New-York tribune., 1873-03-12
U. s. SENATE-SPECIAL SESSION.
MR.. CALDWELL's CASE.

Mr.. CLAYTON Rep., Ark.) asked that the
senate after the Caldwell case shall have been disposed
Of take up and pass upon the question relating to him
sef
Mr.. WRIGHT Rep.. Iowa), OF the Special Committee
of the late session. introduced resolution that the
charges AGAINST the official conduct Of Powell Clayton
are not sustained and the Committee be discharged
Jnhu NV r. Gordon Senator elect from Georgia in
troduced by Mr.. NORWOOD Dem, Gal, and took the
oath OF office. - - - ...
Mr.. FERRY (Tsep., Mich) introduced resolution au-
thorzng the Secretary Of War to consider and report as
10 the expedency Of setting apart portion OF the
island of Mackinaw for public park. lie addressed
the Senate on subject aung tothe historic interest
and the natural cuOses OF the location, and INVOKED
the Federal aid make free and sacred 70 the nation
this spot for the public good -.
Mr. SALISBURY Dell gave notice that he was op-
posed To all such propositions.
Mr. FERRY said that the resolution merely invited the
Secretary of War TO report whether IN his opinion IL
woud be Incompatible with the public interests to make
such dedication Similar propositions had heretofore
been considered by the Senate and he had introduced
mis- resolution in accordance with his right TO do
Mr. CASSERLY Dem.. Cali thought that under proper
restrictions there would be objection, where these
reservations not needed for government purposes
converting them into puDc parks TOT the DcnenI OF
the people, and such lie beevedlwas theb best use TO
Mr. HAMILTON CDem., Md interposed objection to
the consideration OF the resolution.
Mr FERRY said this was mere question of inquiry
Mr. HAMILTON remarked that there were various
other localities just sacred the Island of Mackinaw
National ParRl was simply SINK hole IN which W
The Senate passed the resolution by vote Of 81 to 49,
TREATMENT OF EMIGRASTs on sHIPBOARD.
On motion OF Mr.. CHANDLER (Rep.. Mcb) the Score
tary of the Treasury was requested to furnish TO
the Senate at the next session information as
to how many superficial feet OF clear space Is accorded
TO each steerage immigrant shpboard, and to have
the atmosphere Of such portions Of the ship 10 which
they are assigned chemically analyzed by proper ana
Trustworthy experts and 20 ascertain and report upon
the general treatment accorded emigrauts and
the better comfort and treatment OF such emgrants.
The Senate resumed the consideration OF tue case Oh
Senator Caldwell (sepp Ark).
MR.. CALDwELL's DEFENSE.
His statement was read. He puts his defense upon
these grounds:
First The election OF Senator, like the enactment Of
law, is the act OF the State In It's sovereign capacity
and the motives OF the members voting cannot DO In
quired into for the purpose OF inyalidaung IT,.
Second: In Judging OF the qqalineatl0ns tne senate
Judging Of the returns the legal requirements canot be
ampded and in judging OF the elections, M no tne only
OF the state that made the election Was IT held at the
time and place and in the manner prescribed 6y the act
oryl In this case these questions are all answered. III
the affirmative.
his authority or FROM body else to any member Of
'DS Mr TgAIDWfI I concludes AZ follows: beg there
FORE that the Senators will stop to consider well before
committing themselves ~ precedent which Will result
in great TO me, and may the future work great
nury to Others When at the request OF hundreds OF
respectable CltZen5 OF hdlhds CDHctuteu 10
the use OF my name for the place now occupy 1u SO
with the honorable ambition and with the deter
6Iansd mna4f tnat m me- no 6r sc' shonor on this BODY
fully appreciated the dignity OF Senator OF the United
states and am proud 20 say tna ATM not even cne SsI
breath OF suspicion To my official conduct nor have
wear 90 and the other here been able TO connect me
with dollar corrupty used TO Influence any member
their own false statements as TO my admissions which
here before this body upon my conscience pronounce
wickedly aud malicously false IL had had any
such Communications TO make Is IL at all
probable that should have made them
TO my most bitter enemies No, never did make such
here most solemnly declare that never did, directly
or indirectly pay cause " be paid ST. or any other
thing OF value or any consideration whatever, for
mans for me for the Senate And then 10 be the
whose very names are the synonyms OF and
rupOn in my State TO succeed by force OF their own
false statements In bringing disgrace ana rum upon me,
and that too because their political paths
and declined submit to their unrighteous demandsl
For the past IS months have been compelled TO submit
TO msrepresentatOns and abuse TO much greater de-
gree than usually falls 10 the lot OF one man. My pur-
suers have been constantly on my track following me
from Kansas to Washington and from Washington to
Kansas and wherever they could by misrepresentation
have turned upon me wrath OF alpowerul press.
Until the present moment have not said or written
word reply and would not do 50 now were IL not nee
essary In presenting the to the Senate beg 5ena
to reflect that 1t Is not alone to retain seat in this
body that have for the past eighteen months Deen
sisting the wicked designs of these men, but rather
to defeat them in their base and Infamous attempt TO
disgrace
succeed then indeed will be forced to admit that the
efforts OF lifetime in acquiring an honorable name may
be defeated by wicked conspiracy OF two or three bad
men. -
Mr.. CARPENTER Nsep. Wis., said he had occasion.
the other evening" refer to legislative and judicial
functions which pass rapidly from TO the other
that there is danger Of carrying off to the judicial field
something which belongs TO the legislative.
Senators were here their 0aths judges.
They rot here TO make law but TO admin
lister the law IA 1t Is touching Mr. Caldwell.
II there Is not moro stringent enactment Congress
must supply the deficiency Senators could do moro
than the Supreme Court. The Constitution each
House shall be the judge of the qualifications and returns
of its members. This involves calmness and Impair
men OF the Senator from Indiana (r Morton) yester-
day Ho had before seen the Senator in the
right hand 10 support his own views. and bringing 1t
down tho Senator from Kansas with al the
earnesness that he would attack political oppon-
money having been drawn out OF a bank
at Lawrence and raid TO party on the same day you
have not proved that money used TO bribe egs-
ator The money might have been expended for rail.
road other legitimate purposes The Senate ought to
conne themselves 10 the judicial rules OF testimony In
called testimony but he undertook ~ pages OF
IL would be respected by any court OF justice Il
respectable hearsay, but consisted Of senti
ments first second hand AS TO the transaction be-
tween Caldwell and Carney. that was conceded BY all
be dssented from the conclusions OF the report
The Testimony was not such as would be submitted
by Court TO 4 Jury. As 10 CaldwelPs guilt he should
against the expulsion OF the SENATOR and ask
atOrs before they cast their votes TO disgrace him.
least tO read aud study the testimony. He would ask
for Caldwell what he would ask for any charged
with crime. He would ask the Court discharge lts
duty matter what might be said by mobs outside.
at $50 o'clock, went into Executive session, aud after
ward adjourned.