Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-03-08
SPECIAL SESSION OF THE SENATE.
MONDAY, March s.

Mr.. Clayton submitted a resolution to ap-
point committee Of four members of the
Committee on Indian Affairs and three
members OF the Committee on Territories to
visit
THE INDIAN TERRITORY
during the recess TO inquire into the coudi-
ton of affairs there, the manner in which
justice is administered, the wants OF the in
habitants thereof in regard to self govern
ment and 20 report ut next session.
Mr.. Ferry tCOnn0 raised the point that the
resolution was not i'll order, as at a Gale
session Of the Senate no business of a legis-
lative character not looking to legislation
can be considered.
Mr. Salisbury opposed the authority to
send ont any committee during the recess at
the public expense. without there was some
gr' a. object to be gained by il.
Mr.. Clayton, while not proposing 10 dis
cuss the merits of the question at this time
said there were very important questions to
be considered in connection with this sub
iect
The Vice President said he wOuld submit
the point of order raised by Mr.. Ferry 10 the
Senate.
Mr. Edmunds said this was an important
question, and he moved to postpone its fur
ther consideration Till tomorrow; which was
agreed 10.
COLUMBIA INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF AND
DUMB.
The Vice President announced the appoint
ment OF MIR. Edmunds as a member of the
board OF directors for the Columbia Institute
for the Deaf and Dumb for two years from
March s. 1875.
Mr.. Morton called up his resolution for the
admission Of
MR.. PINCHBACK
TO the Senate.
Mr.. Morton said this matter of Mr.. Pinch
back had been so deliberately discussed that
every old member of the Senate was thor
Oughly acquainted with 1t. and no doubt
tired of it. Still as there were number of
new Senators who might not have given so
much attention to it, he would briefly state
the reasons why in his opinion Mr.. Pinch
back should be admitted. He argued that
Mr.. Iinchbacks credentials were in due
form, that his case was lgiBIa 6fcie
one, and that any doubts as TO his right
to hold the seat should be Investigated
afterwards. He quoted several presidents to
larry the recent cases of Mr.. Goldthwaite
and Mr.. Spencer In the cases of both of
these Senators objection was made to their
being sworn in on account Of questions being
pending as to the legality of their cleo lions.
The Senate decided that they should be
sworn in on the prima facia ease. and the in
yeStlgatiOn should be conducted afterwards.
lie also quoted at some length from the ac
ton OF the Senate in relation to the case of
Gen. Shields. He held that the integrity OF
this body required that when an applicant
presented his credentials in due form he
should be admitted; otherwise, on frivolous
objections the numerical majority of one
party might be maintained for a long time.
He then set forth that the Senate had no right
nor power to go behind the credentials signed
by Governor Kellogg, who was the recognized
governor of the state. He said this was
question which rose above all parties, and
before which party interests sunk into con-
temptible insignificance. SO far as his ac-
ton was concerned, he intended to stand
for the proper rights of the states:
And one of these rights he held
was to decide who were their own officers
governor, &c. Mr.. kellogg has been the gov
eTDor of Louisiana in point of fact for more
than two years; he has exercised all the func-
tons of governor; has been recognized by all
the courts Of the state, and all the other de-
paTtmeDts of the state government. Mr.
kelloggs government has been the only gov
eminent of the state. The McEnery govern
ment he'd never any other existence than on
paper. In the face of all the facts i'm this case
there is no principle or no precedent by which
the Senate can refuse to recognize the exist
ing government of Louisiana, or the validity
of the credentials signed by Mr. Kellogg
Without concluding Mr. Morton gave way
and the Senate went into executive session
after which il adjourned.