Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-07-07
MIR. vANDERPOEL remarked that

ing IN INC mdtter.
The yeas and nays were ordered, and
were, yeas II, nays 100.
So the House refused TO proceeu 10
the Orders Of the Day.
| MIR WISE then moved to s'r'Re oul
the reference TO the President ana 10
refer the subject TO committee OF 'ne
House. with power TO send for persons,
and papers. 10 sit during the recess, TO
procsed 10 The scene of the alleged frauds,
and, generally, TO carry on the inVestIga
ton 10 the fullest extent.
" Mr.. w. said those who had been enga
ged in the investigation knew best where
10 look for Information and he therefore
proposed 10 include some Of the members
of the committee on Indian Affairs on the
committee. The course proposed by the
gentleman from Alabama would, he belle
| we'd, DO worse than useless. Ii would have
the effect 10 cover up these frauds, instead
| Of exposing them.
Mr. LEWIS said he had consulted his
colleagues, and would state they were all
in favor of the widest possible invesliga
| ton. lie accepted the amendment oil The
gentleman from Virginia, as modlfica
| ton of his resolution.
MIR. BOULDlN wished TO address a
| question TO the mover Of the resolution
Was there war going on with the Creeks
at this time ?
Mr.. LEWIS replied in the affirmative.
MIR. BOULDIN said in that case he
| should not vote for the resolution.
| Mr.. BELL stated the fact that agents
had been appointed by the Government,
and paid for the investigation Of these We
ry frauds. The adoption Of the resolution
as first proposed, would, therefore add no
thing to the extent of the inquiry already
in progress. 1t was part OF the business
Of the Government 10 investigate these
frauds, and appropriations were regular
| ly asked and made for the purpose.
| MIR. RIPLEY stated that frauds did ex
ist TO great extent, as he had before had
occasion TO state on this floor. But agents
had been appointed 10 investigate them
| and hunt them down for this reason he
| thought select committee unnecessary
He would authorize the President TO send
agents TO the spot to investigate the facts,
and then TO institute suit against those
found to be guilty, in order TO bring them
TO condign punishment. EC parte exami
nations by committees were not worth a
straw. They would lead 10 no results
| The system of fraud was more extensive
than any one here imagined, and ii was
TO be ferrcted out and stopped in no other
way than by examinations Of the spot.
and the immediate prosecution of the 10
dividuals implicated in it,
MIR RIPLEY moved substitute for tho
resolution.
MIR LYON was Of the opinion that there
ought to be an Investigation both by the
President and by a Committee of this
House. A committee would no, have the
power TO arrest and punish persons found
guilty of participation in the frauds.
Mr. GARLAND, oil Louisiana, was sa.
tsfed (he said) by the remarks which had
been made, that it was improper 10 com
nit this investigation TO the Executive. Ii
was said that the Executive had long been
engaged in these inquiries. but as they had
not succeeded in atresting these frauds,
he wished to try some other course.
Mr. GARLAND, Of Louisiana, propos
| ed as a substitute a resolution for the APP
pointment Of select committee. with in
structions TO inquire into the causes of the
war now going on with the Seminoles and
| Greek Indians the frauds that have been
practised on any of said Indians, or those
of any other tribe, by any person or per-
sons whatever, and into the management
OF our Indian affairs generally, with the
| powers contained in the resolution Of Mr..
| Wise.
Mr. e. WHITTLESEY admitted, (Ae
sald) that this was an important question
bu, he implored gentlemen. in consdera
ton of the number OF bills, public and pri-
vate, demanding the attention Of the H.
TO desst from further discussion, and take
the question.
MIR LYON moved the previous qucs-
tloh but it was not seconded.
After some remarks from Mr.. GRANT.
LAND.
MIR MANN, of N. York, said he should
vote against the resolution, because he
was convinced. from former experience
and observation, that Investigations by
committees of this House were utterly i'm
potent They were among the humbugs
Of the day. II was said that we could
confer no new power upon the President
by resolution charging him with the in
vestIgstlon. This was true but it would
have the effect to direct his attention spe.
cially to the subject
| MIR PEYTON replied TO the remarks OF
The gentleman from New York. Ii was a
new doctrine that this House was power
less for the purpose Of inquiring into pub.
lie frauds and abuses. This was not the
doctrine Of The House when the U. States
Bank incurred the displeasure Of the FIX
ecutlee. A reference Of the memorial TO
the President was an evasion Of the inqui-
ry asked for; and it was a part Of the sys
tenn IN pursuance Of which this House had
steadily refused, during the present ses.
SION, 10 authorize any inquiry into public
abuses.
Mr. BfNUM was opposed to the reso
luton as reflection upon the President
and the party which supported him. 1t
proceeded upon the supposition that the
President would not discharge his duty in
TINS matter. He thought it idle, also, in
me heat OF battle. TO stop 10 inquire into
a nj L