Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1877-12-12


: actual fraud, to determine who wer
} the duly elected Electors of Louisana
D and that this results from the right Q
}. n State to regulate her own aflairi
! How then can we 60 behind the deci
. sion Of the Supreme Court of the Stat
D as to which OF the two bodies is th
rightful Legislature Of the State ?
! have always been Republican | an
one today, unless it Is impossible 70
fme TO vote my convictions on a ques
J ton We are deciding as judges an,
still be a Republican. believe maj
may be both an honest man and q Re
publican il not, the former is prefcra
bic to the latter All reports, all whis
perings, that | have formed a coalli
ton with the Democrats are utterly
false. No Democrat, indeed, inside Of
outside Of this chamber, has ever ap
preached me with assurances of beneti
to myselfifI would vote to seat Butler
and one reason why make this plair
declaration OF my purpose Is that
may not be approached with like as
surances by my political friends if
will vote the other way. [Manifesta
tions of applause in the galleries, which
were checked by the Vice President.
Mr.. Edmunds, resuming, said he fell
il TO be an unpleasant duty to test the
sense Of the Senate IN order that the
honor Of all Senators might be vindi
Gated and the truth be known by hav.
ing an inquiry into this whole business
The Senators saw on Thursday last,
and the people of the country saw,
some scenes which occurred in the
Senate chamber respecting the conduct
ofpersons claiming seats, and Senators
as we'll, which caused shock, a sense
Of shame and humiliation on both sides
Of the chamber. That was followed
by u statement in the public press, to
the effect that one Of the members Of
the Senate, being under indictment in
one Of the States of this Union for the
alleged crime of bribery in securing
his election TO the Senate, must either
vote for the admission of certain ap.
plicant or 60 TO the penitentiary.
Mr.. Patterson Is. c. said if the SEN
ator (Mr. Edmunds) said that he pat
terson) made bargain of that kind he
said what was not true. Sensation. |
Mr. Edmunds said it was one Of the
duties Of n Senator and gentleman to
be careful in his statements. He re.
peated the statement as made in the
public newspapers, that the Senator
was under Indictment for the alleged
oflense of having secured his election
by bribery.
Mr. Gordon ga inquired where the
Senator got this information.
Mr.. Edmunds replied ii was the COM
mon statement on the streets and in
the public prints, one of which he held
in bis hand.
Mr.. Salisbury (Delawarc) arose to a
point OF order and stated that no charge
was pending before the Senate against
any Senator. The Senate owed il to
the moralltics of this body that scand-
abs s.g aims, Senators 'eboald NO. DO in
dulged in on the floor without specific
charges had been made against such
Senator. lie therefore thought the
Senator from vermsnt Mr.. Edmunds)
was out Of order. The Vice President
overruled the point Of order, and said
be did not understand the Senator from
Vermont as making charges against
any Senator.
Mr.. Gordon said the Senator from
Vermont (Mr. Edmunds) has seen fit
to arraign, by insinuation, not only two
of his former party associates, but Sen
ators on the Democratic side of the
chamber, for what he was pleased to
call corrupt bargain, and that, too,
upon the evidence of newspaper arti-
cles and reports and whisperings around
the Capitol. Now, Mr.. President, why
this indirection? Sir, wish to place
that Senator upon notice, that if this
side OF the chamber or any member Of
this body is to be arraigned upon such
testimony we might justly retaliate. II
corruption is to be charged by insinu.
alton and inuendo, which | viii not fol
low Webster in saying is the basest
subteringc of cowardicc, of malice and
of ialsehood, let il be understood that
upon like evidence might arraign that
side Of the chamber for having invoked
u Judge upon the bench to hold the dc.
clsion in u criminal prosecution over
the head of Senator 40 as to induce
him to change the political course he
has pursued for the last few days. But,
sir, | only rose to protest against such
destinations and to put that Senator up.
on notice that upon such evidence |
could demonstrate that Republican
Senators had sought to influence
Judge to use bis fearful powers on the
bench tor political ends, had sought TO
change the very temple of justice into
the altar of sacrifice for Senator who
chose to vote according TO the dictates
OF bis conscience.
Mr.. Edmunds replied if the Senator
(Mr. Gordon) had heard any such ru.
mors he could not be too speedy in
bringing the matter before the Senate,
and he (Mr. Edmunds) would give
what little influence he had to secure
an investigation.
Mr.. Edmnnds then read Washing
ton dispatch to the New York Tribune
of Friday last in regard to Mr. Patter.
sons vote and conversation between
him and Mr.. Butler in the cloak room
OF tho Senate, in which the latter or
dercd Mr.. Patterson to 60 into the Sem
ate and vote. He (Mr. Edmunds)
thought tins matter worthy of inquiry,
and therefore moved TO amend the res
olution of the Senator from Ohio so as
to read
Rssoirsd, Tha, the committee on privileges and
elections be aud Il is herob instructed TO inquire
forthwith, and report a. toou as may DO. whether
any threats, promises or arrangements respecting
existing or contemplated accusations or criminal
prosecutions against any Senator, or any other
corrupt or otherwise unlawful means or Influences,
have beei In any manner used or put In opera
tion. directly or indirectly, by NJ. @. Butler, one
Of the claim ,nts 10 n seat in the Senate from the
State Of south Carolina, or by any other Senator
or other person. for the purpose ~ influencing the
vote VI any Senator on the question Of discharg.
ing said committee from the confederation Of SAID
N. c. Builers cred ntals, or any other question,
at the present session Of the Senate aud that said
committee have power TO send for persons aud
papers aud to sit during the sittngs of the Senate
PArrERsoN's PLEA ron FAIR PLAY.
Mr.. Patterson said he appealed to
/, ,ka manhood mud tha a.psa AT iuattce