The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1880-05-05
The Case of kellogg.

The interest which Is felt In the de
cision of the contest of Kellogg and
Spoford for the seat in the Senate now
usurped by the latter, is sufficient rea
son for the space we have devoted to the
speech Of Senator Bailey, of Tennessee,
on that subject. All the States are di-
rectIy concerned in the result 1t in
wolves the question, whether State
shall be represented by person Of her
own choice, or by some other person
who Is alien to her people, and whose
claim Is based upon his election by a
body having no legal existence at the
time and which vanished into nothing
ness as soon as the farce was performed.
1t is understood that the Republicans in
the Senate are supporting the preten-
sions Of Kellogg from purely partizan
considerations. The few Democrats
who have manifested a disposition to
unite with them on this question do no
pretend that Kellogg's claim to a seat is
legal, or that the body which elected
him had real existence, or that he Is
in the sense of the Constitution, bona
fde representative Of the State Of Louis
lana but they are baked upon the plea
Of res adj,tdicuta-that the case has been
settled. Senator Bailey efecuallv dis
poses Of this plea. Pending the discus
sion, Senator Butler of South Carolina
IT'D H. ,F+2 l., l,,.,-11F l., /
been duly admitted, his case was re-
opened and referred to Il Committee,
upon the assumption that the Senate
had not parted with its jurisdiction.
Divested OF specious argument, the
bottom fact remains that the Constitu-
ton Of the United States declares that
the Senate shall be composed of two
Senators from each State chosen by the
Legislature thereof That Kellogg was
not chosen by the Legislature of Louis
lana. That the body which pretended
to elect him never had legal existence,
and was not recognized by the Admins
tration OF President Grant, nor Of Presi-
+ ''tllN ia ~ iiett lie lietlN NtI
signed by Packard, who was not Gov
ernor, and who so far from exercising
its functions, abandoned his pretensions
to the office, and is now filling a foreign
appointment under the Federal Admin
istration. That Spottord was elected
by Legislature whose legality was re
cognized by the Republican Admins
tration, and signed by Gov. Nichols,
who filled out his term without having
his right to the office even called in
question. That Louisiana has twice for
maIly complained to the Senate that she
is deprived of her rightful representa-
tives in that body, and asked that the
person she has chosen be admitted to
his seat in place of the usurper who has
not even the shadow Of a shade Of claim
to it. To confirm Kellogg is to deny
these truths and to discredit the exist
ing government of Louisiana We can
well understand the motives which
would prompt Conkling, Blaine ct III onl-
+
they hold that none of the Southern
governments are rightful but we can
not understand the motives that can
prompt Democratic Senator's, and espe-
cially Senators from the Southern States, /
to become their coadjutors. In the con-
clusion of his mastery speech on the /
question, Senator Jonas Of Louisiana,
presented the argument and the appeal /
for Louisiana, in these striking passages
In-thesc latter days, Mr. President, other
men have misreprese nted the States of the
South on this floor. Men who were not elect
ed by Legislatures nor accredited by govern
ment7 chosen BY the free voice Of the people
But they at least Tepres anted force aud power
The Legislatures which sent them here elect
ed they were by Acknowledgement and
supported by the Federal Army. had authori-
" within the States, and passed laws which
we were compelled 10 obey. They represent /
Ell the State sovereignty, even if wrested bv
force or fraud from the people and for the
Time being, there was no conflicting auth ority.
But this is the trst case, Mr.. President, in
which Senator has been seated, chosen by no
Legs ature. accredited by no governor and
representing no government which Is known
or recognized by any people or authority In
the land.
Mr. President in conclusion | desire to saw
that for three years the State of Louisiana has
been misrepresented this floor by William
Pitt Kellogg; that for seven years she has
suffered from his usurpation, misgovernment
aud Misrepresentation; that during most OF
that time his official tenure has been protected
by :he Republican party, aud supported by
the military power of the Governments; that
all of the wrong, IL Of the trouble all of the
bitterness, which has been visited upon my
people during that time, can be laid at his door
and to his responsibility. ali of the calumny
and misrepresentation Whibh has been poured
upon Louisiana and her people have been has
work, and for The purpose OF perpetuating his
power.
These charges may fall upon ears, deafened
by partizan zeal, the other side of thi.
Chamber. hut ask the representatives of the
Democratic party, who compose the majority
here, who know the truth whereof | speak, 10
do justice 10 Louisiana, and to seat in this
body the honorable and distinguished gentle
man who has been chosen IN legal and con- ,
manner to represent her here.
THE subcommittee Of the Ways and
Means Tariff Committee Of the lower t
house of Congress have agreed upon a
bill providing that blankets, fannels and {
other wooden goods now having from IS t