The New York herald., 1875-12-15
Lively Debate on the Louisi-
ana Senatorship.
RMILLANS CREDENTIALS WITHDRAWN,
A Resolution of Inquiry Regarding
Mr.. Henderson's Dismissal.
Mr.. Blaine's Constitutional
Amendment.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. IL, 1875.

The President pro tempore laid before the Senate
the annual report of the Attorney General Of the United
States. Ordered to be printed and referred to tho
Judiciary Committee.
Mr. CoSKLIso, (rep.) Of N. Y, presented commun-
cation from Thomas ]. Durant, who was connected
with the Commission for the Codncaton Of the Laws
OF the United States pointing out certain defects in the
Revised Statutes Referred to the Judiciary Com
mittee.
large number OF petitions for the appointment of q
commission inquire the traffic in alcoholic liquor
presented by Messrs. Conkling, OF New York
Hamn, OF Maine; Freinghuysen OF New Jersey;
Sargent Of California; Morrill, of yermont Morrill, OF
Maine; Howe, Of Wisconsin, and others all OF which
wero referred to the Committee on Finance.
ALABAMA CLAIMS.
Mr. EDMUNDs, (rep.l Of Vt, from the Judiciary Com
mttee, reported back the Senate bill to extend the
duration Of the Court of Commissioners Of Alabama
Claims, with several verbal amendments He said it
desirable have this bill passed by both houses
OF Congress before the holiday II merely pro-
vded for continuing the court six months and did not
touch the disputed questions connected with that court
Mr. ALLISON lrep) OF Iowa. introduced bill to trans
fer the Indian trust funds TO the Treasury of the United
States Referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs
Mr. PATTERSON, trep) of s. O., presented memorial
OF the Charleston S c. Chamber Of Commerce in favor
OF an appropriation for the improvement OF the harbor
of that place. Referred TO the Committee on Com
merce. ..@
Mr. DAVIS, (dem.) OF W. va, introduced bill max
ing appropriation for continuing the Improvement
OF the Great Kanawha River In the State OF West Yir
ginia Referred TO the Committee on Commerce.
Mr. ANTHONY, (repl OF r. l., introduced a bill provid-
ing for the completion and location of the naval monu
ment Referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.
Mr. CAMERON rep) Of Pa from the Committee on
Foreign Relations, reported favorably the Senate
bill authorizing George P. Marsh to accept presents
from the governments Of Switzerland and Italy, 1t
Mr. CAMERON, rep OF Wis, introduced a bill 10 aid
the Winnebago Indians Of Wisconsin to obtain suDsst
ence by agricultural pursuits and to aid in their civil.
ization. Referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
DIsLOYAL PRNsrosERs
Mr.. MERRrMoS, (dem) Of N. O., introduced bill to,
amend the act granting pensions to soldiers and sailors
of the OF 1872 and the widows of deceased soldiers
and TO restore TO tho pension rolls the of those
persons stricken therefrom account of disoyalty.
Referred to the Committee on Pensions He also in
troduced bill granting pensions to certain soldersand
sailors of the war with Mexico and the widows OF de-
ceased soldiers Referred to the Committee on Pen
sions ~
Mr.. CLAYTON, (rcp) of Ark, submitted resolution
requesting the Attorney General TO transmit to tho
ate If not incompatible with the public interest," any
information in his possession in regard to the treat
men OF United States prisoners confined in State peni
The CHAIR laid before the Senate communication
from the Secretary OF War transmitting the report of
Major G. B. Comstock upon the improvement of the
South Pass of the Mississippi River the character OF the
work done under Mr.. Eads, &c Laid the table and
ordered to be printed
Tho report Of Major Comstock gives a detailed
technical description Of the work accomplished up
hst November. Secretary Beknap invites attention to
the Importance OF an early appropriation by Congress TO
carry explorations surveys and inspections required
by the etty act Of last year, and for which
we're provided by that law
- Mr. CRA0rN trep) of N H. introduced bill to regu-
late the pay Of certain officers OF the navy Referred
the Committee on Naval Affairs.
UNSETTLED ACCOUNTS AND DEPALCATIoNs
The unfinished business, being the resolution sub
mtted by Mr. Dawes, or West Virginia. yesterday, in
regard TO the unsettled accounts OF government officials
and dealcations called up, the pending question
being the motion OF Mr. Sherman TO refer the resou-
ton 10 the Committee on Finance, which was agreed
to. Yeas, IS nays, 25.
