The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1873-03-20

Senator Norwood Sustains Nor.
toms Resolution.
Senator B0gy Desires an Investi.
cation.
SENATE.

"ASulH0ION, Mofc0 1S.7oen1b0f Boy
Of Missouri, arising to question of priv
iege, said that during his absence yes:erds,
memorial vas presented from cestail
members Of the Missouri Legislature, askinl
the Senate to investigate the charges Of in
proper means, bribery and corruption in d,
procurement Of his election. He then no
ceeded to relate the circumstances uule,
which be vas elected. In that contet j,
vas alleged that money had been used, sui
at no other time was he or his distikuiahed
coupetitors charged with using money.
One man, however, without political die
tinction but Of large fortune, vas chsged
With having made use Of his money to buy
his seat. Immediaiely alter his Bog ~
election . resolution vas paced BY the
House Of Representatives for the appointmeot
OF . COMMITTEES 10 inquire whether money
wa improperly used in the Senatorial dec
ton attsr nearly one month. The commit.
Tee made . lengthy report in shich il vas
said there vas no evidence directly or ndi-
rectly 70 convict Senator EJECT Bogy, and Ne
fully exones,ied him. The committee also
found that no member Of the General Assem-
bly, received money directly OF indirectly to
influence hin vote, at his instance. The
committee extended the investigation and
made another report, reafirmingthe 6st re-
port and ssking that thy b discharged.
This matter, it Was thought, was ended, but
it appeared that some Of the Republicans had
presented . memorial to the senate asking
for an investigation. The memorial vas in
general terms. 1t did nos Say anything
could be proved. This Vas . natter
of great importance. Here WA 4
state which had ~ bright . record
AND WHOSE EsCUTCHEON
was As clear Of stain a that of any other
State. and therefore he might we'll claim, rs
= right due himself and State, that the
Senate at once take up the case. II be had
any reputation for anything above another
it was that Of being IN honest man, and
though he admitted he was an ardent poll
tician he had never been charged With cor
rup,ion. He did not like to be held up be-
fore the country n q man Who had Obtained
his seat here BY improper means. He could
not vote to expel or retain any member Of
This body while he himself vas subject to
Under these circumstances
he should suspend his functions on all such
question:.
The Senate then resumed the consideration
Of the Caldwell case.
Senator Norwood said the Senate had
perfect and absolute power to declare void
IN election
PROCURED BY BRIBERY AND FRAUD,
and remit the matter to the State for new
election.
Senator Thurman said that the result Of
his examination Of the testimony was. that
CALDWELL WAS THOROUGHLY CORRUPT.
He had examined much evidence in his
lime, AID never had he seen evidence 20
and dan,ning ~ this. He found
that the Committee on Privileges and Elec-
ions had unanimously reported the most Of
The material facts.
MR. CARPENTER REPLIED
that a. member Of the committee he dis
sented from the finding Of facts, but had not
lime to write dissenting report.
Mr.. Thurman did mt dely what the Sen
ltor said, but he found the facts in the report
npon which they were called to act, if they
did not turn out man whose
ELECTION WAS PROCURED BY FRAUD,
or declare the seat vacant until they OBJ
lained stronger testimony the power to do
this might - veil be stricken from the Con-
stitut;on. The legal argument wss confined
10 narrow compass.
THE SENATE HAS POWER
under the constitution to judge Of the cleo
lion, qualifications and returns Of its mem
berr, and therefore it cannot
be a violation Of State Rights to
exercise the power conferred in that
instrument. No further debate took place.
Senator Window offered . resolution that
he Committee on Transportion be authoriz-
I'd to act during recess and report to the Sen
ate ON the subject Of transportation between
The interior and seacoast, with power to send
for persons, papers and etc. The Senate
hen vent into executive session and after
wards adjourned.