The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-12-07
F0RrY.FOURTH CONGRESS
WAsa1seTos, December 6

4th, 1876, making an additional grant OF
lands to Minnesota 10 aid in the construc.
tion of railroads in that State. Ordered
lsid on table.
Standing committees were then an
nounced, and il was ordered that all bills
and petitions heretofore presented De re-
TERED to the appropriate committees.
The motions and resolutions regarding
INQUIRY into the late elections in certain
Southern States impose on the Com
mittee on Privileges and Elections iu1-
portapt and arduous duties, and on mo-
ton three additional members vera sp-
pointed.
On motion of Mr.. Morton 1t WAS
ordered that the testimony taken by the
special committee appointed to examine
INTO the question Of the Chinese lmmi-
grafton Company be printed
Mr.. Withers called up the resolution
submitted by him yesterday, requesting
the President 10 inform the Senate, If not
incompatible with public interest, under
what autharity and for what purpose
troops of the United States occupied the
city of Petersburg. Va, on November I,
1876, tho day Of general election.
Mr. Logan moved that 1t be referred
to the Committee on Military Affairs.
A lengthy debate followed, during
which Mr.. Withers argued that 1t was
not usual to refer such resolutions.
Mr.. Logan said ne had heard no rea-
son assigned Tor this inquiry. There was
no evidence that troops mad been sent 10
Petersburg Tor any improper purpose,
and there was no evidence that they had
done anything wrong. Was the doc
tgine 20 be asserted that troops OF the
United States could have no place in any
State where they coald be stationed?
The President Of the United States had
n right to send troops anywhere IN the
United States for lawful purposes. Unless
there was some charge against the Fres
drnt OF putting troops in Petersburg
improperly. this resolution should so to
the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr.. Withers said that in the absence
OF information nc could not say whether
the troops were there lawfully or uDlaw-
FULLY, and It was for the purpose OF get
ting information that ne offered the reso.
luton.
Mr. Thurman said the very object OF
mis- resolution WAS 10 find out II troops
were sent 10 Peters burg for lawful pur-
nose. lie read from the statutes TO show
he Jaw under which troops could be
ordered, and said the burden OF proci
rested on those who sent troops To that
city. 10 show that their presence was
necessary 10 repe armed enemies OF the
United States or ~ keep peace at the
polls.
Mr.. Logan denied that the troops IN
Petersburg were ~ the polls or inter-
cred IN the election. There had been
ro violation of any law in sending An
army Their. suppose the country should
,,.. engaged. today, in 3 troublesome
H would the Senate Of the United
states have the right to inquire OF the
President why he made movement "i
.uy branch Of tue army IL would have
,.e snlne right that il had to inquire why
,roup. were euCalr'i in certain State.
Mr., Nithers said his information was
t. lhe stoct that troops were ordered
there in respoase TO the application OF
lie United States Marshal tor The east
rrn district of Virginia, 70 remain during
Iud election.
Mr. Thurman spoke Of the British
rsws. and said that under M act OF
l'arnamenl 20 troops could be stationed
within mile OF polling place on cleo
'.nn day The Senator from Illinois
Logan seemed 10 think that The Presi-
t.nt Of the United States could Hi
= ,owu full Of troops gu election
day without any violation Of the law.
The Senate had right 10 know
neither or not the President had been
imposed on IN ordering troop 70 Peters.
burg.
Nr.L0gan--ltthe doctrine 81 ena-
tlr from Ohio Thurman Was (, -' ect the
s,ldiers could not he quarter" al any
state on the day Of MI election. and ne
Logan Supposed arrangement mus. be
made 20 send them up in balloon and
cave them up ill after the election.
Mr. Logan argued that the meaning o.
the statute read by Mr.. Thurman was
That troops should not be held at polls t.
,rgimidate men. The argument that
..,1ps could not be stationed IN Il town
,p-u an election was about 10 be held
there was contrary TO common sense.
At the request Of Mr. Logan Mr.
Wlther- then modified his resolution to
read as follows:
Rssilosd. That the President be, and
he Is hereby requested to inform the Sen
,,tr. # not incompatible with public inter
tsl whether troops Of the United States
were stationed at the city OF Petersburg,
in the State OF Virginia, on the 9th OF
November. 1876, the day Of general cleo
lion; if 50 under what authority snd for
what purpose.
Mr., Morton said there was no allega-
ton that these troops Intertered with or
oyerowcd any body. They had u
rioht To be in Petersburg, and the general
condition of the South now and during
tie few past years was q sufficient war
amt toihe President 20 put troops in any
of the Southern States.
Mr.. Sargent IN reply 10 the reference
of MIR. Thurmsn's English law, said that
The elections in England furnished no
usrallel 10 the election III the Southern
states. In England the rights OF both
sides were protected. What were the
events whICo happened in :he Southern
States during the recent Presidential
election? The air WAS full OF reports OF
intimidation and wrong towards the Re
PUBLICAN voters. 1t was not well to be
So sensitive about the use of the army
when II was known that rifle cllbs had
l.ken possession of the polish the South
Mr.. Johnston said this resolution re-
.,trd 10 Virginia and not 20 South Caro-
.ns If the Senator from California, or
any one else. said that there hid been in
,imdation or fraud III Virginia which
iustihed Interference by United States
troops, ne labored under II great mistake
There had been no ku klux, no rifle
clubs in Virginia. and the only intlml-
!a,ion practiced there had been BY the
cp,ored Republicans against the colOred
Democrats. lie denied that there had
been any violence at Petersburg, and no
urs expected tina! there would be any
,rouble there on election day. The PEG.
pie Of Virgin deemed the presence OF