The National tribune., 1888-05-10
MELVILLE FULLER.
Damaging Disclosures Concerning the Nominee f
Chief Justice.

Damaging Disclosures Concerning the Nominee for
Chief Justice.
A dispatch from Bloomington, H., says that
an examination has been made into the record
of Melville W. Fulcr-whom the President has
nominated for Chief Justice-while he was a
member Of the notorious Peace Legislature"
Of Illinois in 1863, aud the following facts are
elected:
Mr. Fuller was one of the two members of
the Legislature who voted against receiving
United States legal tender Treasury notes for
faxes. House Journal, pages So aud 81 On
the same day ne introduced q bill TO ratify the
Corwin amendment to the Constitution of the
United States. This amendment was passed
March 2, 1861, just before the close OF Blu
chanan's Administration, by Congress as a peace
offering, and prohibited interference with
slavery III any State. fhe Illinois vote was
only six days subsequent to Lineolu's final
proclamation of emancipation. The amend
ment was finally passed by joint resolution Of
this Legislature The Republican minority of
the Committee oil Federal Relations in their
report said that after the South had made their
appeal to force to effect a separation of the
States we believe the passage of this bill
would be degrading to the people of the State
OF Illinois, a State which has sent 40 900 Of her
SONS to crush the rebellion, and would expose
us to the contempt Of the civilized world"
House Journal, pages Il, $50 and 53J) On
Jan s, (''Jackson Day y Mr. Fuller introduced
q resolution of which the following is a pOr-
ton:
Resolced, That we are profoundly convinced of
the truth Of the declaration of Gen. jackson in his
farewell address. taat the Constitution cannot be
maintained nor the Union preserved in opposition
to public feeling by the mere exertion Of the
ercivc powers of the Government blouse Jour
nal. page co.
The same day Mr.. O'Brien offered resolu-
ton denOuncing the proclamation Of emancipa-
ton as . Contrary to the rules and usages of
civilized warfare, and calculated to bring
shame, disgrace aud eternal inlamy upon the
hitherto unsullied Gag OF the Republic
Sir. Breutano offered a substitute indorsing
the Presidents proclamation, aud declaring
that we urge lis rigid enforcement, and will
use our utmost cndeayOrs to sustain it, On
motion to lay the substitute on the table Dir
Fuller voted in the Affirmative. O'Briens
resolution was referred to the Committee on
Federal Relations House Journal, pages 50,
ST. On Feb the committee reported this
preamble and resolution:
Whereas, the Constitution cannot be maintained
nor the Union preserved III opposition to public
feeling by the exercise of the coeTcive powers
conhded TO the General Government, and IN case
Of difference and conflicts between the States and
the Federal Government too powerful for adjust
meut by the civil departments Of the Government,
the appeal is not to the sword, by the State or by
the General Government but by the people peace
ably assembled by the Representatives. in Conveu-
'4oA w HNA4Ns@ b4S III AAS fAC7SNtiOii Va tl4S
present cannot result IN the restoration Of the
Union and the preservation Of the Constitution as
fathers made it unless the Presidents enamel
patton proclamation be Withdrawn.
The committee recommended that National
Convention Of all the States be convened at
Louisville, Ky. Mr. Fuller voted for the pre-
ambe and resolutions. House Journal, page
372 to 374; page 527.) Feb. -, Mr.. Fuller,
with the majority of the Committee on Judi
ciary, reported and voted against the bin for an
act to extend the right Of suffrage TO the vol
unteer soldiers Of Illinois IN the service Of the
United States, and the bill was defeated.
(House Journal pages $50 to SOL
June s, Mr Fuller voted for resolutions de-
nouncing the military authorities for hanish-
ing Clement l.. Yallandigham as an outlaw
and exile from his home into the enemy's