The record-union., 1893-04-15
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
Roach Asks That the Charges Against
Hin be Investigated.

Him be Investigated.
WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE object of
the proposed investigation of Senator
Roach of North Dakota was precipitated
on the Senate this morning by Roach
himself. He said he was perfectly will
ing that the investigation should proceed.
He had desired an investigation, but
yielded to the advice of elder Senators.
Hoar asked for unanimous consent for
the passage of his resolution.
George objected, on the ground that the
Senate had no power to make an investi-
CATION, as the matters involved acts prior
to and unconnected with Roach's election.
German moved the appointment of
committee to inquire into the power of
the Senate to make ADMINISTRATION under
the circumstances.
Chandler spoke in favor of the Hoar
resolution. During the course of Chan
dler's arguments he yielded on several
occasions. One of these was to an effort
on the part of Hoar to have the time
fixed for the taking of vote on the ques-
ton of the admission of Senators from
Montana, Washington and Wyoming.
of those States. Objection was made on
the Democratic side, but with the state
ment that the Senators on that side would
confer upon it. Another occasion was to
have action taken on the resolutions for
investigation of the claim of Ady as SEN
ator from Kansas, and for visit to the
Territories of Arizona, New Mexico,
and Oklahoma, to ascertain their fitness
for admission as States. Both resolutions
were agreed to without objection.
Chandler then proceeded with his argu-
ment in support of Hoar's resolution.
He made numerous and voluminous cita-
tions from English and American history
bearing on the question whether expul-
sion from parliamentary body can be
based upon acts committed before the ac-
cused person became a member. He
claimed that precedent established that
right.
VOORHEES,, replying to Chandler, said
presumptions were in favor of the virtue.
intelligence and capacity of the States to
send to the Senate men who were fit for
the high position, and the presumptions
were that the representatives of other
States would be better employed in mind
ing their own business than in critisisinp
the action of a State in choosing its
Senators. Tho proposed investigation
was simply an inquisitorial process out
side of all constitutional limit. He de-
sired that the country know on his side of
the chamber that they would investigate
within the limits of the Constitution,
and not beyond them. 81 heard it
alleged of the Senator from New Hamp-
shire very grave and ugly things. L
heard men say while was Sec
rotary of the Navy he built three or
four ships, which made but one trip. and
that to the bottom of the sea. 1 heard it
alleged that the contractors retired from
the work rich, contented and Infamous
all at the same time. / hear these things
said. Does the Senator from New Hamp-
shire believe these matters should be
taken out of the newspapers, aud that
or other Senators should, without word
of testimony. rise here and arraign him?
The Senator from New Hampshire would
turn this body into the most miserable and
most contemplate conclave of inquisi-
torial process the world ever had any
knowledge Of 1 would want to leave the
Senate with loathing and disgust rather
than serve in body which claimed the
right to supervise the morals of Senators
from other States, and to enter into judg-
ment upon them. 1t might be the Sem
ator from North Dakota suffered a mis-
fortune. He never sought, however, to
evade the laws of the country, and to-day
he is returned among those whom he in
jured, without single claim being made
against him."
Hansbrough testified to the good quail