Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-03-04

better, safer, and more prudent rule or pre-
cedent not to exercise jurisdiction over Of
fenses that the verdict of the people may
have cured. But, sir, while | hold that po-
sition, am equally of the opinion that for
a continuance of the offense, an off5nse that
reaches over and beyond and affects the
character of the present representation,
this House can exercise jurisdicti7n over
the member, or it can and may exercise this
jurisdiction in matters affecting his present
position, and which may have transpired
during the fact of his membership.
need not amplify upon this point, or
give my reasons for the position have
stated. But ri. ht here l pass to another
point. Gentlemen say that at the very
threshold we are limited in our jurisdiction
by the inquiry which the committee was
directed to make, and that we are limited
by the finding of that committee. | say
especially to the members Of my profession
in this House that we trihe with the COM
mon sense of the country if we take such
position as that. No, sir. This commit
tee has reported this volums Of facts, and to
this volume of facts we look in exercising
the power of publication which this body
has to see how many and what members of
this House have been charged with and Ae
guilty of crimes and offenses against this
body. So believing 1 pass to the question
of the guilt of these parties under the facts
which are before us, which facts they know,
and which facts constitute "the indictment"
against them.
1t appears that under this report but two
members of the House are directly arraign-
ed, to wit; Mr.. Ames and Mr.. Brooks. In
lot io NJ Aunos iuar1lioofad0 Ta tharo
any man on this floor who, upon the read
ing of this volume of testim ony, is not sat
isfed that Oakes Ames in his examination
before the committee triflad with the COM
mittee, trifed with the House, trihed with
his own oath, trihed with bis duty to the
country? You see that l do not inquire
into bis past offsnses. will not go beyond
this book of testimony; l turn to his exam.
ination, ard upon that l fEd him guilty,
and deeply, morally guilty.
My friend from Indiana Mr.. VOorhees)
has said that Mr.. Ames has not committed
perjury. If he has not, if he has told the
truth; then tell me what becomes of Mr..
Kelley and Garfield? Turn to this record
and you will find that he has damned and
stained Mr.. Kelley and Mr.. Garfield more
than any other men upon this floor. Has
nIs ALuoS bOAO bic bFubus IL n6 has, b0cu
these men are likewise implicated. can
not amplify on this point. Look to the re-
cord.
The report of the committee also impli'
Gates Mr.. Brooks. am disposed on the
theory of law and of our jurisdiction not to
go into sn inquiry as to what was Mr..
Brooks conduct as a Government director
of the Union Pacific Railroad in the pur-
chase or transfer of stock, accepting his
statement, as / am disposed to do; yet letme
say this: He was placed rs Government
director to guard and protect the interests of
the people. He was placed as sentinel up
on the outposts to guard and protect those
interests. Then, sir, it was bis high, moral,
and legal duty to report to the country any
thing that he saw affecting those interests.
am not here to define what the Credit
Mobilier is, except to state tha. it was an
institution, an organization, an association