Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-03-26
CIayton's Case before rhe United States
Senate

WASHINGTON, March 25.-In the sem
ate to-day, Senator Norwood, who was
entitled to the aoor, preferred that tho
senate proceed TO the consideration Of
the CLAYTON case. In addition to the
views presented by him in his minority
report, he proceeded to explain the tes-
timony, showing that Clayton, as gov
ernor, welded his executive power in q
manner unjustly from the beginning
Of the senatorial canvass to its close.
CLAYTON did other things showing that
his election was corrupt, both in its in
ception and consummation. Clayton
could not have come 20 the senate but
for these things, and the additional fact
of his corrupt use of money in his trans
action with White, the senate has, un-
der the evidence presented, the right TO
declare Clayton not entitled to a seat.
Senator Wright said he would have
elections free and unbiased as far as
possible. He should not object to the
passage of law providing that the seat
of a senator shall be declared vacant il
If should be shown that he had left his
seat here and was at the Legislature
at the time of his election, or undertook,
either in person or through friends, TO
influence his election. There was no
testimony that should influence the
mind Of a single senator as a juror,
showing that Clayton even improperly
sought to in1uance the registration IN
political convention in Arkansas.
He undertook to ssy that there
was nothing whatever TO impeach
his first or second election, and that
Cl8yton's conduct in connection with
his election was without parallel In our
politics.
Senator Norwood said Clayton never
pretended TO deny any statement that
White made. The declaration stood
uncontrsdicted that five thousand dol
lars was paid to White for resigning as
secretary Of state. II came from the
senator from Arkansas.
Senator Clayton, replying, did not
deny Mr.. Whites testimony. Mr..
White did not say anywhere that he
(Clayton) paid him money for his resig-
nation.
in reply to Senator Morrill,, Senator
CLAYTON said he did not contribute any
part Of five thousand dollars in money
or bonds.
Senator Norwood, resuming, said
that when Clayton was on the stand he
did not explain that the money and
bonds were not his property; he did moi
then explain as he dia now that he wa:
simply an agent for the transferring o
property from debtor 10 creditor.
Senator Norwood referred to the testi
mony to sustain his views previously
expressed. a-
Referring to the witness, Mcconnell
| in that connection, Senator Dorsey sale
that when Mcconnell first came TO tina
| State be attached himself to a newspa
paper; that be was a professional liar,
wanton and vile slaD6erer; man VIII,
had laid in the gutter and slept in tn
stationhouse; and that his testimon.
was unworthy OF belief.
The question wss then stated on tn
resolution of the committee, viz: ''Tha
the charges nla6e and referred to a sc
! lect committee for Investigation, affect
ing the official character and conduct o
Hon. Powell Clayton, are not sus
/ tained."
Senator Salisbury said lie should de
cline 10 vote, as he had not had time
examine the testimony. ~F
Senator McCreary remarked that b
was paired with Cameron, although b
did not know a0W Cameron would y9t
were he hers. Laughter,
Senator Stevenson said he should "a