Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-01-29
IN THE SENATE.

In the Senate yesterday the Vice-Pres-
ident made the following statement:
SENAToRS-Before commencing this
mornings business, l ask your indul-
gence for q few remarks, personal to
myself, to this body as its presiding
officer. Grave charges, affecting my
character as man, are before the
American people, and l do not under
rate the circumstantial evidence by
which they are supported; but, con-
scious of my innocence, l respectfully
ask for the appointment of a committee
to make thorough and exhaustive in
vestigation into the charges, with au-
thority to send for persons, and a ma
jority of which committee shall be SEN
ators politically opposed to me.
The Senator from Rhode Island, as
presiding officer-Representi as I do,
in part, the State of which the Vice
President is a citizen, it is proper
that l should move the appointment
of committee, in accordance with the
wish he has expressed; in doing that, |
desire to state that l don't wish myself
appointed, and perhaps it is not out of
place that | should say on this subject
that, having known the Vice. President
from his youth, 1 Ihaveperfect confidence
in his truthfulness and integrity; il
would require a great deal of evidence
to convince the people Of the State of
Indiana that he is dishonest man. In
compliance with the wish he expressed,
now move the appointment of COM
mittee Of five.
MIR. Thurman cannot, as at present
advised, vote for the appointment of
such a committee. If the Vice President
were a member of this body--if we had
power to expel-it would be proper that
this body should appoint committee to
investigate the charges, and it would be
very improper for any other than the
Senate to take that course, further than
to refer to the Senate any evidence that
might have come out in the investiga-
ton; but the Vice President is an officer
of the Government, and the Senate has
no power over him to eXpel. If he has
been guilty of anything that subjects
him to punishment, it is by impeach-
ment that can only originate in the
House of Representatives, if evidence
be produced that satisfies the House
that he ought to be inpeached, it is the
duty of the House to impeaeh him, and |
it is the duty Of the Senate not to form
an opinion as to his guilt until the evi. |
dence is produced and we are called on
as Judges to deliver a verdict. We can
not enter into an investigation, con-
duct and forestall Judgment. If he be |
guilty 1t is the duty of the House to i'm |
peach him; if he be innocent, it is the |
duty of the House to refrain from it. |
Our duty, if such charges come to US, !
will be the duty of judges, and it is not
for US to investigate in advance. | was
about TO say that the. Senate has no
power to investigate the conduct of an
Individual where investigation becomes
necessary in considering some public
measure which we have to pass upon in |
a legislative capacity, but It is no such |
case. The paper read informs US that
charges duplicating private character
have been the subject of instigation, |
therefore with that we have nothing
to do unless it comes to us, !
and we have no right, by an investiga-
ton OF ours, to forstall the action of the
House of Representatives, or to affect
that investigation whatever. lean very
well understand the motives which in
duced the Vice-Presiaent TO make this
to the Senate, and the
committee well understand why he
should ask this body, over which be pre-
sides, to investigate the matter. But he
has made mistake, and however hon.
orable be the motives, the Senate ought
to grant it. hope, therefore, the Sena-
tor from Indiana viii not press the
motion.
President pro tenn. Anthony put the
question and the motion waa lost. Mr..
Pratt voting In the affirmative.