Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-03-12
CONGRESSIONAL.
The Extra Session Of the Senate.
Caldwell Becomes an Ultraist On
eEee States Rights. "a
Carpenter Argues against His Elk.
-s- pulsiOn.
CtavtOu,s Turn Next.

ClaytOm's Turn Next.
WASHINGTON, March l1.--Mr. Clayton
asked that bis case be taken up after Mr..
Caldweli's was disposed OF.
Mr.. Wright, of the special committee
last session, introduced a resolution that
the charges against the official conduct Of
Mr.. Clayton are not sustained, and that the
committee be discharged from further con-
sideration of the subject.
Mr.. Gordon, Senator elect of Georgia,
was sworn in.
A Frigid Zone Park.
Mr.. Ferry, of Michigan, introduced a
resolution authorizing the Secretary of War
to consider and report as to the expediency
of setting apart portion of the island OF
Mackinaw as public park.
Some opposition was made to the resolu-
ton, but it finally passed-37 to ID.
Immigrants.
On motion of Mr.. Chandler, the Secreta-
ry of the Treasury was requested to fur
nish the Senate, at its next session. with in
formation as to how many superficial feet
of clear space is accorded to each emigrant
on shipboard; to have the atmosphere OF
such portions of the ship to which they are
assigned chemically analysed by proper and
reliable experts, and to ascertain and report
upon the general treatment accorded to en-
igrants, and suggest such notifications in
existing laws as will secure the better COM
fort and treatment of such emigrants.
Caldwell Argues that Bribery is Not
Punishable.
The Senate resumed consideration of
the case of Senator Caldwell. His state
was read. He puts bis defense upon thess
grounds:
1. The election of Senator like the en-
actment of law is an act of the State in
its sovereign capacity and the motives of
members voting cannot be inquired into for
the purpose of invslidating it.
2. In judging of qualifications, the Sen
ate cannot add to these prescribed by the
Constitution. In judging of returns the
| legal requirements cannot be amplihed,
aud in judging of elections the only ques-
tons 70 be considered are: was it the Legs
lature of the State that made the election;
was it held at the time and place and in the
manner prescribed by the act of Congress;
and did the certified person receive ma
| jority? In this case these questions are all
answered in the affirmative.
8. Not dollar is traced from Caldwell
or by his authority, or from anybody else,
to any member of the Legislature as con :
sideration for bis vote.
Caldwell concludes as follows:
beg therefore that the Senators will stop
| to consider well before committing them
selves to precedent which will result in
great wreng to me and may in the futur
work great injury to others. l here most
solemnly declare that I.never did directly OF
! indirectly pay or cause to be paid one dol
lar or any other thipg of value, or any con-
sideration whatever for any mans vote for
me for the Senate. Am 1 then to be a
victim of a wicked conspiracy? Wherever
nv enemies could by misrepresentation
prejudice me in the estimation ofthe news
paper men, they have turned upon me the
wrath of an ali powerful press. 1 beg Sen
ators to reflect.
Carpenter-A Fellow Feeling Makes
us wOndrOus Kind.
Mr.. Carpenter said that it was with sur
prise and grief he had listened to the ar
gument of the Senator from Indiana, (Mor-
tony, Yesterday. He had never before seer
the Senator in the warmth OF political de-
bate vigorously extending his right hand tc
|
| down on the Senator from Kansas with al
the earnestness that he would attack politi-
cal opponents. When you come to the
mere fact of money having been drawn out
of the bank at Lawrence, and paid to q
party on same day, you have not proved
that the money was used to bribe legisla
tors. The money may have been expended
for railroad or other Legitimate
purposes. The Senate ought to
confine themselves TO the judicial
rules of testimony. The testimony agains
Caldwell was not such as would be submit
ted by a court to a jury as to CaldwelFs
guilt. He should vote against the expul-
sion of the Senator, and asked the Senators
before they cast their votes to disgrace him
at least to regard and study the testimony
He would ask for Caldwell what he would
ask for any man charged with crime. II,
would ask the Court to discharge its duty
no matter what might be said by mObs out
side.
Without proceeding further in debate
the Senate went into executive session anC
afterwards adjourned.