The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-11-24
WASHINGTON.
The Case of senator Patterson,

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25.-The arguments in
the case of Senator Patterson of South Cafoli-
ma, were resumed before Judge Humphreys
last night Some weeks ago Patterson was ar
rested on a requisition issued by the govern
ment. Hampton and his counsel sued out
habeas corpus to stop the operation of the war
rant. Mr.. John Lowndes representing the
state of South Carolina, concluded the argu-
ment. He commended that if Patterson should
not be turned over to the courts of South Caro-
lima, this city would become an asylum for
criminals, and that great wrong to the cause Of
Justice would be done.
Judge Shellabarger, of the counsel for Pat
terson, argued that this was the first case in
which the executive of state had attempted
to inv ade the United States Senate and take
away from it one of its members, and that it
was all important that in this first case the
court should interfere and prevent inca'culable
wrong. He held that not only could the court
look into the warrant but that it was compe-
tent for the court to try the question as to wheth
er the order to extradite ought to have been is
sued. He argued at some length that Patterson
was in no sense fugitive FROM justice, and
that under no circumstances could he be con-
sdered as such.
The court adjourned further hearing until to-
day. Mr. Patterson remained outside in the
hall during the proceedings, and seemed to take
but little interest in them.
The President and the Silver Sill.
NEW YORK, Nov. 23.-The Evening Post
prints the following despatch from Washing
ton:
SIN regard to the denial of the report about
the Presidents intentions toward the silver
bill, L can say that General Banks informed
me yesterday that the President had said some
thing such as was telegraphed on Wednesday
to him al other members of the Ways and
Means Committee. There can he no earthly
doubt that the President expressed himself just
as stated without expecting that his utteranc
vyOu6 into mint SENATOR'S Dawes and
Sargent among others told me in private con-
versation three days ago that the President
would not sign the Bland silver bill.
The Army.
Gen. Sherman was before the Military Com
mittee this morning, but the hearing for the
most part related to details of little public in
terest. Referring to the statement recently
made in the House that there were two regl
ments stationed in Washington which might be
sent to the front, the General said chat Instead
of two regiments there was but one company
bere at the arsenal, for the protection of public
property. In reply to question by MI Bragg,
he expressed the opinion that there ought al
ways TO be regiment in New Orleans to pro-
tect the property of the United States against
thieves, and in reply to Mr. Banning, said none
Of the troops (about 1000 are scattered at differ
ent points in the division of the Atlantic) could
be spared for frontier service without unwar-
rantably exposing property of the government
to plumber Or decay.
The Secretary of War also testified briefly,
confirming, SO far as his examination went, the
views of Gen. Sherman.
The Vote ON the Anfi-Resumpfion Bill.
From an analysis of the vote of the House
on the aDti-Iesumptlon bill it appears that %
Republicans voted with los Democrats for the
passage, and that 30 Democrats voted with 80
Republicans against it,
Caucns of the Republican Senators.
The caucus of Republican Senators, held to-
day, was called for the purpose of determining
whether the Senate shall consent to a final ad-
tournament of Congress befor5 its expiration by
constitutional Limitation. The political stua.
ton in regard to the contested seats was not re-
terred to. The caucus unanimously adopted
resolutions that the Senate should not adjourn
while any executive business still remained up
on its docket or in the hands of any of the
committees.
Msiority Report i'm Favor of Kellogg.
At meeting of the Senate Committee on
Privileges and Elections this afternoon Mr.
Williams offered the following resolution which
was agreed to by party vote of to 3:
Resolved, That this committee report to the
Senate that VIM. Pitt Kellogg is, upon the
merits of the case, lawfully elected to seat in
the United States Senate from Louisiana, for
six years commencing March 4th, 1877, and
that Henry M. Spofford is not entitled to seat
therein, and that the chairman of this commit
tee be directed to prepare and present to the
Senate report accordingly.
The minority will submit report declaring
Spofford entitled to the seat.
The clerk of the committee was ordered to
notify j. B, Eustis of Louisiana that the COM
mittee was ready to consider his case Monday,
and also to notify Corbin and Butler, contest
ants from South Carolina, to file their state
ments and arguments with the committee forth
with and to advise the committee whether they
desire to be heard in support of their respec-
tive claims.