Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-05-05
THE SPOFFORD-KELLOGG CASE.
Remarks of Senator Blaine i'm OpDO.
sitiOn to Seating SpOffOrd.

Remarks of Senator Blaine i'm OppO-
sltlOm to Seating SpOffOrd.
The senate had q long discussion, Mon
day, on the resolution declaring Spofford
entitled to the seat now held by Kellogg.
Senator Blaine was the principal speaker
III opposition to the resolution, and he
said: The present resolution seems likely
to go into the political history of the
country and as one of most astounding
propositions ever submitted for the con-
sideration of this body-astounding in
violating all precedents and principles of
the organization of the body from Ghe
first senate that assembled under George
Washington's presidency; chat underlies
it; astounding from the fearful, and [
was almost about to say shameless asser-
ton of sectional government in this
country. All hear the Republican party
accused of sectional legislation, but
there were sixteen states either in rebel
lion or in greater or less degree
supposed to have sympathized with
the rebellion. They have to-
day on this floor thirty senators
out of a possible thirty-two. For the
thirty-frst my honorable friend from
Mississippi (Bruce), Democratic sue
cessor closely identified with the rebel
lion has been chosen. For the thirty
second, the honorable senator from
Louisiana, successor has likewise been
chosen. 1t is but a fraction and remnant
of single term of the thirty terms of
senatorship to which the states in rebel
lion or sympathizing with the rebellion
are entitled, IN regard to which the in
tolerance Of those seeking to sway the
destln1es Of the government is so great
that they cannot permit an honorable
understanding made on the floor of the
senate to be carried out. Such is the de-
mand of the power that Yields the po-
litical destinies of this body to-day and
seeks in the interest of the same
political, sectional power to WELD the
destinies of the republic. When I say
an honorable agreement | do not state it
OF my own authority. do not state it
on Republican authority. I state it on
the authority of leading Democratic
papers at the south, and there is not a
senator within hearing of my voice who
does not know that the honorable sena-
tor from South Carolina (Butler) could
not have been seated in the chair he now
occupies except at the same time the
honorable senator from Louisiana (Kel-
lOgg) had been seated in the chair he
now occupies. The honorable senator
from South Carolina was seated only on
a 22Tda,aa .facie claim to the seat. Where
as the resolution seating the senator from
Louisiana was upon the special declar-
alton that he was entitled to the seat on
the merits of the case. There is not the
first symptom of q sign of further investi-
cation into the claim of the honorable
senator from South Carolina. IdonOt hear
suggestion that the 2orinaa .facie case,
pronounced so in the resolution that
seated him, is even to have the dignity
of an investigation. But senator, the
offensive senator, the last possible flag of
Republicanism over sixteen states, he,
although seated on his merits, with a
successor elected with fraction only of
his term left, shall not be allowed to
serve out his term. [ hope the country
will understand it. I hope the country
will take note of theintolerant spirit that
directs it. hope the country will OBJ
serve that of all the transactions, from
the foundation of the government to the
present hour, that have pertained to seat
ing or unseating of senators in this body,
this is the most extraordinary and most
indefensih1e