REMARKS IN THE SENATE, ON THE RESOLUTION TO ADMIT PHILIP F. THOMAS AS
SENATOR FROM MARYLAND, FEBRUARY 13, 1868.
February 13th, the question of the admission of Hon. Philip F.
Thomas, Senator-elect from Maryland, charged with disloyalty,
coming up for consideration, on a resolution of Hon. Reverdy
Johnson, of that State, that said Thomas “be admitted to his
seat on his taking the oaths prescribed by the Constitution
and laws of the United States,” Mr. Sumner moved the following
substitute:--
“That Philip F. Thomas, Senator-elect from Maryland, cannot
be admitted to take the oaths of office required by the
Constitution and laws, inasmuch as he allowed his minor son
to leave the paternal house to serve as a Rebel soldier,
and gave him at the time one hundred dollars in money, all
of which was ‘aid,’ ‘countenance,’ or ‘encouragement’ to
the Rebellion, which he was forbidden to give; and further,
inasmuch as in forbearing to disclose and make known the
treason of his son to the President, or other proper
authorities, according to the requirement of the statute
in such cases, he was guilty of misprision of treason as
defined by existing law.”