THE LOUISIANA sExAroRsHrp
The CHAIR then laid before the Senate the motion
submitted by the Senator from Louisiana (Mr. Vest
last week to grant the request OF w. L. Mcmillan to
withdraw his papers claiming seat in the Senate
Mr SAULsBuRY, (dem) OF DEL said he had no partic
uar objection to the withdrawal OF these papers but it
seemed to him rather strange proceeding and he would
like 10 know some Of the reasons therefor.
Mr. EDMrNDs, of Vermont, inquired whether the crc-
dentlas Of Mr. Mcmillan came to the Senate from the
Governor OF Louisiana, according to law, or whether
they had been submitted by Mr.. Mcmillan hmself9
The CHAIR tMr. Ferry replied that the credentials
were presented by the Senator from Kentucky (Mr
McCreeryl
Mr. EDMUSDs said he had no objection to their with
drawaL
Mr. THURMAN Cdem) OF Ohio said It was matter OF
no consequences whether these credentials be withdrawn
not Undoubtedly their withdrawal would put
end to the claim of Mr.. Mcmillan for seat in this body
but that would have effect whatever the claim OF
Mr. Pnchback tor scat The committee Of the Senate
had reported that neither the body which elected Mr.
Pinchback that which elected Mr. Mcmillan the
legal Legislature OF the State.
Mr. DAVIS, OF West Virginia, inquired II there
not two OF credentials OF Mr.. Mcmillan
The CHAIR replied that there two sets, those
presented by the Senator from Kentucky and others
sent directly TO the Senate
Mr. MORTON, rep Of Ind, SAID there never was any
such body the McEnery Legislature. This whole
McEncry government sham and fraud
Mr.. STEVENSON, (dem OF Kentucky, said, In per-
sona aspect this matter amounted to very little; but
the Senate should be very careful about fixing prece
dent He thought that when credentials, properly
All nv the Governor n
upon the table became more than personal matter,
and the claimant had no right to withdraw them
He took with the Senator from Indiana Mr. Nor
toni TO the McEncry government being fraud. He
tMr Stevenson) believed the government Of
louisiana and the Kellogg government fraud,
bribery and a corruption. The Committee on Priv.
eges and Elections had reported to the Senate that
the Kellogg government was fraud, and the record
would show IT, He argued the Senate estoppcd by
the report OF the committee from recognizing the Kel
logg government
Mr. Howg, lrep.l OF Wis, denied that the Senate was
estopped by the report OF the committee. He would
not consider himself csopped by the report OF any
committee
Mr.. WHYrE, tdem) of Md, said It occurred to him
that the credentials Of any person, after being
placed the custody Of the Senate could not be with
drawn They came TO tho Senate from a sovereign
State, and was the right Of State to lay before the
Senate OF the United States certificate that she had
exercised her sovereign power by eectng Senator OF
the United States without reference 10 the question
whether McEnery or Kellogg was elected Governor OF
Louisiana He argued that Mr. Mcmillan had no right
to come here and ask 10 withdraw his papers. He
moved that the motion to grant the request with
draw be referred TO tho Committee Privileges and
Elections. Rejected without a division.
Mr. BAYARD, ldeml OF Del. inquired in whose
tody these credentials to be delivered in tho
Senate acccded the request They come from tho
State Of Louisiana and could not be delivered TO Mr.
Mcmillan He read from the record 20 show that Mr.
McMlans credentials also presented by Mr.
West and referred the Committee Privileges and
Elections
Mr. HOWE Of Wisconsin, said he did not desire to
raise the issue with any Senator the other side
To the custody value Of these precious papers I'm
dOubtedlv they before the Senate such ghaD0
TO place them the journal and make them
part OF the record. He argued that 1t had
always been the practice OF the Senate TO
allow papers in regard to claims to be
Withdrawn, There papers In regard to the foun-
daon for seat In the Senate The who pre-
ferred the claim had become sick OF and dsgusted
and he tMr. Howe) thought It highly creditabe
him. No injustice would be done by allowing the claim
to be withdrawn, and be in favor OF IT,
Mr. BAYARD said he believed his soul that Mr.
McEnery the legal Governor OF louisiana and had
been kept from hls place by usurpatlon and federal