Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-03-22
FORTYSIHTH CONGRESS.
MONDAY, March 90.

War, transmitting in response to Senate reso-
luton statement of amounts drawn from TIE
Treasury on account of Improvement OF the
Tennessee river. Referred.
Also, transmitting letter from the chfef or
engineers, suggesting certain amounts to the
bill to confirm the survey Of the Pueblo of San
ancisco, together with copy of telegram from
of the Pacific giving reasons why the passage
OF said bill would seriously affect the public In
tereSts Referred.
ter makers OF Illinois, praying legislation to pro-
tect the public against the sale OF oleomargarine
as butter. Referred.
MIR. Hoar presented memorial of the Massa-
chusetts legislature, protesting against repeal
of laws conferring jurisdiction on U. s. courts
in controversies between citizens of different
states and over municipal corporations. Re
feIred.
MIR. Allison presented petition of merchants
and manufactures of Davenport, for passage of
a bankrupt law. Referred.
Several petitions were presented and referred
asking for removal of duty on materials used
Mr. Davis Gli.), from the committee on the
judiciary, reported adversely on Senate bill to
tain cases. Indefinitely postponed.
Mr.. Mcdonald, from the same committee, re-
ported favorably on the bill to authorize the
states of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, respective
ly, to commence ana prosecute Suits against
the United States in the Supreme Court OF the
United States; placed on the calendar Also,
nois to commence and prosecute such suits; in
definitely postponed.
THE KELLOGG CASE.
Mr. Hill Gay, from the committee on privi-
on the Kellogg -spofford contested election case,
declaring SpoffoTd entitled TO the seat in the
Senate now occupied by Kellogg.
Mr.. Hoar, from the same committee, present,
ed a minority report, signed by himself and
Mcssrs. Cameron (Wis.) and Logan. Mr.. Hoar
read his report, as follows:
THE MINORITY REPORT.
The undersigned minority OF the commit
tee OF privileges and elections, to whom was
referred the memorial of Henry NJ. Spol1ord,
claiming the seat now occupied by William Pitt
Kellogg. submit the following as their vlews:-
On the 30th day Of November, 1871, the Senate
passed the following resolutions:-'R Resolved,
That William Pitt Kellogg is, upon the merits
of the case, entitled to seat In the Senate OF
the United States from the state OF Louisiana
for the term OF six years commencing on the
18th of March, 1877. and that he be admitted
thereto on taking the proper oath; resolved
That Henry NJ. spofford is not entitled to seat
in the Senate of the United States.'
The party majority in the Senate has changed
since Mr.. Kellogg took the oath of office in pur-
suance Of the above resolution. Nothing else
has changed. The facts which the Senate con-
sidered and determined were in existence then
as now. 1t is sought by mere superiority OF
numbers for the first time to thrust Senator
from the seat which he holds by virtue OF the
Senate. The act which is demanded Of this
party majority would be, IN Our Judgment,
great public crime. It will be, If consummated,
one of the great political crimes in American
history, to be classed with the rebellion. with
the attempt to take possession by fraud of the
state go, ernment OF Maine, and with the over
throw OF state governments in the south, Of
which it is the fitting sequence:
Political parties have too often been led by
partisan zeal into measures which SOBER Judg-
ment might disapprove. But they have ever
respected the constitution OF the senate. Tne
-1,Nc-a fnpC
the constitution have been trusted Dy the gen.
erous confidence of the American people are
now to give evidence OF the sincerity or their
VOWS The people W nt nc SaH he
again. We do not think proper to enter here
upon a discussion of the evidence by which the
claimant Of NE kelloggs seat seeks 5, 70 esSa0- Sa
ator. Such evidence can be found in abundance
in the slums of great cities, 1t is not fit to be
trusted in cases affecting the smallest amount
citizen, or the title to an object Of so much de-
sire as a seat in the Senate. This evidence is
not only unworthy of respect or credit, but it is
in many Instances wholly irreconcilable with
overthrown it at every point. (Signed) George
F. Hoar. Angus Cameron and John A. Logan.
Mr.. Hill then said that as the Senator from
Massachusetts, had insisted on reading the NIL
nority report, he {Mr. HilD thought it due to the
country that he should read the majority re-
port, for there was nothing more desired by the
facts in the case: he then stepped down into
the area before the presiding officer, and facing
the Senate, proceeded to read the report, which
is very long and occupied an hour and half in
reading.
THE MAJORITY REPORT
says: In the opinion of your committee the
evidence, now for the first time fully taken.
clearly and abundantly establishes the follow
I. That said VIM. P. Kellogg, then holding
the Office of governor of Louisiana, and pending
the canvass IN said election OF 1876 did conspire
with divers persons, and in aid Of such conspir-
acy did fraudulently use the influence and
power of hts office as governor to prevent fair,
free and legal election In said state, to the end
election the return of legislature, a majority
OF whose members should be of the republican
party, and presumed to be favorable to his cleo
2. That, having failed in this, the said VIM.
Pitt Kellogg, then holding the office of gov
ernor, did cOnSpire with divers persons, and in
aid of such conspiracy did fraudulently use the
influence and power OF his office as governor to
change the result as returned by the commits.
stoners OF election, to the end that he might
procure, through false certificates Of election,
majority OF whose members should be of the
to his election to the Senate.
8. That said Kellogg did conspire with divers
Metropolitan police, aided by the army Of the U.
S., did prevent, the lawfully elected members
OF the legislature, and especially those of the
democratic party from assembling In the hall OF
the Senate and House Of Representatives in the
State House of Louisiana, and did by threats;
by the use OF money, by the promise OF Office,
and by other corrupt practices, compel
respectively, mob of his co-conspirators
against the will Of the people Of Louisiana,
many of whom had not been elected, and some
of whom had been neither elected nor certified.
to the end that he might procure a pretended
legislature for the Inauguration of s. B. Pack
ard as governor, whom he well knew had not
been elected and from which mob he might pro-
cure the form of his own election to the Senate,
and which pretended election he knew said pre-
tended governor would certify.
HOUSE.-Under the call of states the follow
ing bills, &C., were introduced and referred:
By Mr.. Berry-Restoring to the public domain
the lands included in the Fort Reading and
By MI. Phelps-Providlng for the free passage
OF Irish emigrants on the return voyage of the
ship constellation" now about to start to
Ireland with provisions for the suffering peas
antry of that Island. Also, for the appintment
OF commission to revise the laws relating to
custom laws and internal revenue In the United
States.
lit provides for the appointment of COM
mission OF nine member5-three to be ap-
pointed by the President. three by the Vice
President. and three by the Speaker Of the
HouSe-whose duty it shall be to prepare COM
plete review of all the laws relating to the
duties on imported merchandise and the inter-
nal revenue OF the Omitted States. Said com.
mission shall be selected with regard to the
different interests to be affected by their pro-
ceedfnps and shall make their ren0rt IN fhe