Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1877-10-17
peculations and ono Of lhom in nl

J. peculations and one of them in a
, things but in courage.
| The case Of Senator John ]. Pattel
son is one Of great public interest,
ho were but common thief who ha,
not intruded himself by his crimes int
the first legislative tribunal of the ma
ton, he would attract no moro atten
ton than the average swindler who i
dragged to justice every day. But h,
is Senator OF the United States; sit
now unquestioned where sat Clay ant
Webster and in the very chair Of Cal
houn; has been recognized and accep
ted in the era of Generalization that
swept honor and dignity from almost
every sanctuary, and now he is claim.
ed as an indicted felon 10 answer the
demands Of justice in the courts of the
State that will ever blush to lisp his
name. That he climbed into the Senate
by unmingled debauchery and that bis
presence there has been standing re.
proach TO the body and to the nation,
are accusations which have passed the
bounds of dispute; but he u to be
treated as Senator because he is n
Senator, and his rights are Just the
same as ifa Morton or a Bayard were
pleading their Senatorial prerogatives
The requisition for his rendition to the
State from which he has long since
fled reached Washington on Friday
night; but he was conveniently ab.
sent and his counsel, who alone had
access to him, did not allow the ser.
vice of tho warrant of arrest issued by
Chief Justice Carter, until they were
fully prepared to proceed at once by
writ OF habeas corpus to release him
The writ being one Of right, was
promptly served, and the discharge Of
the Senator asked for because be is a
Senator of the United States because
he is in Washington in discharge of
bis official duties and is not, therefore,
fugitive from Justice. This raises
his Senatorial privilege, which under
the Constitution forbids bis arrest OK.
cept for treason, felony or breech of
the peace. Tho offenso for which he
is indicted in South Carolina is a felo. |
ny by statute in that State, although
lot Of felony at common law, and il |
would seem reasonable TO assume that
in determining the grade of the offense
the law of South Carolina, and not the
law Of the District of Columbia, must
govern. Again, he pleads that the
court at which the indictment was
found was not the regular term of the
court; not held at the proper time and
place authorized by law, and therefore
The indictment is void. 1t is not pro.
baby that any judicial tribunal outside
Of South Carolina will assume to ques.
lion the legal authority of a recogniz-
I'd court whose process comes proper
y clothed with all the ceremonies of
he law but how Washington court
nay decide any question that has a
political flavor is not safe conjecture.
The hearing on the writ OF habeas
corpus has been continued until the
9Th inst, two days after tho meeting
II Congress, The Senate will then be
n session, and to that tribunal Patter.
on will be compelled to submit his
'ase. The body cannot escape the is.
ue if it would, and it must take i'm.
MEDIATE cognizance of the question.
fortunately there are no supreme DO.
itical necessities to warp the judg. !
nent Of Senators, and the Senate can {
each dispassionate decision Of the s
rave dispute. True, the Senate is so !
lose politically as TO bc doubtful on
artisan issues, and under ordinary
circumstances question that involv- :
d the retention or dismissal of a mem. !
er would be likely to summon party g
mes; but neither side trusts Patter. |
on's political fidelity and mono care TO !
ave his uncertain vote floating in the !
oubtiul contests of the future. His !
ase will, therefore, be considered and /
ecidcd with very little regard to his
olitical importance in the Senate, and !
just deliverance on the vital points I
Hised may bc expected with reason $
BILE confidence. The case of Cald.
ell, OF Kansas, is precedent that >
'ould seem to leave little hope for
atterson, and he has less charac. c
II than Mr.. Caldwell TO withstand q
10 assault that is about TO be made !
n him; but his very helplessness will .
Iake the Senate cautious about OK. :
osing itself to the imputaiton of hurl. y
Ig friendless adventurer, that it a
nee welcomed, from its membership, q
ithout a record that would justify a .
ke judgement against better man. G
= philadelphia Times. s.