The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-08-10
,xstr,k,ns nepabEican senatorisi
preeedent.
fxew Yort sun.J

New York sum-
Two years after the close OF the c'ViI wps
.x.c,overnor Pbillp r. Thomas was elected
Ifnced states senator from Maryland,
from the 4tb OF March, 1867. On the l6ln
of March Mr.. Rpyerdy johnson presented
the credentials OF bis colleague, and moved
that be be permitted to take the oath OF
Office.
aMr. Howard. of Michigan: I have no
obiection TO the reading Of these creden-
tIais. but / desire to make motion that
they be referred 10 the Committee on Inc
judiciary.
mMr. Johnson: should like to Know
fine reason which iGfuences the honorable
member 10 deplrt In this case from Whst
has been from The first the almost unNeIsai
usage OF the Senate to receive the senator
elect upon his credentials. nope
10 he excused for awaiting myself OF tDis
occasion to say that, in point OF LOYALTY 10
The Government now, the honorable mem
Der who has been chosen by the Le2isIa-
ture OF Maryland to represent her IN TINS
body is lust as sound as | am, or as any
member Of this body.
/" Mr. Howard: II is matter OF COM
mon rumOr hat the gentleman VINO IS no"
tho anDlicant svmpathized warmly with the
ftDpIs uUIlUH lut bieil OhN ''N'N-
which has reached my ear Is that he per-
formed an act tending to give aid and com.
fort to the rebels during The existence OF
the rebellion. OF course | shall not vOuch
for the truth OF these rumors. Az
ali events, whatever may be the truth, l
submit that IT is entirely lifting and proper
that this matter should be investigated by
the committee. both IN reference 10 the Sen
ate. OF which be proposes to become MEM
Der. and especially in reference TO himself.
Surely, | think, il | labOred under such
rumors should be willng-nay, ANXIOUS
that the proper committee OF the body
should INQUIRE iutO their truth before l
offered 10 take the oath and to participate
IN the legislation OF the body.
MIR. Fessenden NOW, sir,
can il be said, when no members OF the
| Legislature q Maryland have demonstrated,
no persOns from Maryland have sent re-
monstrance here, no proof Is exhibited, no
statement in writing is made, nothing Tor
which anybody is responsible, that we can
with any prOpriety refuse To allow this gen.
tleman to take his seat in this body upon his
taking the usual oath?
"Me.srs. Sherman, Morton, Sumner, and
others u the extreme school would listen
TO no Igument or moderation such rs Mr..
Fessenden urged. Neither petition, nor
memorial, nor remonsirance, nor particle
Of evidence was presented 10 question the
right Ct Mr. Thomas TO his seat. Every
thing was regular and no imputaiiOn mad
been cast on the Legislature which elected
him. Upon vague rumOr alone, for which
Dir. Howard, who suggested It, would not
even Youcb, the credentials were referred
10 the Judiciary Committee and Mr.. Thomas
was not sworn in.
These are facts showing the actiOn Of
the Senate on the credentials and the rea'
sons on which it was based, without touch
ing The real merits Of the case. This Is
only one example Of many that might be
produced 10 Illustrate the course OF Repub-
llcaus when they had majority OF four to
one in the Senate.
"If this precedent should be followed it
would only be necessary TO refer to any Of
the rumors rife in Albany TOR two months
as a reason for passing the credentials OF
Messrs. Miller and L1pham TO proper COM
mittee, and for refusing them admission
Dending report. But, little as Republic
cans are entitled TO exemption from their
own harsh rules. this bad example ought
not to be initiated. Responsible charges Of
corruption, CT bribery, and OF offers Of
patronage for votes were made out OF the
Legislature. The grand jury indicted one
OF the State senators and two OF the cOrpo-
ration lobbyist stationed at Albany to ma
nipulate the election OF United States sem
ators. The Democratic address severely
arraigned the Republican majority, and Mr.
CoDkling charged publicly That forbidden
and abborrent forces and agencies were
used against him.
"Thesc are not common rumOrs or ran
dom mputations. They are grave charges,
which If true, should be proven, and II
false should he condemned. The good
name OF the State in its highest representa-
ton at Washington is involved. An inyes'
tigatiOD to test the truthfnlncss OF the
charges is the only satisfactory mode Of
procedure. To that end memorial, re-
spOnsibly signed and setting forth the facts,
should be laid before the Senate when The
credentials are presented. In this way Il
sound basis for inquiry will be laid