The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-12-06


how they should exercise the right OF sut-
frage. The artisans and operatives OF New
England were men who build churches
and schools and seminsries, carried their
knowledge, energy and industry to the
western country, eve / 70 Ohio. Laugh
ter be argued that the whole aspect
of this resolution was TO correct an evil
and TO fit representation in the next
House Of Representatives. II had moth.
ing to do with the Presidential election.
Mr.. Morton said the preamble OF the
resolution reclted one provision OF the
Fourteenth amendment. If the pream-
BILE should be cut off no one would deny
the power of the Senate to make inquiry.
He then read the resolution adopted by
the House OF Representatives yesterday,
and argued that if il was legitimate for
the Democratic House oil Representatives
10 make such inquiry, it certainly ~ss
competent for Republican Senate to do
the same thing.
Mr.. Bayard said for many years past ne
had believed the peace OF the country and
the tranquility which the Constitution
of the United States intended TO oprotect,
had all been threaten ed by laws passed
by the Congress of the United States.
He argued that Congress mad no right
to undertake the control Of the several
States. He mad come TO this session Of
Congress more seriously impressed with
the oyerhsnging pressure -; dan
ger to our form Of government
than ever before, and he had been con-
convinced i was MS duty TO oppose,
successfully or unsuccesSfully, this con-
solidated march which the Republican
party had set on foot. He proposed to
stand bv the strict construction OF the
Constitution, and denied that in any OF
the Southern States there had been dis
elimination against the 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 when
this love of Jaw would be tested, and he
proposed TO stand on that law and let the
consequences take care OF themselves
The duty of the Senators was not rs
Democrats or Republicans, but as
Americans, 10 do all in their power TO
uphold the Constitution as handed down
TO US by our forefathers, and not under
take the settlement Of questions not con-
ided 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 that he
would vote against the first three IesoIu-
tions because he accepted the decision
OF the Supreme Court OF the United
States In constituting the Fourteenth
Amendment. In regard TO the recent
elections in some of the States, he was in
favor Ol immediate and prompt action,
and he proposed to offer substitute Tor
the last resolution which would cause a
thorough scrutiny Of the elections IN
/ those States.
Mr.. Merrlman substituted an amend
ment TO the. first resolution: That the
| committee sha. be confined to the IN
quiry whether the right of any person
to vote has been denied or abridged by
/ the constitution or laws Of said States.
The amendment was rejected by II vote
Of a to 80, il being Il strict party vote.
| Mr.. Bogy moved 20 strike out the first
part Of the preamble relating TO the
/ Fourteenth amendment Rejected by 4
| vote of q 10 40.
The first resolution, authorizing the
committee to inquire into the election IN
/ South Corolina, Georgia. Alabama, Mis-
sssippi Florida and Louisiana for the
wears 1874, 1875. 1876, etc, was then
agreed to-4l TO 21;a party vote
The second resolution, authorizing the
employment OF stenographers and en-
powering n com mittee to send for per-
sons, papers, etc was agreed to without
! division.
The third resolution. IN regard to
/ depositlons, was Also agreed 10.
| Mr.. Whyte then submitted tAe follow
| ing as a substitute tor the resolution OF
Mr.. Edmunds
Resolved, That II select committee OF
| nine members Of the Senate be appoint
ed to investigate the recent relations ih
the States OF South Carolina, Florida
ard Louisiana and the action OF
the Returning Boards in SAID
/ States IN reference thereto. and 10
report all facts essential 10 al honest re-
| turn of votes received bv the electors for
said States. for President aud NIce-Presl-
dent of the United States, and whether
/ said States are entitled 70 be considered
/ 10 the count of the electoral votes OF the
States, and for the speedy execution ofthis
purpose, the said Committee shall have
power to send for persons and papers, to
| administer Oaih-. 10 take testimony and
at their discretion 10 detail sub
| Committees with like authority
to send for persons aud paper,
! T. administer OstHs aud u
take testimony, and sad c,mmittee
and sub committees s'e empowered
to employ s;ernograpners, clerks and
messenger, and shall be attended By s
/ deputy sergeant alarms. That said COM
/ nI,tee De and is hereby instructed ~
/ INQUIRE into the eligibility 70 office
/ uDde- the Constitution OF the United
/ States. OF anv person alleged 10 have
been ineligible on the 7:h day OF No
yenber last. or 70 be ineligible as cleo
tors of President and Wee President o.
the United ; q O., tsShom certificate
of election have been or shall b. ls.ueC
by the executive authority OF any State
A. such electors and whether th'
appointment Of electors, or those claim
iaE to be sucn iu any oil the States hat
been made either by force, fraud or oLLe
mesns otherwise thsn in conformity with
the Constitution mi laws Otthe tnI:et
Ststes and the Avs Of the respective
states. and whether such appointment, oI
the action Of any such e.ecto- had beer
in any wise uncolstitutionsIly Or unlsw
fully inter;eret With.
Af.e- some discussion the su5stitut
was rejected without division.
The question being on the last reso!u
tior o Mr.. Etinunde n regard 10 ID
ire.igibi0ity OF electors. !: was agree 4
bv 4etol II, Mes.rs Cockerell, Mcdonald
Randolph. Ransom and Wallace yotiu.
with the Repu5.lcsnsin the affirmative
The preaubls Was then sgreed 70.
Mr.. Edmund, gave notice that b.
would move = axe up to-norroT 20,
igintreso.u,i0a respecting the method o