The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-11-28
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

ON PRIVILEGES AND ELECTIONS.
Tho Committee on Privileges and Elections con-
clude their report on tho credentials OF Mcsss Kol-
logg and Sponord as folows:-
II Is contended ny Mr. sponord that tho Legislature
which elected Mr. Kellogg aud the Governor who
signed his credentials have vanished from political
existence and ceased to havo any authority IN the
state OF Louisiana, and that therefore, II tor no other
reason, his own election 10 valid. q
Your committee nnd that at and after tho oraaniza-
an vcrwhcming array OF armed ana organized miii-
ary force used to destroy and crush the law
iu State government Of LOUISIANA. BY 1t the courts
were ovcrthrown and annihilatcd and under its
stantly impending menace the me- full grad.
ualiy melted away and IT'S terrorzed members sought
safety In the socalIed Nichols % stature abdicnIed
thor rights. BY such and perha, ner equally illegal
means tho socalled Alcholls Legsa a, length cano
lawfully elected TO tho Gcnoral Assembly, and
Oath day OF April that Legislature chose Mr. Sponord
the contestant, Senator OF Tho United States Your
committee are OF The opinion that his claim 10 not
well founded Until and after the election OF Mr.
Kellogg Governor Packard and what is known as his
legislature were do acto and do jure the
OF Louisiana. Upon this Legislature devolved the
duty OF cecting Senator Of the United States That
Kellogg. No subsequent events, especially successful
revolution through reasonable force. could unao
s wha. nsd been lawfully done Tho doctrine
would render insecure all political vcstod rights.
Il wouia offer premium 10 overthrow Dy
and distant day reduce this country to tho n.
happy condition of those wretched communities which
Your committee, therefore, report tho following reso.
lutions and recommend their psssagc:-
Resolved, That William Pist Kellogg is. upon the
morits 0i the case, lawfully entitled a seat IN the
Senate OF the United States from the State OF LOUIS
lana, for the term Of Elk years, commencing the
thereto upon taxing the proper oath.
Resolved, That Henry ~ sponord IS not entitled to
. seat IN tho Senate or the United States
Tho report OF tho minority OF tho Committee on
Privileges and Elections, prepared by Senator Mcrri
rnon al hv n
HILL argues that facts and circumstances point
strongly TO the conclusion that the main II not the
only purpose Of the Packard Legislature was to elect
Mr.. Kellogg Senator. The report reviews the powers
and acts Of the Returning Board the laws and those
clauses OF the constitution OF Louisiana applicable to
the case ard the statements Of Msssra Kellogg and
Sponorl submitted to the committee 1t characterzes
tho action OF tho ReturAing Board a. unlawful and
corrupt and Continues, stating that the minority
mot cscape tho conviction that this action con-
nivod It bud encouraged by persons &C.
cupytng important stations In and out
OF tho State OF Louisiana After q re-
cisa OF the Organization OF tho Nichols
Legislature tho report concludes, asserting that
only by the arbitrary exercise OF lawiess, dcspotic
power can tho Senate admit a senator claiming to
have boon elected by body of men who claimed 10
have boon the Legislature Of tho State CON-
pleey disappeared and that such act on tho part
OF tho Senate could only be regarded as defiance OF
tho authority, right and will Of the State and
suit to lie dignity. Furthermore, II would shock the
moral sense Of tho American people and afford cause
for profound dsrust and alarm for safety o: our
system OF government, and that as MIR. .SpoGord's
credentials all respects comply with tho require
ments OF law, he Is entitled to seat In the United
States Senate
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Tho Cabinet to-day devoted attention particularly TO
the Presidents Message II was agreed upon by the
various heads Of departments not publish their re-
ports until the day OF the meeting OF tho regular
session.
THE PATTERSON CASINO DECISION TO BE
RENDERED THIS WEEK.
Judge Humphreys has yet announced his doci-
sion n Senator Patterson habeas corpus case Tho
Judge has expressed his Of tho great importance
OF the question: involved and his desire 10 giyo the
fullest possible consideration and to proceed
with In the most deliberate manner II had,
no said, boon in the hands OF tho counsel
for about two months; lengthy arguments involving
now questions had been made upon II, and many
authorities cited. or all these he had made careful
note and 70 them he would givo his bcst attention 1t
was plainly subject that should not BIO hurried and
he thought that he would render no decision
upon until alter the close OF tho present
WtsB n least He had promised TO notify tho At.
tornoy General Of South Carolina Of tho time OF abe
decision, SO that hc could DO present. and this notice.
with time, for travel &C., would occupy several days
nsy, therefore, be stated nuthofAtvsly that tnore
will be NO decision in tho Patterson case this week.
THE SAMOAN GOVERNMENT AT THE STATE DE-
PARrMENT--wrsHEs OF THE IsLAND GOVERN
MENr-A TREATY TO DE NEGOTIATED.
m haas nj tho gam ~
Lcmanea, In company with Mr.. ColmcsniL his coun-
sci, appointed by the government to assist
aim In negotiations with tho Unitod States,
had Interview with tho Secretary OF
State yesterday and presented his credentials
He iAssoducod to The Secretary by Senator Mitch
ell The credentials OF Mr.. Lcmanca fully authorize
him 10 enter into treaty with the United states tho
nature OF which must DO determined blythe, will OF
this country. Tho Samoans would prefer annexation
or a protcctorate, but dosirous, II nothing
moro DO accomplished, to negotiate q treaty
OF amity and commerce. The Ambassador Is the
elected Secretary OF State Of his country lie has
fair knowledge Of tho English language, which no has
acquired by studying edition OF tho Bible trans
latcd into bis native tongue with an English tex.
added.
The Secretary OF State received him cordially and
manifested much interest In his account OF the pro.
ducts and commercial Importance or tho Samoan
Islands, ana Secretary Evars arranged present him
to the President on Wednesday. 1t IS probable that
treaty favorable TO tho interests OF tho United
States will be negotiated without oppo.
si,ion. The British government has hereto
forc offered to annex the islands, but for many
years tho ISLANDERS have with great pertinacity chung
10 their hope OF alliance with tho United States
II atreaty Of commerce ma amity be negotiated the
Samoan government will, doubtless, grant TO the
United States tho sole right the harbor Of Page
Page tor q coang station. Admiral Wilkes, in HIS re-
port. pronounced IL tho bcst harbor In the South
Pacific
SENATOR RANsoM's ILLNESS
Senator Ransom had an attack OF vcrigo late last
night In the senate. Hc had mado quito heated
reply to Senator Hoar and upon taking nis seat
seized with sudden and severe illness, helped