New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-17
S0ETHERN INVESTIGATIONS.

As there is a great deal Of human nature in
the United States Senate we ought not to be
surprised at the resolutions of inquiry into
carpet-bag affairs which are falling fast upon
the Clerks table. It is evident to the Admin
istration majority in that body that something
must be done pretty soon. The National Con-
vention is at hand the rivalries of candidates
are flaming out and the approach of the po-
litical crisis finds the party without plan and
without ammunition. The Administration has
had such a run of hard luck that one
could almost fancy the devil and the
saints to ne leagued together against it. The
Whisky Ring and the Methodist preachers, the
Pope and John Y. Foster, alike belabOr it.
The enemy has taken possession of the House
OF Representatives,, where he seems to be fit
ting out all manner Of mischievOus incursOns I;
and as for the help to be got from the White
House. we suspect that most of the politicians
will feel moro comfortable without it. Upon
tho whole, no expedient that presents itself
Just now is so safe and so easy as an inquiry
into the condition of the South, and upon that
great work the Senate accordingly prepares to
expend its genius.
Mr. Morton, who Is an old dog and does not
rCaUllV learn new UithS, opcHtu StNltiutig d
budget OF Outrages from Mississippi, resent
bling in their general character the stories
which fell so fiat upon the Bloody Shirt Con-
vention of last year. He has rumOrs of huge
Republican majorties blown into nothing by
the discharge of rebel glnpowder, and "a
"gentieInan of Mississippi i'll official position"
informs HIM that at the last election the
Democrats fred off cannon in several counties
and thereby prevented the other party from
voting. We are well aware that all the gen
"tlemen in official position" in Mississippi
are paragons of honesty and intelligence Off
cial station in Gov. Amess State, more per-
haps than in any other part of the South, be-
Ing SO to speak patent of good breeding
and certificate Of patriotism and ycracitY I;
but we think that cannon story requires a
little further investigation. Hence, although
we find no precedent, and must even stretch
ingenuity to find constitutional warrant for an
inquiry of this sort, we shall hardly regret the
passing of Mr.. Motions resolution. The COM
mittee may uncover some interesting facts,
and we are certain that If it overhaul the re-
cent political history of the State 1t will dis
close great amount Of violence, fraud, and
general rascaity, not by any means confined
to one faction
There is another Committeeman of Privi-
leges and Elections-upOn which much more
serious duty lies. Mr.. George L. Spencer has
requested that body to inquire into his char
acter, and in particular to find out whether
there was any fraud in his return to the Senate.
The Legislature of Alabama, to which the
duty properly belongs, has already appointed
a Committee to undertake this unpleasant job,
but Mr. Spencer has refused to appear before
il either in person or by counsel, preferring-
and who shall blame him ITO be Investigated
in his own way by Committee of his
friends which has the strongest of reasons for
believing him innocent The slender Republic
can majority in the Senate Is so uncertain that
even Spencer cannot be spared. We confess
we are at loss to understand upon what pre-
tense the Senate complies with Mr.. Spencer's
request but il has complied, and we can only
hope that it will fnd abundant edification in