The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-11-27

| and wishes of the Republican party in South
| Carolina when vote to seat Ger. M. G, But
Ter.
After the conclusion of Mr.. Patteerson's re.
marks Mr.. Conover spoke at some length.
Mr.. Edmunds said he felt it an unpleasant
task to test the sense of the Senate in order
that the honor of all the Senators would be
indicated aud that the truth might be known
by having an inquiry into this whole business
The Senators saw Thursday last and the pep
pie of the country. saw some scenes which oc-
CURED in the Senate chamber respecting the
conduct of persons claiming Seats and Sens-
Tors as we'll, which caused a shock, sense of
shame and humiliation on both sides of the
chamber. That was followed by statement
10 the public press that enc of the members of
the Senate beng under an Indictment in one of
the states in the Union for alleged crime of
bribery in securing his election to the Senate
must either vote for the admission of a certain
applicant or go to the penitentary.
Mr.. Patterson said that if Senator Edmunds
said he Patterson made a bargain Of that k nd
he said what was not true. (Sensaton.)
Mr.. Edmunds said it was one of the duties of
Senator and gentleman to be careful in his
statements. He repeated the staement as made
in the public newspapers that the Senator was
under an indictment for the alleged offence Of
having secured his election by bribery.
MIR. Gordon of Ga. inquired where the Sena-
tor got this information.
Mr.. Edmunds replied that it was the COM
mon statement on the streets and in the public
prints one of which he held in his hand
Mr.. Salisbury of Delaware arose to point
order and stated that no charge was pending
before the Senate against any Senator The
Senate owed it TO the moralities of this body
that scandals against Senators should not be
INDUCED in on this floor without specific
charges had been made against such Senator.
He therefore thought the Senator from Yer
mont (Edmunds) was out of order.
The Vice President oveIraledtthe point of Or
der and said he did not understand the Senator
from Vermont as making charges against any
Senator.
Mr.. Gordon said the Senator from Vermont
(Edmands) had seen fit to arraign by insipua-
ton not only two of his former party associates
but Senators on the Democratic side of the
chamber for what he was pleased to call cor
rupt bargain; and, sir, upon what evidence?
Now, MIR. President, why this indirection? l
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. If corruption is to be
charged by iDsinuation and inuendo, which is the
basest subterfuge of cowardice malice and false
hood, let it be understood that upon like
evidence l might arrajgn that side of the
chamber for having invoked Judge upon the
bench to hold the decision 10 criminal pros
ecutlon over the head of Senator so as to in-
duce him to change the political course he has
pursued for the last few days, l only rose to
protest against such insinuations and to put
that Senator upon notice that upon such evil
dence L could demonstrate that Republican
Senators had sought to influence Judge to
use his fearfol powers on the bench for poiti-
cal ends, had sought to change the very tenn
pie OF justice into the altar of sacrifice for
Senator who chose to vote according to the die
tates of his conscience.
Mr.. Ednunds thought this matter worthy of
inquiry and therefore moved to amend the mo
ton of the Senator from Ohio to read:
ResolUed That the Committee on Privileges
and Elections be instructed to inquire forth
with and report as soon as may be whether