistake and how
ever honorable may be his motives in asking the
investigation the Senate ought not to order It
hope, therefore, the senator rom Indiana Or.
Pratt, will not press this molten.
The President pro tenn. INT. Anthony, then put
the question ami the motion was lost, Mr. Pratt
alone voting In the Affirmative