Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 April 1877 — Senator Morton. [ARTICLE]

Senator Morton.

Senator Morton arrived at home yesterday morning. He,will remain here until the meeting of congress in special session, in June next, visiting his friends in various parts of the state and enjoying a period of needed rest, to which he is fairly snfitled by reason of the extraordinary labors incident to the work of the congress which closed on the 4th of March instant. The record Senator Morton made daring the exciting and important work of the past winter is one creditable to him, and in which the republicans of Indiana may properly take great pride. No senator did more; (e w , B »ny, so much, and none certainly wielded a larger influence. . When the presidential election of the 7th of November endedSenator Marton was on the Pacific coast. So soon as the complications attending that election began to arise, in obedience to a summons he repaired at once to Washington, not taking the time to stop at home for the transaction of private business that should have demanded his attention. Upon arrival there and an examination of the laws of the several states touching the presidential question, he first discovered the threatening trouble in Nebraska. In that state the votes for electors were to be canvassed by the legislature, and under the spur of Senator Morton and others, Governor Butler was prevailed upon to call an extra session of the general assembly and Canvass the votes, thereby saving the electoral votes of that s t tate to Hayes and Wheeler. This was previous to the meeting of congress. When congress convened the first thing the senate did was to order its committee on privileges and elections to investigate the elections held in the southern states, and also .the Oregon trouble, Cronin’s nose having then just be gnn to loom upon the horizon. The committee was temporarily increased, sub-committees being sent, to Louisiana, South Carolina and Florida, while Messrs. Alorton, Mitchell and Kernan remained in Washington tn conduct the investigation touching the states of Alabama, Mississippi and Oregon. There were six sub-ooinmilte&s at one time. The country is familiar with the thoroughness with which the Oregon infamy was investigated; how the mysterious cipher dispatches were traced, until finally they were laid at the door of Mr. Tilden’s house, No. 15. Gramerey Park, New York. So far as public opinion was concerned, the work of the senate committee ••n the Oregon case had more influence than any and all other investigations, whether of the senate or the house.

The next step in th® presidential question was the appointment of the joint committee to devise a plan for coanting the electoral votes. Senator Morton was a member of this committee, and as is well known was the only member who declined to approve the report embodying the bill creating the electoral commission. He withheld his name for reasons which he forcibly stated on the floor of the eena&ft and whether men agreed with him or not, certainly his course was manful and straightforward. It is fair to. say, we think, that in opposing that bill Senator Morton represented the large majority of the republicans of this state and of the couhtry. The vote in congress showed this, and the three thousand letters received by the senator from all parts of the republic is further confirmation. Many good men and stanch republicans differed from him, but he had the courage of his convictions, never questioning, however, the motives of those who Were upon the opposite side. When the bill passed and the commission was constituted. Senator Morton was one of the commissioners chosen by the senate. He attended every sitting, took a large share in the deliberations, and it so happened led in the discussion of each case submitted to it, except that Mr. Edmunds made a brief speech of fifteen or twenty minutes in the Florida case. The proceedings of the commission. Which have just been published, show that in each and every iusiance the legal ground assumed by Mr. Morton was the One upon which the filial, decision was based. In the Oregon case especially, Mr. Morton home; familiar with all ilk bearings, and conversant with the narrow, technical grounds upon which the democracy rested. His speech in the "senate in reply to Judge Hoadly’s brief, printed in ths Cincinnati Commercial, will be remembered as ifo <77; 'it* •; 7 , Ji—il '(Mi

a complete and irrefutable answer to the web of sophistry reared by that noted ipycial-plesder.r Despite wbat is constantly asserted about his health Senator Morton worried out both Mr. Edmunds and Mr. Thurman in the commission, and at the close of its arduous labors went into the senate to assume bis full share of senatorial work. This is but a brief sketch of the duties devolving upon Mr. Morton during the eventful congress whose life went out with the inauguration of President Hayes. When the new administration came into power he was active and influential in securing the confirmation of the chosen cabinet, holding that the president should be allowed to select his own advisers, and not be hampered in the development of his policy. Whatever differences of opinion may be held upon minor matters, or however good and honorable men may differ, certainly every republican of Indiana should be gratified at the influential and honor# ble part borne by our representative in the i important events of the last few months. The name and reputation of Indiana have not been suffered tn decline in Senator He has borne bis full share of labor, has discharged his full proportion of national duty, and is entitled to this need of recognition from every member of the party. Mr. Morton will not proceed to Oregon to investigate the election of Senator Grover until after the conclusion of the special session of congress.— lndianapolis Journal.