The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-04-01


WASHINGTON, March 22.-The Senate
galleries were densely crowded long be-
Eore the hour of meeting, and by the time
the Senate was called to order aot even
standing room was to be obtained in the
passages and doorways. A large number
of members of the House of Representa-
sives and others entitled to that privilege
we're on the floor After the reading of
the journal of Saturdays proceedings,
Mr.. Boutwell, submitted a resolution pro-
viding for the final adjournment of the
Senate on the - day of March, at =
O'Clock, and gave notice that he would
call it up as soon as the resolution now
under consideration was disposed of.
The consideration Of he unfinished
business, being the resolution submitted
by Mr.. Anthony, of Rhode Island, on
Saturday, approving of the action of the
President in protecting the Government
of Louisiana, of which VIM. P. Kellogg
is the Executive, and the people of that
State against domestic violence, and en-
forcing the laws of the United States in
that State, was resumed, and Mr.. John
son, of Tennessee, being entitled to the
floor, spoke as follows:
ANDREW JoHNSON'S SPEECH.
Mr.. PRESIDENT: 1t was not my inten-
tion when the question was first brought
before the Senate to participate in the
discussion My entrance in the Senate
was of so recent date, and under such
peculiar circumstances, that determined
that would not participate in any dis
cussion during the present session Of the
Senate; but things havetaken such di-
recton that feel it incumbent on me to
say something in reference to the resoIu-
ton now under consideration. And what
| may say on this occasion, | want it dis
iinctly understood, grows out of no party
bias or partisan feeling, but supOn the
ground that the resolution proposes to
cover acts and measures which think
are clearly in violation of the organic
law of the land, and without authority.
That being so, canrot give my consent
20 the resolution. and will be compelled
to vote against it. think it proper that
/ should give some few reasons why l
cannot give it my vote.
Mr.. Johnson then argued that the reso-
luton was not legitimately before the
Senate. which had been convened in ex-
ira session mainly to act upon executive
business. 1t would be as legitimate, he
said, to offer resolution expressing an
opinion in reference to reducing eXpendi-
ttires or with reference to return to
sound currency. What does this resolu-
tion propose? 1t simply calls upon the
Senate to express an opinion with refer
ence to executive conduct in the organl-
.zatiOn If the State Government OF Lou
isiana, and approve Of that action, Now,
the query comes up, What has been the
course of the Government with reference
10 cases of this kind?
PARALLEL CASE.
Mr.. johnson then referred to the trou-
ole in the Tennessee Legislature in 1866,
and said;
When this Legislature convened there
was difference of opinion between the
Governor of the State and the Legisla-
ture, and that difference of opinion be-
came almost factious. The Legislature
became refractory, and the Governor be-
came refractory. The q vernon under
took to control the Legislature, and the
Legislature refused to have a quorum.
The Executive undertook 10 take charge
of the Legislature. and to have the mem
bers brought in and compel them to act
Some of the members rendered their re-
signations, which were rejected by the
Governor. Others absented themselves
or refused to vote, and reduced the House
below a quorum. Now, here is the pre-
else case that you have in Louisiana.
Here is a struggle between the Govern
ment and cOntending members for seats
IN the Legislature, but the main issue is
between the Legislature and the Cover
nor 1t is conceded by all who have
spoken on the subject that the military
were those Obeying the behests Of the
Governor to organize the Legislature,
and to organize the Legislature that IA
Wored him. In principle it Is precisely
the same case Now what was done in
che case have referred to? The &c was
an attempt to force members to act in
the Legislature by the Governor re using
10 accept their designations. 1t was not
for them to organize the Legislature; it
yas not for the Governor to compel the
attendance of absent members. The
Governor applied to the military COM
mander of the district for assistance in
bringing the fugitive members back to
their seats, and the following correspond
ence took place. Gen. Thomas was then
IN command of that department, and he
was induced by the Governor to apply to
the General of the Army here at that
time for military aid to aid Gov. Brown
low to organize the Legislature:
PRESIDENT LINCoLN's ACTION.
Nashville, Tenn, July IA, 1866.
ITO Lieut.. Gen. Grant.
"Some of the members of the Tennes-
see General Assembly conduct them
selves in very refractory manner, ab-
senting themselves to prevent quorum.
This is an obstruction to Business. The
Governor cannot manage them with the
means at his disposal, and has applied to
me for military assistance. Shall fur
nish it? GEO. II. THOMAS,
major General Commanding"