National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-05-08
FORTY-SIxTH CONGRESS.
The Caucus Military Bill Before the
Senate.
SENITE.

WEDNESDAY, May :, 1879.
Mr.. ANTHONY reported from the Committee on
Naval Affairs the House bill appropriating s200OC
for supplying the torpedo-ship Alarm with new
propeller, and II was passed
On motion of Mr.. INGALLS, IL was resolved that
the President of the United States be requested II
cot incompatible with the public interest to com
municate 70 the Senate what information he has
as to the alleged occupation of portion OF lthe In
dian Territory by white men, and what action has
been taken to prevent the same
On motion of Mr. EATON, the House bill to pre-
vent military interference In elections was taken
up for second reading, II having been read the
first time yesterday. The bill was then read sec.
ond time.
On motion of Mr. EATON, the bill was then. with.
out division of the Senate laid upon the table, to
be called up hereafter
pThc Senate resumed the consideration of the res.
olution reported from the Committee on Privileges
and Elections asking for authority 10 take testi-
mony in the case of Mr.. Spofiord, who contested
the seat of Senator Kellogg
d, MIR. CARPENTER resumed his remarks from YES
terday arguing that Mr.. Kcloggs title to his seat
stronger than thatof any other Senator. Senators
ake their seats on GRIND JGcie evidence, or on GER
ufcates of State officers, without investigator or
inquiry; but IN Mr. Kelogg's bis f!siit to tho
seat was settled after full cSsi;uutIon OF all the
,acts attending his elec.:oH When case is settled
by court, the decision should stand as uuds.
puted. t..efu was no distinction In this principle
Eel II was applied to the determination OF the
right Of Senator to his seat.
Mr.. MORGAN and Mr. SALISBURY defended the
resolution.
Mr.. EDNuNDs offered an amendment to the pend
Ing resolution authorizing the committee to take
testimony only so far as relates to any charge of
personal misconduct on the part of said Kellogg
that may render him liable TO expulsion or censure.
lie wished to conne the investigation TO this point.
because the question of Mr. Kellogg's right to the
scat had already been determined on its merits.
Ills doco lie dS moi OF de Se ,s 10
ne Legislature Of Vermont did not elect 'hiISa
hlr. Edmunds) ana the next day saying that It did
He was today Senator and tomorrow not a SEN
tor, according to The caprice of the Senate. This
body had the power to do this. because II could do
as 1t liked. But 1t would be monstrous and fla
grant violation of duty to exercise power in that
way. SO II was here. Tho resolution declaring Mr..
Kellogg entitled to the seat might have been recon-
sidered on the motion of a Senator who voted in
the majority and then rejected, but the rules re.
CURED that such action must be taken within n
fixed time and any body of men who violated the
fundamental theory of having the decisions of this
body reversed and changed otherwise than by fixed
and prudent lazy were taking step most danger
Gus to justice, liberty, and good government
Mr.. KEENAN, said that as member of the com.
mitee, he voted for the resolution TO be introduced
Into the Senate and In doing so he did not commit
himself to any line of action on the testimony TO be
procured.
The question having been taken on Mr.. Ed.
munds amendment, twas rcjccted-yeas, 20; nays
Mr.. CoNKLING offered an amendment to the pend.
ing resolution providing that the inquiry shall be
confined to the matters alleged in the memorial OF
Mr. Spohord to be new and different from those
covered by the previous inquiry
an imputation that the committee would transcend
their duties, and he protested against it.
MIR. CoNKLING said, IN the course of his reply
that, so far from unkindness, his regard for the
committee was such that he would not see the com.
mitee Overworkcd in exploring the ground which
had already been covered by 10000 octave pages OF
testimony.
The amendment Of Mr. Conklng was disagreed
to-yeas, 20; nays, q.
ton, as follows: And the said committee are fur
ther instructed to inquire and report whether
bribery or other corrupt or unlawful means were
used TO secure the alleged election OF Mr. sponord
the memorlalist."
Mr.. SALISBURY said he was instructed by the
committee to accept the amendment.
