The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-11-28
WASHINGTON.
Minority Report in Favor Of spoaord

Minority Report in Favor Of Spoford.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 27.-The report of the
minority committee on elections, prepared by
Senator Merrimon and signed by him, Sauls-
bury and Hill, argues that the facts and cir
cumstances point strongly to the conclusion
that the main, if not the only purpose of the
Packard legislature was to elect Kellogg sena-
tor. The report reviews the powers and acts of
the returning board. 1t characterizes its ac-
tioR as unlawful and corrupt and contends
that the minority cannot escape the conviction
that this action was connived at and encouI-
aged by persons occupying important stations
in and out of the state. The report concludes
by asserting that only by the arbitrary exercise
of lawless and despotic powers can the Senate
admit senator claiming to be elected by
body of men who claimed to be legislature,
but who have completely disappeared, and as
Spofford's credentials in all respects comply
with the requirements of law, he alone is en-
titled to seat in the U. s. Senate.
Cabinet Meeting.
At the Cabinet meeting today the name of
ex-Congressman Jno. b. Hawley of Illinois
was decided upon as Assistant Secretary of the
Treasury to succeed Gov. Mccormick, whose
resignation so long pending has been accepted
to take effect the LIST of next month. The Cab
met devoted attention particularly to the Presl-
dents message. 1t was agreed upon by the
various heads of departments not to publish
their reports until the day Of the meeting of
the regular session.
Bills Introduced in the House. LII
A bill was introduced in the House by Rep
resentative Schleicher to reduce the cost of the
defence of the south-westerly boundary of the
United States by the construction of railroad
and telegraph 1t authorizes the Secretary of
War to contract for the building and 'equipping
of the same ana appropriates therefor $780, 900
per mile exclusive of sdings and turnouts.
| Representative Banning of Ohio today in.
trodueed bill providing for the repeal of spec
/ ial taxes now imposed upon brewers, rectifers
| wholesale liquor dealers, saloon keepers, manu-
| facturers and wholesale and retail dealers in
| tobacco, cigars, &c.
Majority Report in Favor of Kellogg.
The committee on privileges and elections
conclude their report on the credentials Of
| Kellogg and Spofford as follows:
1t is contended by Spofford that the legisla.
| ture which elected Kellogg and the governor
l who signed his credentials have vanished from
| political existence and ceased to have any au
thority in the state of Louisiana, and therefore
/ if for no other reason, his own election is valid
| Your committee find that after the organiza
| ton of the legislature which elected Kellogg
an overwhelming array of armed and organ
| lied military force was used to destroy and
| crush out the lawful state government of Lou
| isiana. BY it they were overthrown and an
| initiated. The lawful legislature gradually
melted away and its terrorzed members sought
safety in the so-called Nichols legislature OF
| abdicated their rights by such and perhap!
other equally illegal means. The so-calleG
Nichols legislature atilength came to contain
an understood majority of the members law
fully elected to the general assembly, and OIL
the "a day of April that legislature chose Spot
ford, the contestant senator of the United
i States. Your committee are OF the opinion tina
his claim is not we'll founded. Until and afte
the election of Kellogg, Gov. Packard ant
| what is known as his legislature were the d.
facto and de jure government of Louisiana
| Upon this legislature devolved the duty O
electing senator of the United States. Tha
duty was performed by them in the election O.
Kellogg No subsequent events, especial!
successful revolution through treason abl
force could undue what has been lawfully done
The doctrine contended for by Spofford, if es
tablished, would render insecure all vested pc
litical rights. 1t would offer premium to ov
erthrow by force the result in every sharply con
tested election, and at no distant day reduce
this country to the unhappy condition of those
| wretched communities which are continually
| prey to disorder and civil war.
| Your committee therefore report the follow
ing resolution and recommend its passage:
Resolved, That William Pitt Kellogg is upoI
the merits of the case lawfully entitled to
seat in the Senate of the United States from
the state of Louisiana for term of six years
commencing on the 18th day of March, 1877
and that he be admitted there upon taking th
/ proper oath.
Resolved That Henry M. Spofford is not en-
| titled to seat in the Senate.