Year: 1875

THE EXTRA SESSION.
Senate.


The Senate met yesterday and imme-


lasted until one O'Clock.


After the executive session the roll was


called and twenty-nine Senators were an


nounced as present.


A communication from the executive was


received and read, urging Immediate and


ures for the relief of the city Of New


Orleans.


Messrs. Lowell, Beasley and Elliott, a CON-


mittee from the House, appeared before the


bar of the Senate and informed that body
of the action of the House in impeachin g


State Auditor Clinton. .


The report Of the special committee ap'
pointed to investigate the affairs of the
Office of the State Auditor of Public Ac.
counts came up as the special order OF the
day.
Senator Wharton moved the adoption of


the report.


Senator Ogden said he found on his desk


the report Of the committee appointed to
examine the books and accounts of the State
Auditor. He said he regarded it as very
thorough and searching document; one that
had been made by a responsible committee
of the Senate with reference to the financial
affairs Of the State. He found that this
report was accompanied by documents, and


was compelled to assume that so. far as
the report extends, the statements made in
it were uncontradicted. Therefore, Le said,
he should be compelled, with regret, to vote
for the adoption of it. The members who
compose the committee, he thought, de-
served the highest compliment for the man.
ner in which they have pursued their inves-
LEGATIONS, and for the spirit of independence
which they have displayed in bringing to
light the acts Of maladministration on the
part OF one of the highest officials in the
State.


Senator Burch expressed himself opposed
to the adoption of the report at this time
because, in his opinion. it would be pre-
judging the case, and that, he said, is con-
trary to all law and usage. The guilt or
innocence of the person accused will be
ascertained upon the trial of the case.
The Senator said he should vote against
the adoption OF the report of the committee
at this time-not because he believed the
report to be untrue, but simply for the
reasons he had already stated. He be.
lieved that if the Senate now adopted the
report it would be tantamount to decl airing
the person accused guilty, and that he
was opposed to, especially as the
Senate will, sitting in its capacity as high
court of impeachment, have to try the case.
The Senator further said that if this report
should be adopted it would be declaring
the gentleman guilty, no matter how much
evidence he might bring to prove his inno-
cence. He thought it would be time
enough to take action when this ease is
brought before the Senate sitting as q
high court of impeachment. The Senator
thought no argument could be produced to
satisfy him to the contrary, and said he
would never consent to become party to
the prejudgment OF any man. He de-
sired to be placed on record, not
as one willing to have this matter
put off indefinitely, but as one willing at
the proper time and place to enter fully
into it's merits. He could not, therefore,
vote to adopt tho report at this time, and
preferred that it be laid upon the table,
subject to call. He did not intend to make
the motion, but preferred that it should be
done.


Senator Young moved that tie report be
and called the previous question
on his motion.


Senator Wharton said he would vote for
the adoption of the report at this time.
He thought the further postponemeut of it
would certainly show a want of confidence
in the committed, and viewing the matter
in the light of justice he did not think the
adoption of the report at this time would be
prejudging the case, for he could safely say
The statements embodied in the report
would be fully substantiated at the proper
time. He thought the report should be
adopted in vindication of the.action of the |
committee. He would therefore vote to |
adopt the report.


Senator White said he would vote against |
The adoption of the report, because he un
lerstood it was to be made the basis of ar
icles of impeachment to be drawn up in the |
House, and in that case the Senate would |
rave to try the cause; and he, as member |
# that body, therefore could not vote to
Idopt the report.


Senator Robertson eaid he would vote for |
he adoption Of the report, and in so doing |
10 did not think he was prejudging the |
ase. i


Senator Blackburn declared he would |
,ote against the adoption Of the report at |
his time, for the reason that it was only |
PARTIALLY read yesterday, and he had not
ad time to examine it as thoroughly as he
hould like to do. He would say nothing
s to the justice or injustice of the state
nents contained in the report, but felt him
elf compelled to vote against the adop ton
f the report.


Senator Allan said he would vote against
he adoption Of the, report, because he had
OF read it, and had only heard part of it
ead. He fully concurred with the Senator
.om East Baton Rouge in the opinion that,
y adopting the report at this time, it
orld be prejudging the guilt of the person
ccused. He would, therefore, vote against
ne adoption of the report.


Senator Brewster SAID he would vote for
,e adoption of the report because he con-
dered it his duty to do so. He did not
,nsider that in doing this he was working
q injustice to Mr.. Clinton. The adoption