The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-03-23
FoRTY-sIxTH CONGRESS
The spOfford-K Kellogg Contest.
The Minority and Malority Reports of the
Committee on Privileges and Elections
Senator Kellogg Ably Defends
His Own Cause.
WASHINGTON, March q.
SENATE.

Mr. dlll, OF georgia, from the CoulmlL
tes on Privileges and Elections reported
the following resolutions:
ReOlred, That according to the evidence
now known TO the Senate, William P
Kellogg was not chosen by the Legislature
OF Louisiana to q seat in the Senate for the
term beginning March 4th, 1877, and Il
not entitled TO a seat in the same.
Resolred, That Henry N. spotord was
chosen by the Legislature Of Louisiana tc
a seat in the Senate for the term beginning
March 4th, 1877, and that he be admitted
TO the same on taking the oath prescribed
by law.
Mr.. Hill also submitted report in sup
port OF the resolutions, which he asked tc
have printed.
Mr.. Hoar stated that he was instructed
by minority OF the Committee to submit
their views, and as they were short he
asked leave TO read them.
Mr.. Hill had no objection, provided he
was allowed to read the majority report.
Mr.. Hoar read as follows: The under
signed minority OF the Committee on
Privileges and Elections, to whom was re-
ferred the memorial OF q. NJ. Spoford,
claiming the seat now occupied by VIM.
P. Kellogg, submit the following as their
views: On the S0th day OF November,
1877, the Senate passed the following reso-
lutions:
Resolrsd, That VIM. P. Kellogg is, upon
the merits Of the case, entitled to seat
in the q. S. Senate OF the United States,
from the State Of Louisiana, for the term
OF six years. commencinglon he.tourth Of
March, 1877, and that he be admitted
thereto on taking the proper oath.
Resolred, That Henry NJ. Spotford is not
entitled to seat in the Senate in the Uni
ted States.
The party majority in the Senate has
changed since Kellogg took the oath Of
Office. In pursuance Of the above resolu-
ton nothing else has changed the facts
which the Senate considered and determ.
ined were in existence then as now.' 1t Is
sought by mere superiority ofnumbers for
the first time to thrust the Senator from
the seat which he holds by virtue OF the
express and deliberate final judgment OF
the Senate. The act which is demanded
OF this party majority would be in
our judgment q great public crime.
1t will be, If consummated. one OF great
political crimes in American history to be
classed with the rebellion, with the at
tempt to take possession by fraud OF the
State Government OF Maine and with the
overthrow OF the State Governments in
the South, of which it is fitting sequence.
Political parties have too often been led
by partizan zeal into measures which sober
judgment might disapprove, but they have
ever respected the Constitution; OF the
Senate, men whose professions of returning
loyalty TO the Constitution have been
trusted by Governors, the confidence OF
the American people are now to give evi-
dence Of the sincerity OF their vows. The
people will thoroughly understand this
matter and will not likely TO be deceived
again.
We do not think 1t proper to enter here
upon discussion OF the evidence by
which the claimant OF Kelloggs seat seeks
to establish the charges affecting the integ-
rity OF that Senator. Such evidence can
be found in abundance in the slums Of
great cities. It Is notfit to be trusted in
cases affecting the smallest amount OF
property, much less the honor OF an emil
nent citizen or. title to an object OF so
much desire as q seat in the Senate. This
evidence is not only unworthy Of respect
or credit, but 1t is in many instances Who'll
ly irreconcilable with undisputed facts,
and Kellogg has met and overthrown 1t
at every point,
[Signed. GEORGE F. HoAR,
ANGUS CAMERON,
JOHN A. LOGAN.
Mr.. Hill then said as the Senator from
Massachusetts, had insisted on reading the
minority report he (Hill) thoughtit due to
the country that he should read the ma
jority report for there was nothing more
desired by the majority than full publicity
and the diffusion OF the facts in the case.
He then stepped down into the area be-
fore the presiding officers desk, and facing
the Senate, proceeded to read the report.
The report says: In the opinion OF your
Committee the evidence now for the first
time fully taken, clearly and abundantly
establishes the following facts:
First-That said VIM. P. Kellogg, then
holding the Office Of Governor OF Louisi-
ana, and pending the canvass in said elec-
ton OF 1876, did conspire with divers per-
sons, and in aid OF such conspiracy did
fraudulently use his influence and the
power OF his Office as Governor, to prevent
. fair and free and legal election In said
State, and that he might procure from the
commissioners OF election returns OF the
Legislature q majority who should be OF
the Republican party and presumed to be
favorable TO his election to the Senate.
Seeond-That having failed in this, said
William P. Kellogg, then holding the
office OF Governor, did consptre, with
divers persons and in aid Of such con-
spiracy did frauduently use the influence
and power OF his office as Governor to
change the result as returned by the COM
misioners OF elections, to the end that he
. might procure through false certificates OF
election and the organization OF preten-
ded legislature, majority OF whose mem
bers should be Of the Republican party
and supposed to be favorable to his elec-
ton to the Senate.
Third-That said Kellogg did conspire
4 with divers others to prevent by force. and
through the Metropolitan police, aided by
the army Of the United States, did prevent
J the lawfully elected members OF the Leg.
islature, and especially those OF the Dem
ocratic party, from assembling in the halls
OF the Senate and House OF Representa-.
/ tives in the State OF Louisiana, and did by
} threats, by use OF money, by promises oi
office, and by other corrupt practices,
, compel and induce to assemble in said
halls, respectively. mob Of his conspira'
= tors against the will OF the people OF Lou.
isiana, many Of whom had not been elect
: ed and some OF whom had been neither
elected nor certified, to the end that be
might procure pretended Legislature fol
he Inauguration Of S. B. Packard as Gov
: ernor, y6o he we'll knew had not beer
!. elected, and from which mob he NIGH
procure the form OF his own election t
: the Senate, and which pretended election
J. he knew the said pretended Governor
|. would certify.
, excluded persons elected and ADMITTED
those not elected to the said Legislature
Q for the corrupt purpose named.
: The fifth section charges that kellogg
q knoving these facts withheld them from