Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-01-29
CONGRESSIONAL.
The John Trevor of America
How History Repeats Itself.
SENATE.

How History Repeats Itself.
SENATE.
SmiIer C0ifax Asks to be Invesftgat-
ed; and the Senate Decides He must
be Impeached If Guilty.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2S.-Vice President
Colfax made personal explanation as fol
lows: Senator's: Before commencing the
morning business ask your indulgence Tor
a few remarks personal to myself in my
relations to this body as Its presiding OIL
Ger. Grave charges affecting my character
as man are before the American people,
and l do not underrate the circumstantial
evidence by which they are supported; but
conscious of my innocence and my recti-
tude, respectfully ask for the appointment
of q committee of Senators to make more
horough and exhaustive investigation into
these charges, with authority to send for
persons and papers, and the majority OF
which committee shall be Senators political
ly opposed to me, the Senator from Rhode
Island as the Presiding officer.
Mr.. Pratt remarked: Representing as l
so, in part, the State of which the Vice
President is citizen, it Is proper that l
should move the appointment of q commit
tee in accordance with the wish which he
has just expressed. In doing that desire
to say 1 don't wish myself to be ap-
pointed on that committee, and perhaps
it is not out OF place that should say upon
this occasion, that, having known the Vice
President from bis youth, have the most
perfect confidence in his truth, his integri-
ty and his honor. 1t would require great
deal more evidence than l have seen or
heard to convince the people of the State of
Indiana that he is a dishonest or dishonor-
able man. In compliance with the wish he
has expressed now move the appointment
of committee of five.
MIR. Thurman cannot, as at present
advised, vote for the appointment of any
such committee. If the Vice President
were member of this body-iffwe had the
power to expel-it would be very proper
that this body should appoint committee
to investigate any charges against him, and
it would be very improper for any other tri-
bunal than the Senate to take that course,
or to do anything in the matter further than
TO refer to the Senate any evidence that
might have come out in an investigation
elsewhere. But the Vice President is an
officer Of the Government. The Senate has
no power over him to expel or censure him.
If he has been guilty Of anything that sub
Jects him to punishment 1t is
by impeachment, and that
can only originate , In the House
of Representatives. If evidence be pro-
duced that satisfies the House of Repre-
sentative5 that he ought to be impeached,
it is the duty of that House to impeach
him, and it is the duty of the Senate not to
form any opinion as to bis guilt or limo
cence until evidence is produced and we
are called upon as judges to deliver our
verdict. We cannot enter into an investi-
cation of his conduct and forestal jQdg-
ment. II he be guilty, it is the duty of the
House to impeach him; and if he be inno-
cent, 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 it is not for us to inves-
| tigate in advance. l do not say that the
Senate has no power to investigate the con-
duct of an individual where the inyestiga-
tion becomes necessary in considering some
public measure upon which we have to pass
in our legislative capacity; out that is not
this case. The paper read by the Vice
| President informs Us that certain charges
made the subject Of investigation else
where. With that we have nothing to do,
unless it comes TO us in the mode appoint
ed by the Constitution, and we have no
right by any investigation Of ours to FORE
stall the action of the House Of Represent
atives as to affect that investigation in any
way whatever. | can very well understand
| the motives which induced the Vice-Presi-
| Har1t fn 20 fIio r1io n tha
| Senate, and l can very well understand
why he should ask this body, over which
he presides, to investigate this matter; but
he has made mistake, aDd however hon
orable may be bis motives in asking an in
vestigation, the Senate ought not to order
it. l hope, therefore, the Senator from
Indiana (PratD will not press bis motion.
The President, pro tenn. (Anthony) then
| put the question, and the motion was lost,
Mr.. Pratt alone voting in the affirmative.
Spies and Informers.
Mr.. Thurman offered resolution which
was agreed to, directing the Secretary ofthe
| Treasury to inform the Senate as to the ag-
esate amount of money proceeding from
fines, compromises ard seizures paid since
1st June, 1869, to officers, detectives and
informers, with the specific amount receiv-
ed by each.
Mr.. Upton introduced a bill to pay DR..
| Mary E. Walker for services in the army.
100000 for I.eOkers.On I'm vienna.
On motion of Mr.. Sehurz, the amend
mentS Of the House to the Vienna eXposi-
| tion bill were concurred in. The bill is
therefore passed.
& Mr.. Winslow, from the Committee on
Public Lands, reported without amendment
bill to incorporate the Arkansas Valley
and Cimarron railroad company.
LOyaIty-Inereasing Salaries.
Consideration of legislative appropriation
bill was resumed and the amendment offer
ed by Mr., Morrill,, of Vermont, yesterday,
requiring that no judgment of the Court of
Claims shall be paid except to persons
whose loyalty has been proved, agreed ito.
Mr.. Morrill, explained that it was aimed
| principally against Lamar, one of the most
obnoxious Rebels this country had ever
seen.
Mr.. Sherman revived his amendment Of
fered last week for raising the salaries Of
! numerous executive officers. Adopted.
On motion of Mr.. ConkliDg, the Secreta-
ry of the Senate was directed to cause a
statement to be prepared showing the &C
ton of the Senate and the House Of Repre-
sentstives in examining and counting the
Electoral votes for President and Vice Pres
ident from 1889 down.
Mr.. Hall said he was instructed by the
Committee on Privileges and Elections to
offer an amendment raising the salaries OF
members of Congress to $1,000 per year.
Mr. Wright moved to lay the amendment
on the table. Agreed to, yeas So, nays l3.
Mr.. Buckingham formally announced the
death of Hon. Julius L. Strong, late Rep
resentatiVe from Connecticut, and he and
Mr-Ferry eulogized the deceased.
HOUSE.
The House took up the bill for the sd-
mission Of Colorado as State which was
discussed until O'Clock when the death of
julius L. Strong was announced ard appro-
tnFn oI;r ofta fol, ha