The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-12-06

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any such statute. The laws OF thos
States acted alike on both the white ant
colored voters. Who had possession o
South Carolina and Louisiana since III,
war? The Republican party. who hac
possession OF Alabama, until within IN,
last two years2 The Republican party
yet it was claimed that the rights Of ii,
colored voters had been abridged. Th,
intent Of this resolution was simply to g
into the question OF intimidation, and 4
furnish satisfactory reason for these Re
turning Boards throwing out votes ant
electing other men than those chosen b.
the people. Six States were involved II
this resolution, why did not the Senator
from Vermont extend It everywhere
Had he never heard Of employees In grea
manufactures being marched up to the
polls, and made 10 vote as their employ
ers, who stood at the window, dictated?
Mr.. Ednonds-I never heard OF but
one instance Of that kind, and that was q
case OF Democratic manufacturer In
Connecticut, who made his employees vote
the Democratic ticket.
Mr.. Morton said the preamble to the
resolution recited one provision OF the
l4th amendment. II the preamble should
be cut off no one weuld deny the power
OF the Senate 10 make the inquiry. He
then read the resolution adopted by the
House Of Representatives yesterday, and
argued that II It was legitimate for q
Democratic House Of Representatives To
make such inquiry, 1t certainly was com.
petent for Republican Senate to do the
same thing.
Mr.. Bayard said that for many years
past be bad believed the peace OF the
country and the tranquility which the
Constitution Of the United States intend.
ed 10 protect had all been threatened by
laws passed by Congress. He argued
that Congress had no right to undertake
the control OF the several States. He had
come to this session OF Congress more
seriously impressed with the overhanging
presence OF danger 10 our form Of govern.
ment than ever before, and he was con-
vinced oi:his duty to oppose successfully
or unsuccessfully this consolidated march
which the Republican party had sc. on
foot. He proposed to stand by the strict
construction OF the Constitution, and de.
MED that in any Of the Southern States
there had been any discrimination against
voters on account Of race or color by any
law or statute Of such States. There was
coming to this Senate and to this people
time wheu their love Of law would be
tested, and he proposed to stand on that
law and let tho consequences take care Of
themselves. The duty ofthe Senators was
not as party men, not as Democrats or
Republicans, but as Americans, to do all
in their power to uphold the Constitution
as handed down to US by eur fathers, and
not undertake the settlement OF questions
not confded to the Senate and Congress
by the Constitution.
On motion OF Mr.. Whyte, it was order
ed that the resolutions Of Mr.. Edmunds
be voted on separately. He said he
would vote against the three first resolu-
tions because he accepted the decision OF
the Supreme Court OF the United States
in constituting tho l4th amendment. In
regard to the recent election in some Of
the States, he was in favor Of immediate
and prompt action, and he proposed to
offer a substitute for the last resolution
which would cause q thorough scrutiny
Of the election in those States.
Mr.. Merrimon submitted an amend.
meat to the FIRST resolution, that the com.
mit,ee shall be confined TO the inquiry
whether the right OF any person to vote
has been denied or abridged by the Con.
stitution and laws Of said States. Reject.
ed, "a TO SEA strict party vote.
Mr.. Boggy moved to strike out the pre-
amble. Rejected.
Mr.. Mcdonald moved to strike out the
first part Of the preamble, relating 10 the
18th amendment. Rejected, q to 40.
The frat resolution, authorizing the
committee to inquire into the elections
in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama,
Mississippi, Florida and Louisiana for
the years 1874, '75 and 70, etc., was then
agreed to, Al to 25-a party vote.
The second resolution, authorizing the
employment Of s,epographers and EN-.
powering the committee TO send for
persons and papers, etc, was agreed to
without division.
The third resolution, in regard 10
depositions. was also agreed to.
Mr.. Wright then submitted the follow.
ing as substitute for the resolution Of
Mr.. Edmunds.
Resolved, That select committee OF
nine members Of the Senate be appointed
to investigate the recent elections in the
States OF South Carolina, Florida and
Louisiana and the action Of the Return
ing Boards In said States In reference
thereto, and to report all the facts essen
tial to an honest return Of the votes re-
ceived by the electors Of said States for
President and Vice President Of the
United States and whether said States
are entitlsd to be considered in the count
OF the electoral votes Of the States, and
for the speedy execution Of this purpose
the said committee shall have power TO
send for persons and papers, to administer
oaths, 10 take testimony, and at their dis
cretion, detail subcommittee with like
authority to send for persons and papers,
to administer oaths and take testimony,
and said committee and sub committees
are empowered to employ stenographers,
clerks and messengers, and shallbe atten-
ded by deputy Sergeant.at.arms; that
said committee be and Is hereby instructed
to inquire into the eligibility to office
under the Constitution Of the United
States, OF and persons alledged to have
been ineligible on the 7th day Of Noyem.
ber last, or 10 be eligible as electors OF
the President and Vice President Of the
United States, TO whom certificates Of
election have been or shall be issued by
the executive authority Of any State Us
such, as electors, and whether the ap.
pointment Of the electors, or those claim.
ing to be such in any Of the States, been
made, either by force, fraud or other
means, otherwise than In conformity
with tho Constitution Of the. United
States, and laws Of the respective States,
and whether any such appointment, or
action ofany such elec,or has been 10 any
wise unconstitutionally or unlawfully in
terferred with. .a
After some discussion tho substitute
was rejected without division, the ques.
ton being on the last resolution Of Ed.
munds, 10 regard to the eligibility OF the |
electors. It was agreed to-48 10 II,
Cockerell, Mel Donald, Randolph, Ransom,
and Wallace voting with the Republicans