Union and American. [volume] (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1875-1877, 1875-12-23
xiv CONGRESS,

Quite a number of memorial and
private bills were introduced.
Conkiing presented memorial
OF practical steamboat men and
persons engaged in navigation,
designating certain portions in the
steamboat laws, which should be
changed. In presenting the mem
orial, Conkling said he took great
pleasuse in laying this paper before
the Senate because it indicadte
particularly what changes should
be made, and it also showed that
the men engaged in steamboating
had some regard for the safety of
those travelling on steamboats,.
Spencer, of Alabama, said that
at the last session of the Alabama
Legislature a committee was up-
pointed to inquire whether corrupt
practices had been used to secure
his election to the Senate. AS the
Legislature which appointed this
committee was not the one by
which he was elected to the Senate,
he had not appeared before 1T to
answer the charges. He denied
the charges of fraud and corrup-
tion, and said the legislature which
appointed this committee was
elected by fraud, the same as the
one recently elected IN Mississippi.
The Alabama election by which
this legislature was put in, like
that in Mississippi, was part of a
conspiracy to overthrow the law
full government in the South. He
recognized the Senate of the Uni
ted States as the only body having
authority to inquire into his cleo
tion and his right to a seat in this
chamber. He, therefore, offered a
resolution instructing the Commit
tee on Privileges and Elections to
inquire whether George E. Spen-
Ger, a Senator in Congress from
the State of Alabama, did use or
cause to be used corrupt practices
to secure his election to a seat in
the Senate, and authorizing said
committee to send for persons and
papers, and sit during the holiday
recess.
Mr.. Davis suggested that the
resolution lie on the table and be
printed.
Mr.. Conkling said the Senator
from Alabama had been assailed
and he asked for an investigation
by q Senate committee. He hoped
the Senator from West Virginia
would not ask postponement.
MIR. Thurman, Of Ohio, said he
knew nothing whatever of, the
case, but it seemed to him that the
resolution, as drawn, simply di-
rected an inquiry as to whether
the Senator himself had used cor
rupt practices.
The broader question. as to
whether the election was secured
by fraud. was not covered by res
olution.
Spencer said he would modify it
to meet the views of the senator
from Ohio. The resolution was
then modified to read as follows:
ReSOired, That the Committee
on Privileges and Elections are
hereby instructed to investigate
into and inquire whether in the
election of Geo. Z. Spencer as a
Senator from the State OF Alabama,
there were used, or caused to be
used and employed, corrupt prac-
tees to secure his election to the
seat he now holds; and that said
Committee send for persons and
papers to take testimony; to en-
ploy stenographers and such cleri-
cal assistance as they may deem
necessary, and to sit during the
recess Of Congress, if considered
advisable; and to report the res ult
of their investigation as soon as
practicable.
The resolution as modified was
agreed to.
The resolution which passed the
House to adjourn Monday next, to
the 4th of January, was amended
by inserting January 18th, and
passed. 1t goes to the House for
concurrence.
Motions resolution, appointed a
committee to investigate the Mis-
sissippi election, was discussed
with considerable bitterness with
ont action. The Senate then went
into executive session.
Adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Dec. II, 1875.
The Senate went into session i'm
mediately after being called to Or
der.
In the Senate to- day, Mr.. Thur
man suggested that Morton's reso-
luton for investigating the Missis-
sippi election be laid over until
Monday, as it would be impossible
to dispose of it without an all night
session. Morton consented, saying
he hoped it would be disposed of
on Monday.
Mr.. Edmunds submitted a reso-
luton to elect the President pro
u az VII VIC AIu vi OdHudiy y. 1lS
did this because of the great i'm
portaece Of the subject. After a
brief discussion, the resolution was
referred to the Judiciary Commit
tee. Very little doubt exists Of the
reelection of Ferry.
A large number of bills Of pri-
yate nature were intro luced.
HOUSE.
The House agreed to the Senate
resolution TO adjourn from next
Monday to the 9th of January.
Geo. +. Seward was nominated
Minister to China. . ~
Slemons, of Arkansas, introduced