Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1880-03-31

TO be trusted in cases affecting the
smallest amount of property, much
less the honor of an eminent citizen OF
the title to an object of so much desire
as seat in the Senate. This evidence
is not only unworthy OF respect oi
credit, but as in many instances wholly
irreconciable with undisputed facts,
and Mr. Kellogg has met and over
thrown it at every point.
GEORGE +. HoAR,
ANGUS CAMERON,
JOHN A. LOGAN,
Mr.. HILL, of Georgia--As the Sen,
ator from Massachusetts has persisted
in reading the report of the minority,
| think it but due to the country that
| shall also read the report of the ma
jority, so that the two report may 20
into the Record together, because there
is nothing the majority 50 much desire
as a thorough comprehension of this
whole case by the people of the United
States, and that, indeed, is all we ask.
| will, therefore, proceed to read as a
part of my remarks the report Of the
committee.
1t is as follows.
The Committee on Privileges and
Elections, to which was referred the
memorial of Henry NJ. Spohord, claim.
ing to be entitled to the seat in the
Senate from the State OF Louisiana
now occupied by William p. Kellogg,
ask leave to submit the following re-
port
On the 7th day of November, 1876,
and election was held in the State Of
Louisiana for Governor and members
of the Legislature. In March, 1877,
William p. Kellogg presented creden.
tials signed by Stephen B. Packard,
claiming to be Governor, and certify
ing that said Kellogg had been duly
elected to the seat in the Senate for the
term beginning on the 4th OF march,
1917, by the legislature chosen at said
election. In October 1877, Henry M.
Spofford presented credentials signed
by Francis II. Nichols, claiming to be
Governor, and certifying that said
Spofford had been duly elected to the
same seat by the legislature CHOSEN aJ
said election. These several creden-
tials were referred by the Senate to
the Committee on Privileges and Flee
tions. On the Goth of November, 1877,
majority of the committee reported
that the committee had investigated
the issue, and that Kellogg on the
merits was entitled to the seat. A
minority of the committee reported
that the committee had not fully in.
vestigated the issue, but had refused to
do 80, and ask that the credentials of
both contestants be recommitted with
instructions TO complete the investiga.
ton. The Senate refused TO recommit,
adopted the majority report, and Kel-
logg was admitted TO the seat on the
2Sth day of November, 1877.
On the 2lst day Of March, 1879,
Henry NJ. Spofford presented his me.
mortal to the Senate, complaining that
he was denied the privilege of produc.
ing important testimony on the former
hearing, alleging that much evidence
of bribery and corruption by said Kel-
logg in procuring his pretended cleo
ton had been since discovered, and
asking that the case abe re.examined,
to the end that justice may be done"
This memorial was referred to this
committee and the eSenate, subsequently
to that reference, ordered and author.
lied the committee TO take testimony
by the whole or by subcommittee with
full power to send for persons and pa
pers, and to do all things necessary
and usual in such cases.
The committee have faithfully exc
cnted this order OF the Senate.
The memoralist and the sitting mem.
Der appeared before the committee in
person and by counsel. On the 9th OF
June, 1879, the full committee com.
menced the examination of witnesses
in this city, The examination was
continued in November and December
by subcommittee in the city of New
Orleans. and was again resumed by the
full committee in this city, and was
continued until both parties announced
they hac no further testimony TO offer
Nearly 1850 witnesses have been exam,
med, and over / 200 printed pages Of
testimony have been taken and are
herewith reported to the Senate, with
the conclusions of law and fact A,
which the committee have arrived.
In the opinion OF your committee
the evidence now for the first time
fully taken, clearly and abundantly
establishes the following facts
|. That said William Pitt Kellogg
then holding the Office of Governor ol
the State OF Louisiana and pending the
. canvass in said election of 1876, did
conspiro with divers persons, and in
aid Of such conspiracy did fraudulently
use the influence and power Of his
office of Governor to preven, fair,
free and legal election in said State, tc
the end that he might procure from
the commissioners of election the re.
turn of legislature a majority Of
whose members should be Of the Re
publican party, and presumed to be
favorable TO his election TO the Senate
II That having ,a,,ed in ,h;s ,bs
said William PIT X sllogo s,ill hold;no
the Office Of Governor did conspire