The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1873-02-27

March 4, 1873 1t was voted not TO receive petit
tons by vote of 20 10 L.. The Senate resumed
| the consideration of the Caldwell case. mr..
Alcorn moved that Senator Caldwell be expelled.
He said he introduced the resolution to save
time, but he did not abandon the report of the
Committee on Privileges and Elections. Mr.
Logan concluded his remarks in favor of Cald-
well. He insisted that the testimony against
him was unworthy of belief. MIR. Acorn as
serted that the testimony against Caldwell was
incontrovertibe, and that the Senate was insulted
by the sending there of a senator chosen under
such influences. Mr.. buckingham insisted that
the means used by Mr.. Caldwell were corrupt
and against public policy, and should make his
election void. Without final action, the Senate
went into executive session, and afterwards
adjourned.
On March Ia, after the usual discussion
on the propriety freceiving petitions, the Sem
ate resumed the ,nsideration of the Caldwell
case Mr. Scott s, d he could not agree with the
Com ttee in 6eclai ing the election of Mr.. Cald-
well old. He should not yield to the clamor
more than he would shield friend If he had
committed wrong. Mr.. Morrill,, of Vermont,
argued that the Senate was the guardian amor OF the
every sentiment of truth and justice to see that
seats should not be made merchandise of by the
entcrprisipg traders of any State Mr. Schurz
argued that the provision that each House shall
be the judge of the election returns of its men,
bers goes not only to the forms but to the essence
of the election. He said Caldwell could never
have been elected but for the corrupt use of
money. He stated that he should vote for the
resolution declaring tnat caldwell was not uuly
elected, and fthat failed should vote for his ex-
pulsion. Without final action, the Senate went
into executive session, and afterwards adjourned
until March II.
On March II, the Vice President SUBJ
mtted papers and documents signed by members
of the Missouri Senate and House of Representa-
tives, alleging that there was corruption in the
election of Senator Bogy referred to Committee
ON Privileges and Elections. "A resolution di-
recting the Committee on Rules to inquire into
the expedencv of amending the rules, was offer
ed and laid over. Senator Boutwell, was sworn
in by the Vice President The Caldwell resolu-
tons were taken up. Mr.. salisbury said that the
proper remedy in the case of Mr.. Caldwell was
expulsion, because the Senator was indissolubly
connected with transactions which tainted his
character. Mr.. Pratt said he should vote for the
resolutions of the Committee. The conduct of
Caldwell was immoral and corrupt and impaired
t1e freedom of elections. Mr.. Bayard said the
Senate could only ascertain whether the Legisla-
ture of Kansas had chosen the Senator, and be-
yond this it could not go. There was nothing in
the pending case which could justify the passage
of the resolution declaring the election invalid
but the power ofeNpulsion was clear in vindica-
ton of the honor and dignity of the Senate: The
discussion was further continued by Messrs.
out reaching q vote, the Senate went into execu-
tive session, and soon after adjourned.
On March Is, Senator Bogy, of Mis-
souri,, detailed the circumstances attending the
recent Senatorial election in that State, and an
nounced that he should suspend his functions as
senator until lne lHTeuleneu lnNeSlSutlOn WIS
concluded. The Senate resumed the considera-
tion of the Caldwell case. Mr.. Norwood said the
Senate has an undoubted right to declare void an
election procured by bribery and fraud: Mr..
Thurman said the result of his examination
of the case that Caldwell's election was thor
oughly corrupt. Mr.. Carpenter, of the Commit
tee said that he dissented from the finding of the
Committee. The Senate, without reaching
vote, went into executive session, and soon after
adjourned.
On March 10, Senator Wright moved that
the Senate consider his amendment to the Rules,
previously offered, that the previous question may
be demanded by majority vote. The resolution
was discussed at length by several Senators, and
finally defeated by 35 yeas to S0nays. The Com.
missioner of Agriculture was instructed by vote
to send his annual report to the Senate. The
resolution favoring the appointment of n COM
mittee on the levees of the Mississippi river, with
leave to sit during the recess, was declared out of
order. =. The Senate resumed the consideration
of the Caldwell case. Mr.. Conklng spoke at
! length criticising the report of the committee,
| and insisting that the Senate without power
to declare an election void, even if acts of bribe-
ry were proven. The utmost the Senate could
do was to eXpel the offending member. Before
the conclusion of Mr.. Conklng's remarks, the
Senate adjourned.