The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-11-27

4
rial question in Louisiana and votinl
according to my convictions Of the law a
they appeared 10 me on the facts reporlet
by the committee, against the opinions o.
n very large majOrity Of my political aa-
sociates. Now the evident tendency o
what my friend proposes is to compe
me, in exactly the way he stated, int
following my hearty Wishes. Because
cannot gel at the facts aud have no time
10 study the Law, I don't know thai
truth Is to make all presnmplions In favor
Of one side. How il will effect. him
don't know. As he had no presumption
in favSr Of either, he would have TO shut
his eyes and go II blind, and, as be says
frat come frst served, the tirst man thai
Is proposed he wonll have to vote 10 lei
in. For all that | can see, that would
hardly DO, Mr.. President. The mission
otthia body in respect 10 those who COM
pose II, IA not 4 party mission. There
was a time some irenty years ago, a
noted case in respect to certain Senators
from Indiana, when il ia true that party
beat and party prejudice, according 10
The universal judgment Of intelligent
mankind, alterWard set the Constitutiou
and laws At defiance anfseated two men
ola particular party; but Il has not been
lrne Of late, as bad, as corrupt as par.
lles are said to be, because parties have
divided and some members OF one party
II will not say Of both parties, because
believe 1t would not be Irue-hut some
members Of one party have voted against
the admission OF one Of their own pOliti.
cal triehdS. Now, does the Senator Wish
TO drive all the members OF thlt party
which still has little vitality left / sul.
pect, TO do the same thing because they
do not know what the facts are? II he
does, he Is taking q very good way 10 do
1t. j do not think that he can succeed;
We shall see. But my friend says
that there would not be any
practical value in this report
because 1t whould be n divided re.
port. Is there any practical value, let
me ask my honorable friend, who has SO
lately come from that serene hall Of JUS
tice little way OF, in the judgment Of
the court, that il not unanimous? |.
there no value in the argument Of the
counsel? Is there no valne in the con.
snltations and investigation Of the Judges,
although it may happen in the end thst
they do not all concur in opinion 2, Nv
friend would not say that, he would say
exactly the reverse; wherefore then, l.
this hot haste 10 do this anamoloua and
extraordinary thing, which, in respect Of
the seat OF the Senator, venture to be.
lieve, l have not looked up precedeut,
has never been done or proposed before
in order that this claimant, this one
claimant from the State Of South Caroli-
na, shall have his case passed upoa
without investigation and without in.
quiry7 Can anybody answer the ques.
Iion? 1t il said that the committee have
been dilatory. The committee say they
have not; that they had many cases anu
they took the first one, and have deliber-
ated and proceeded with ii, and have
now reported it, and it is stated in tile
newspapers OF only yesterday or the day
before, that thts very applicant from
South Carolina, his case coming on be.
lore the committee, had applied to have
1t postponed. OF course, l do nut-knoW
the secrets Of the committee; | do not
know how they got out; | DO not know
but that Such hearings are public, and II
they are Of course it il the right Of every
body 10 know them. II that be true l.
my honorable friend from Illinois in such
a hurry in respect TO this matter that he
10 willing TO force this gentleman into
the Senate against his own wish for n
postpOnemene or course lie il not. II
know my honorable friend too well, have
respected him too, long, to suspect such =
thing. | therefore appeal to him to re-
consider these suggestions that he has
made and to think whether II Is not bel-
ter for truth, for justice, for law, that We
should have even \ divided report upon
mere question Of law. We shall know
then that it il mere question Of law and
nothing else; and shall have the reapec-
tive views OF the Senator's who are
charged with the duty Of investigation
upon it in order to furnish light
for our own guidance and onr
own instruction. Let US take up
that case which the committee has re.
ported aud which, OF course, il OF inst a.
high a privilege a. the other, and CON
slider that, and before We shall have ia.
ished the consideration Of that / have not
the least question but we shall have a
report on this, and then we shall 90 on
fairly, duly, justly, and shall not have
inflicted blow upon the fundamental
principle OF the Constitution, this body
in respect Of members that are to belong
10 it, by turning il into mere race and
scramble Of partissnship, or corrupt bar
gain, Or sale Of votes, II, as is alleged,
that. il the case which makes It necessary
10 hasten thus matter.
Mr.. McDonald-Mr. President, I should
like TO ask the Senator FROM Vermont IL
he has any evidence Of any corruption or
bargain having been had in respect 10
this or any other matter.
Mr. Edmnnds-Isail as alleged. I will
answer my honorable friend a little fur
iher, however, and say that don't pos
sess myself any legal evidence, became
have sworn no witnesses. will state for
his information that believe It, and will
add. also, that | believe, unless a msiori-
" Of thus body should stiae an inquiry,
II will be proved.
Mr.. Mcdonald Il desire to say that /
believe offers have been made from The
other side.
Mr.. EImunds-Certainly. Mr.. Presi-
dent, my honorable friend has now added
to my statement an important circum-
stance. do not care which side Of this
chamber Senator sits who il in auy
way implicated in any corrupt bargain
or improper proceeding. He must be
dealt with, and il the Senator is correct
in his Information and believes il, he
ought to unite with me in insisting on nm
inquiry.
Mr.. McD,nnld-I will j,ia with The
Senator at any time ia seeking an inYes.
tigatiOn into that fact when he Is ready
for Il.
Mr.. EImunds-certainly my friend
will have au opportunity il be lives a
very short time. Ny honorable friend
from Illinois has stated what | am very
sorry TO hear hiuaSay. There is nothing
improper in the fact itself, but he has
referred 70 the proceedings ia another
branch Of the legislative department OF
the government.
Mr.. Davis, Of Illinois 81 did no. know
that il was not in order.
AZ INl..t. Al