National Republican., 1878-06-06
SENATE.

The CHAIR laid before the Senate a com
munication from the Secretary Of the Treas.
ury rcciting that tho late Professor Joseph
Henry had served as member of the Light
House Board since 1852 without remuneration,
and recommending that an allowance at the
rate Of $500 per annum for the term be made
to his family for such services. Retired to
Committee on Appropriations.
Mr.. EDMUNDS. from the Judiciary Com
mittee, reported a largo number Of bills for the
removal of legal disabilities, which were placed
OIL the calendar.
Mr. MATTHEW'S rose and said Mr.. Presi-
dent, rise TO n personal explanation and q
question Of privilege. feel that owe q duty
TO myself, as well as to the Senate, which,
however unpleasant cannot in justice to
either further postpone or omit.
Tho newspapers, published hero and else
where, contain reports OF statements made
under oath In another place, In reference to
myself, which are calculated to reflect upon
my character and standing as n member Of
this honorable body These statements ap-
pear to be designed to establish
First. That was in some way connected,
by participation or encouragement, In the per-
pctration of alleged frauds in the Presidential
election In 1876 in Louisiana, at or about the
time Of the canvass and return thereof
Second. That was party or privy to promi-
scs of protection and reward to officers
charged with duties In connection with that
election and the returns thereof, made In con-
sideration of frauds and pcrjurics. committed
or to be committed by thon in reference
thereto.
Third. That, having subsequent knowlcdg
Of such frauds and Of such promises for the
purpose Of concealnR the former by assisting
In the execution of tho latter, used my per-
sonal aud official influence to procure for James
i. Anderson official employ ment In the Exec
utive Department Of the Government.
To each of these accusations, whether ex-
pressed or implied. reply by an emphatic de-
nial.
deny that was connected in any way, by
participation or encouragement, by knowledge,
consent, or connivancc with any frauds, real
or pretended, in the Louisiana election.
deny that was party or privy to any prom
ises of protection or reward to any one, In con-
sideration of tho commission by them Of any
frauds, real or pretended, In that election.
i deny that made efforts to procure an off,
eial appointment for Mr.. Anderson. with the
knowledge or belief on my part that he or any
one else had been guilty of any fraud In con-
nection with that election or In fulfllmcnt OF
any promise Of reward that Ind been made to
him on that or on any other consideration
whatever.
On the contrary, I assert upon my honor as
DScnator, which / am prepared to maintain
upon my oath, that do not know and never
have believed that any such frauds were in
fact ever committed.
That | do not know that any promise was
ever made to Acderson or any Que else In con-
BideratiOn Of fraudulent services in connection
with tho Presidential election. Anderson, In
my little intercourse with him, all (which has
taken place since March 4, 1877, never asserted
expressed, or by any innuendo that Mr.. Shcr'
man or amy one else had ever promised him
Office or anything else. either for doing wrong
or right, and never asked anything from me Ol
through me by virtue Of any such promise
On tnc contrary, Anderson expressly and pas
tOnatcy appealed to me on the solo ground
that he had rendered honest, honorable. law.
ful and efficient service to the Republican
cause IN Louisiana at the sacrifice of time aud
money and peril to his life, and that he had
for that cause incurred odum aud hostility
from political opponents.
The only wrong | understand or believe him
TO be guilty of was In having previously uu'
truly pretended that ho had been guilty of the
things ho now again prctcnds to confess. That
wrong had no information of until after hi.
appeal to mo for my aid had been responded
TO by an otlcr of my good will in his behalf
His disclosure Of it, with the delivery Of th,
false documents which constituted 1t, | sup
posed was intended by him and was regarded
by me Us the atonement for and undOing of 1t
Upon that footing only | received them, II
never for q moment occurring to mo that the
possession of them by me could be msconstruet
into an otiense, and believing that the only us'
which their publication could serve would bt
to propagate a mischicvOus and scandalOu'
falsehOOd.
The only error, If there be one, OF which
am conscious is in having recommended to of
fec a person who had mcditated or proposed :
wrong, but had, as II appeared to me, with
drawn from performing it.
But rs there seems to be an attempt to mag
nifty il with one link IN what is alleged to huy,
constituted conspiracy against important
public rights, and as the coloring thus sought
to be given my conduct affects my standing
snd character in this honorable body, / con
slider il II matter of privilege that the Senat,
should inquire into the subject as affecting il
not less than myself.
] have the honor accordingly to submit thu
following resolution:
Rss0lred That Il select committee OF seven Sena
tors be appointed to inquire into aud consider al
things touching the matters stated and referred t.
by the Senator from Ohio tMr Matthew'S an'
the events connected Herewith and particularly
what connection, Il any, That Senator had with un!
real or pretended frauds or other wrong committed
in the conduct and returns Of the election IN tn,
State Of Louisiana In 1876 aud with any promise
of protection or reward, II any. made by any on
10 one james L. Anderson, or others, IN considcra
tun Of, or connection with, any official conduct by
baid Anderson or others In relation 10 snid election
or the returns thereof and into all the circum
stances Of any recommendation by the said Senate
OF the said Anderson for the appointment to oilce
and that the said committee have power to send TO
persons and papers, to employ clerk and steno
grapher, and have leave TO sit during the recess.
The resolution was adopted
On motion Of Mr.. HOWE, the bill relating
to tccgmphic communication between tn,
United States and foreign countries was takel
up and passed.
At the expiration Of the morning hour the
Senate, ut half-past twelve, proceeded to the
consideration Of the Texas Pacific Railroad
bill.
Mr.. JOHNSTON addressed the Senate In
support Of his compromise bill.
Mr.. LAMAR briefly replied to some of the
arguments advanced by Mr. JOHNSTON against
the Texas Pacific Railroad BILL and at the
close of his remarks renewed tho motion t
postpone the consideration of the bill till tn,
next session In December.
bWithout taking q vote on the motion, tn,
Senate resumed the consideration of the post
route bill that part relating to the Brazilian
subsidy being under discussion.
The bill was considered ut great length, an(
during the discussion the tariff came in for in
cdomtal discussion, us we'll as numerous sid
issues.
An amendment proposed by Mr. EATON
limiting the term of the contract to five years
was agreed to.
Also an amendment proposed by Mr.. Cor
DON, that II the New Orleans line was not es
tablighp1 tho Npw Nnrk contract slOuld h.