The Portland daily press., 1873-03-19
EXTRA SESSION OF THE SENATE.
yu.su,ScroN March Is.

WASHINGTON, March Is.
Senator Bogy, of Missouri, said that during
his absence yesterday memorial was present
ed from certain members of the Missouri Leg
lslature asking the Senate to investigate the
charges ofimproper means of bribery and corrup-
ton IN the procurement of his election He
then proceeded to relate the circumstances un-
der which he was elected. In that contest it
was alleged that money had been used but at
no time was he or his distinguished competitor
charged with using money One man how
ever, without political distinction, but of large
fortune. was charged with having made up his
mind to buy the seat Immediately after his
(Bogys) election, a resolution was passed by
the House of Representatives for the appoint
ment of a committee to enquire whether
money was improperly used in the Senatoria
election. After nearly month the committee
made lengthy report in which it was said that
there was no evidence, directly or indirectly, to
criminate Senator elect Bogy, and fully exon
Grated him. The committee also found that no
member of the General Assembly received
money directly or indirectly to influence his
vote. At his instance the committee extended
the investigation and made another report re-
Affirming the first report and asked to be dis
charged. This matter it was thought was end
ed, but it appeared that some of the Republic
cans had presented memorial to the Senate
asking for an investigation. This memorial
was in general terms. 1t did not say anything
could be proved. This was matter of great
bright record and whose escutcheen was as
clear of stain as any other State, and therefore
he might claim as right due to himself and
State that the Senate al once take up the case
If he had any reputation for anything above
another, it was that of being an honest man.
and though he admitted he was an ardent poll
tician. he had never been charged with corrup-
ton. He did not like to be held up before the
country as man who had obtained a seat here
by improper means. He could not vote to ex-
pei or retain any member of this body while
he himself was subject to investigation. Under
these circumstances he would suspend his func-
tOns on all such questions.
After Mr.. Bogy's statement the Caldwell
case was resumed.
Mr.? Norwood argued that the Senate had the
perfect and absolute power to declare void an
election procured by bribery and fraud, and
remit the matter to the State for new cleo
ton.
Mr.. Thurman said the result of his examina-
ton of the testimony was that the election of
Mr.. Caldwell was thoroughly corrupt. He had
never seen evidence so conclusive and damning.
1t they did not turn out man whose election
was procured by fraud, or declare the seat va
cant until they obtained stronger testimony,
the power to do so might as well be stricken
from the constitution. The legal argument was
in narrow compass. The Senate has the pow
er under the constitution to judge of its mem
bers and therefore it could not not be viola
ton of State rights to exercise the power con-
ferred in that instrument.
No further debate took place.
Mr.. Window offered resolution that the
Committee on Transportation be authorized to
sit during the recess of the Senate, and report
on the subject of transportation between the
interior and the seaboard, with power to send
for persons an( papers.
The Senate went into executive session and
soon after adjourned