Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-03-07

met at noon, all the Senators present
Jones of Nevada, Ferry, of Connecticut
and Wadleigh of New Hampshire wer'
| sworn in.
e---s Spencer VS.. Sykes.
When wadleigh went up to be sworn
Geo. E. Spencer, of Alabama, whose cleo
ton is contested by Sykes also offered him
self to be sworn in, whereupon Bayard OBJ
jected. Bayard said Spencer was aware
that his seat would be contested and thai
the oath shonld not be administered unit
the Senate pass upon his own and bis con.
testant's credentials. -Sf@.
The question Of swearing Spencer was
discussed bya number of Senators.
Mr. Hamlin discussed the rules and pre-.
cedents, and came to the conclusion that il
would be better to let Spencer be sworn In
and refer his credentials to the Committee
ON Privileges and Elections.
Mr.. Conkling took the same view.
Mr.. Alcorn moved that Spencer's creden-
tials be read for information. They were
read. aar -a
Mr.. Bsyard moved to have the creden-
tials of Sykes, and the certificate of his
election signed by the officers OF the Legis-
laturs of Alabama, read.
The Vice President said be was informed
the paper had been sent to the Printer.
Mr.. Bayard having stated that be had a
copy in his hand, MIR. Morton suggested
that it be read,
Mr.. Conkling said he had no objection
to the reading of the paper, but he certainly
would object to its being received upon the
same footing as the credentials of Spencer,
hoeonon n arodanfiolo 81 Ill hx,t
merely memorial. The credentials of a
Senator must be signed by the Governor of
his State and this PAPER was not so signed.
Mr. Morton said that the law provided
what should be the legal evidence of a
Senator's election and that the evidence
was present in this case. 1t was only
prima facie of course; and the Senate could
go behind it and inquire into the validity of
the election afterwards, but in the mean
time the presentation of legal credentials
entitled Spencer to admission.
Mr.. Thurman said that the argument of
the Senators, if it proved anything, would
prove that no Senator could be admitted
under any circumstances unless his cre-
dentia,s were altogether regular, and he re-
minded the Senate that it had kept Mr..
Goldthwaite, the other Senator from Ala
bams, out of bis seat for nearly year on
the mere remonstrance of irresponsible
memorialists.
Mr.. Hamlin, from the committee ap-
pointed TO wait upon the President, report
ed that it had performed that duty, and
the Presidents reply was, that as al present
advised, be would have no communications
to make the Senate, except in the form of
nominations.
Caidvell's Case. a
Mr.. Morton offered the following and
said he would call it up tomorrow:
Resolved, That Alexander Caldwell was
not duly and legally elected to the Senate
of the United States by the Legislature of
the State of Kansas.
Reciprocity with Canada.
Mr.. Morton offered a resolution, and
stated that if the session of the Senate
should be much prolonged, he would call it
up and submit some remarks upon the
commercial relations between the Dominion
of Canada, England, and the United
Ssates.
The debate on the admission of Spencer
was continued by Messrs. Stevenson, Al
corn, Howe, Schurz, Frelinghuysen, Upton
and Stewart.
The certificate of election of F. W.
Sykes, as Senator from Alabama, signed by
the officers Of the Legislature, was pre-
sented.
Mr.. Bayard again argued infaVor of post
poning the admission Of either Of the per-
sons claiming to be Senators elect from
Alabama until the question should have
been considered by the Committee on Priv
leges and Elections.
Messrs. Thurman, Stewart and Salisbury
continued the debate and without action
the Senate adjourned.