New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-03-23
TUE KELLOGG. sPOFFORD CASE.

THE KELLOGG -SPOFFORD CASE.
THE REPORTS AND RESOLUTIONS IN TIE SENATE
SENATOR noAR's VIGOROUS DENUNciATloN OF
THE oUTRAGE-MR. KEILOGG's ATTACK ON MR.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.i
WASHINGTON March 22.-lf the Democrats Vi
the Senate have not to-day begun movement
which is destined to make the election OF hepuo-
lcan President next Fall much easier than IL other
wise would be, then it must be confessed that the
sigps which have heretofore preceded the monu-
mental Democratic blunders in Congress VIII nave
failed.
The introduction of the Kelogg-Spofford resolu-
t;ons and reports from the Committee on Privi-
leces and Elections was evidently surprise, al
though they were expected before many days. when
Senator Hill arose early i'll the morning hour
10 present them, q number of Senators on both
sides were absent, while the galleries
contained not over fifty casual sightseers
Before the debate had proceeded far
however the fact that it was In progress
had served to fill the galleries to their utmost ca
pacity Shle tie sofas upon the floor OF the senate
were well filled with members of the House OF he
presentatives aud others, having the night TO he
there.
The temper of the debate was strong
Yeminder of some of the moro exciting
hours of the extra session. Throughout lts
continuance a great desire was manifested by
Senator Hr and by several other Democratic
Senators TO bring 1t to summary end. But this
they were unable 10 accomplish.
Perhaps the most significant single event OF the
dov was vote which took place upon
n motion made by Senator Thurman to lay
inside the report and resolution offered
by Senator Hill, and proceeded to consider the
Geneva Award bill This had no other object
than to put an end at present, to a
discussion in which the Democrats
were winning no aurels. The motion was lost by
vote of so to 49, some half dozen Democratic SEN
ators voting against the motion.
As the reading of the report, which was couched
in the most offensive terms, had preceded
the vote, it is but justice to assume
that any of the Democratic Senators were
glad to manifest their disapprobaion of the unfair
course suggested by the motion of Senator Thur
Senator Hills wish was to have the report pre-
eented and sent to the Government Printer without
being read, but Senator Hoar insisted
upon reading the minority report then and there.
The reading of the majority report followed. as
political necessity. Senator Hoar himself read his
report which was very short and most emphatically
TO the point. This report was signed by the
three Republican members of the Committee on
Privileges and Elections. Senator Hill then took his
and with his back to the President read his own
rsport consuming more than an hour in the opera
tiOn
The majority of the report has been,
10 some extent anticipated. 1t assumes
to contain an analysis of the testimony
taken before the committee. but all
who are familiar with that testimony
recognized that portion of the report was skill
full exaggeraton of some portions of the testimony
Iyell. nsi,o af
ali that was offered in rebutal together with many
bold assertions that the record contains things
which it does not contain. The majority report
referc to Senator Kellogg criminal, ana TO his
witnesses as the accomplices OF cIlm-
ipal and therefore unworthy OF belief.
By innuenlo il accuses President Hayes OF having
sought to aid Senator Kellogg i'll defeating the in
yestgatlon, 10y placing at his disposal the FEDERAL
Offices in Louisiana.
The report is entirely the work of Senator Hill.
and the n,alevolence which has characterized his
action in connection with the entire investigation
is hardly concealed in the language of the report 1t
is not signed by the members Of the majority. but
since the whole prosecution has been throughout
left in Senator Hills hands, there is no doubt II will
he accented if il has not already been, by the MEM
bers of the majority.
When the reading was concluded Senator Hoar
asked that any Senators. upon whose minds
file eXtraOrulDaTV uOCuultub NIlCu Hdu
been read had made any impression,
.bould rive him their attention. while he briefly
endeavored TO show how little could be gath
cred from that report, of the real ma
,ure of the evidence For convenience,
He took the first and last points of the evidence
covered by the Senator from Georgia III bis report.
The first had reference to an alleged consplr-
acy between Governor Kellogg aud the Register or
Judge of certain parish to throw out the vote
The latter had made statement, which both knew
10 be false that thero vas "bulldOzing" going
on whereas the report asserts that 1t was a
pelceabe aud orderly election. Mr.. Hoar then re-
lated cne occurrence. as described by the very
witness upon whose testimony the re-
mort was based He had sworn that he
refused TO register voter, and was waited
upon by the Democratic committee of the par
isb and informed that he must register the voter,
forcing him TO do so in spite OF his refusal.
'What parish was itW asked Senator hoar
"Why. Grant Parish, in which within two years
had taken place the notorious Colfax massacre the
parish in which had lain for days uDburred in the
sun the bodies of thirty-seven Republicans each
shot TO death in the back OF the head
The second point referred to by Senator Hoar was
The nse of the testimony given by the witness
Barney Williams, in New-Orleans TO the
effect that be had been employed by
Kellogg in Washington TO conduct the Spofford
witnesses to Keloggs room at midnight, where
they remained until near morning, drinking wine
and carousiDg and which occasion Sem
ator Kellogg was alleged 10 have paid them
$500 each for testimony in his own favor. This
witness was shown to be notoriousy unworthy Of
belief that Spohords counsel ignored his test-
inony entirely 1t was moreover shown by
q dozen reputable people in Washington to be en-
tirely false. Senator Il however, seems 10 have
taken in the whole story, and based upon 1t one OF
the strong points OF his report.