Mr. EDMUSDs offered an amendment recognizing
the validity and fnaity of the decision which Sc
cured !, Mr. Kellogg his seat This was disagreed to-
Mr.. LOGAN offered all amendment empowering
and directing the committee further to make in
were used TO dlsorganize the legislative body that
elected Mr. Kellogg, so that II might elect Mr. Spot
ford, the memorialist
Mr.. CoNKLING briefly supported the amendment
Mr.. VOORHEES, asked him whether the inquiry
might not reach the President.
MIR. CoNKLING replied that in discussing ques
ton OF this Importance they were not TO consider
what individuals or persons might be affected, and
expressed his surprise that the Senator from In
diana should be opposed TO the amendment.
Mr.. VOORHEES, said he was satisfied the Commit
tee on Privileges ana Elections would do justice
without me cesrciye measures proposed by the
amendment. The committee did not desire dica.
ton from the opposite side.
Mr. LOGAN, IN advocating his amendment said
that in as much as the Democratic caucus had
overlooked the matter, and had no design to covel
up fraud, he thought there might be a complete
examination, in order to see whether bribery OIL
corruption had been used by the Democrats Il
break up the Legislature that elected Mr.. Kellogg
III order to organize one 10 elect Mr. Spoiord, the
memOrialis
Mr.. BLAINE asked the Democrats why they did
not look at the other side of the question. Why
did they shirk? ss.-s-
Mr. EATON said they would not shirk, but would
amendment
Mr. vooRnErs said Mr.. Blaine had many Sc,
phrases implying cowardice and feeing away. Lei
Democratic side We're Sinking. The Senator
should apply his plantation manners in the dark
part OF Maine; The Senator, too, made use OF
terms which implied nieriority and want oil
courage and manliness on the part of Others while
implying superiority for himself With per
he would appeal TO the Senator to dismiss
those set phrases from his vocabulary The Sena-
tor with his hish dashng spirit, arraigned the
would not support the amendment of the Senator
from Illinois (Mr. Logan while they had, by ngree
ing TO the amendment of the Senator from Massa.
chusetts (Mr. iioarl covered the entire ground OF
That branch OF inquiry. Would the Senator show
Mr., BLAINE read Mr.. Logan's amendment to show
that 1t and Mr.; iloars amendment were dissimiar
ne former . making inquiry about the diSiniesra
ton OF the Legislature that elected Mr.. Kellogg,
Mr., VOORHEES, insisted that the amendment oil
Mr.. Hoar covered all that was contemplated by thai
OF Mr. Logan, and charged the conduct of Mr.. Blaine
Mr. BLAINE expressed his surprise that the sena.
tor should apply to him that term after delivering
to him lecture on the use of words in his usual
mild and placid manner. He would suy however
Qtat the word "shrk, according TO the New England
lcNiCOgraphefs, meant 10 depart from" He did
not know whether the application OF the word
"pettiiogging" showed respect for a man.
Mr. VOORHEES, said he was incapable Of meaning
aPersonal oiense. by ''petiogging' was meant
question, while "shirking' means TO run away and
skulk like towards.
Mr.. BLAINE said he meant to use the work 'shirk'
In the plain Anglo.SaxOn,
MIR. LOGAN denied, IN reply to a remark by Mr.
salisbury. that by Offering his amendment he had
expressed want OF confidence in the committee
Mr.. Hill. lGa.) said the committee would faith.
iully investigate everything that came within the
scope OF the authority which might be conferred
Oh them but they would not investigate the part
inc President took In the affairs of louisiana unless
1t were particularly desired.
MI JONAS made statement In relation TO the
pO!lcS OF mat state and asserted that Mr. SpOllOrd
was elected by legally constituted Legislature
MI. KELLOGG replied TO portion of The remarks
OF ms colleague, saying ill., conclusion that he de.
fed his enemies when he was Governor OF Louis.
isiana, ana he deiied them since, and deiled them
now. ~
Mr., MORGAN asked whether the Senator wos will
ing mat the committee should inyestiVnte thp
charge made against him by MIR SnofI6rd ~
MIR. EDMUEDs raised the point of order that mol,
inquiry was disrespcctiul 10 the Senator from lou
isHnu. "
Mr., MoRGAS said he meant no ofIense TO the Son.
ator; but the Senator from Vermont was now trv
ing to shield the Senator from Louisiana from an
mputalion of guilt, N
Mr. EDMUHDs disclaimed that ho was trying ia
Bhiplu the Senator Innisiaua M ,ytIi,