New-York tribune., 1873-03-18
II. q. sENATE-sPEcIAL SESSION.

Us sENATE-sPEcIAL SESSION.
w,smssros Monday, March IT, 1878.
m. v,cy.ppps,pKsr submitted papers ant
documents signed by members OF tno os'S'"'u'o VI
M,ssouri and Others alleging that there was corruption
In the election OF Louis vital Bogy as Senator from thai
ntt" ~ W. Referred 10 the Committee Privileges and
Elections. .,, c,o,
The resolution declaring the scat OF Alexander Cad-
well RepD of Kansas vacant was then taken up and Mr.
SALISBURY dem, Dell addressed the Senate, arguing
that there nothing precedents that could bind the
Senate the proper course to be pursued In hs case
Absolutely controlled by the discretion the Senate and
the power to declare the election by the Kansas Legs
atnre void he Gessd tas Ss sPet seeor %es M
with transactions which tainted his CHARACTER
from Mississippi Acorn) that reported from the Com
mtee declaring that Caldwell was not duy ana iegMy
Influences the senate owed It itself TO that the
body was purged Of such an unworthy member
MR.. BOUTWELL, SWORN IN.
At12:.5 n. M, senator-elect Boutwell, came into the
Senate Chamber, accompanied by Senator Sumner uAo'
Rep Mass) and Gen. Butler. Mr.. Boutweps ere den
uals as Senator elected l the vacancy caused by
the resignation OF tho Hon. Henry Wilson Of Massa-
been presented by Mr. Sumner and read
the Vce-President administered the 0ath OF once anu
welcomed him to the Senate.
Mr.. PRATT sUsTAHs THE CALDWELL REPORT.
Mr. PRATT (Rep., IndJ said that after murder no
ofense was more emphatically rebuked than bribery
because 1t sapped the foundations OF society," and was
therefore, against justice. good morals, and pubic
policy IL was found by the Committee that Caldweli
was guilty OF brbey and that in their opinion this In
ya ated the election He confined MS remarks 10 tnt
carney which ne characterized corrupt IL amounted
10 purchase of the votes which Carney could control in
the Committee because Caldwell was a party TO
the corrupt Carney arrangement ana money
all In his power TO preserve the ancient glory OF
this chamber, and Inaintain its character in ITS
nf thn ne
II Senators allowed their sympa9es to control their
conviction OF duty. The conduct OF Caldwell was ,in
moral and corrupt and IL impaired the freedom OF cleo
AN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
On motion Of Mr.. CONKLING tRep., N. ~ the Senate
went into executive session.
THE CALDWELL CASE RESUMED.
When the doors were opened the consideration Of the
Caldwell was resumed
Mr.. BAYARD CDem., DELI said the danger In Ameri-
lean politics is chiefly in the party dominant sup
porting public without reference TO authority
10 do so under the delegated powers IN the Constitution
The time and manner OF the election OF Senator must
be accordance with law. The Senate could not IN
quire into the motives OF Legislature which cast It's
ballots declared its wishes Tue SENATE could not uh
derake to Try or punish mempers OF tne Legsare @ iy M
on the qualifications OF members OF the Legislature tnan
the latter could Judge OF the action OF this body Tns
could ascertain only whether the legislature had
Senator and beyond TINS the senate cOulu DO.
CO. There was nothing in the pending case which cond
Justify the passage of the resolution declaring the eee
tion invalid The Senate had no rgt ~ Try the legsa
ate did try Legislature when IL undertook to yaeae
the act Of the legislature The Senate however mac
the right try accused member on technical rules
on the broad question or public safety. ana
whether he worthy or an unworthy
member of this body But the power OF expulsion was
clear in vndcaon OF the honor aud dignity OF the Sen.
ate He had the CONCLUSION that large sums OF
money paid TO secure votes for Mr. Caldwell ana
that Mr.. Caldwell had knowledge thereof, and so was
implicated in the transaction. The man who committed
such an Offense unworthy OF seat here HIS con-
duct demanded his expulsion with all others like him.
Mr. SHERMAN hoped that the subject would De
disposed OF before adjournment, on "Wednesday.
MIR MORTON trusted this would be done by unani-
nous consent.
Mr. CAMERON tRep., PennJ trusted there would be
such agreement would bring the debate TO an early
close. .,---.,-.
Mr.. SHERMAN submitted a motion that the subject
before them be disposed Of before the adjournment on
Wednesday evening.
Mr.. CONKLING did not understand what the Senator
from Ohio by dispOsng of the there was
but one resolution before the Senate THAT OF the Com
mttee) while the other, submitted by the Senator from
Mississippi (Mr. AlcOrn) for expulsion was contingent
The latter resolution involved the question Of law on
Delaware (Mr Bayard). He candid enough TO admit
he had the time to through the evidence, but
whatever IL might be IL could not change his
the right Of the Senate TO adopt the psndins
resolution This like ordinary proceedings
in legislation; II was judicial proceeding; every
Senator here judge OF tho law, or juror OF the
facts, or Judge OF mixed question OF law and fact
They should therefore consult, endeavor 10 ehlRnten
and try to agree something upon which the senate
can repose He felt himself bound much as any other
Senator know the whole OF the case and 10 assume
the whole OF his responsibility.
No further proceedings took place on the pending
question.
The Senate then adjourned.