The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-05-04
gmentp=Seoenth Gongress.
SECOND SESSION.
IN SENATE,
TUESDAY, May 3, 1912.


amendment, the Senate bill for the relief OF Charles
Woodruff. The amendment was then concurred IN.
The CHAIR laid before the Senate communlca-
ton from the Secretary OF the treasury IN
with resolution adopted in January last, calling Tor
statements showing the amount OF money received ny
public officers during the existence OF the Independent
Treasury Act and what losses II any, occurred, ny
defacation, during its existence
The foliowing bills were read third time and
The bill To continue in force the act foI the final
aJustmen, of private land claims in Missouri, APP
proved 9th July 1882, and the act supplemental
thereto approved 2d of March, 1888 the bill for The
relief Of John c. Reynolds, late dsbusing agent of
the Indian Department. the bill confirming the claim
Of Jean Baptisle Lecompte 10 tract of land in Louis
lana the bill for the relief Of Charles NJ Keller; and
the bill confirming the claim Of the heirs and legal
representatives of Pierre Dole TO tract of land in
Louisiana.
MIR. TAPPAN presented the resolutions of the Lee
gslature of Ohio, nstructing their Senators and re-
quesng their Representatives to urge upon Congress
the passage of law authorizing sale OF what is
called the Ottawa reservation
Mr.. MILLER presented petition from citizens OF
Burlington New Jersey, praying for an additional ta-
riff Of duties on foreign importations.
Mr.. MERRICK said that some remarks were ad-
dressed to the Senate yesterday morning in relation
the papers connected with nomination before the
Senate. He had learned, for it was his misfortune
to be absent from his seat at the time that the Sena
tor from Missouri, (Mr. Benton,) in the course
of his remarks, had ascrbed certain act of the
Postmaster General to have been induced by the
sderation that the individual nominated for the Office
of Postmaster at ST. Louis was relative of the Post
master General.
NJ BENTON remarked that he had said connec-
ton of the Postmaster General
Mr.. MERRICK observed that he had been inform
ed that the gentleman alluded to was in no way
nected with the Postmaster General. So far, the Sc
nator from Missouri mistaken, and therefore the
charge relating to this public officer had no founda
ton which to exist. He thought that they ought
to have fair understanding of their duty in relation
information which they might receive from the Ex-
ecutive Departments, and which should be made either
TO the Senate or any one oft committees, as conf
Dental. There had heretofore been some action by
the Senate subject of kindred nature, against
as confidential. He did not think it proper to make
any remarks to the the Senator from Mis-
souri, in publishing the papers to which the Senator
alluded yesterday but his desire was that some
oaction with reference 10 Executive communications,
should be prescribed for the future. lie had been
fused the inspection of papers record in the War
Department. and WINS informed that such pri-
vilege was only extended to members gratia,
or by. resolution of either branch of Congress.
Whether the Interpretation Of the law by the Secre-
tary was right, he did not know Ten years ago a
Senator from Massachusetts, Mr.. Pickerng) saw fit
to read, in debate the contents OF communication
which made TO the Senate in secret session and
for doing he received the Of the Senate by
the adoption of resolution submitted by Mr.. Clay
and which was in the following words:
Resolred, That Timothy Pickering, Senator
from Massachusetts,, having, on this day, while the
Senate were sitting with open doors, read from his
place certain documents communicated by the Presi-
dent of the United States-the Injunction of secresy
not having been removed-committed q violation of
the rules of this body"
The resolution was debated at considerable
length, and General Samuel Smith from his
mr.. Merrck's) own State said that 'there could
be no doubt that there were certain things
of confidential nature which were extremely ad-
vantageous to them in making up their opinions and
the President, when making certain communications,
acted with strong reliance on those with whom he
communicated; and therefore they ought not to di-
yulge that which intended to be kept secret If
they should do So the President could not place rel-
ance on them, and make communications for which
they might CALL. These were the views entertained
by MIR. Smith and other gentlemen who took part in
the debate 1t was necessary for Senators in the dis
charge of their duties all Executive Subjects that
they should have free to all information touch
ing the subect-matter which might be under investl-
CATION in secret session. for the purpose Of guiding
their judgment and enabling them to arrive at cor
rect conclusions The communications might be Of a
confidential nature, and not to be known beyond the
limits Of the Senate Therefore, there should exist an
understanding between the Executive and the Senate
directed to this end. As the chairman of the Com
mittee on the Post Office, it was proper that he
should ask the Senate to consider this subject in or
der to ascertain whether some mode should not be
adopted to place the matter on clear and distinct
footing. These remarks were in no way intended to
reproach the Senator from Missouri. He had no
right to cenrure that gentleman for what he had
done; all that he desired was, that difficulties
should remain hereafter in obtaining information
from the Executive Department
Mr. RENTON said thaf he would ro an anl ra
move the foundation from under the Senator, who
had made speech bottomed the supposition that
confidential communication from the President had
been made public by some Senator Now, it so hap
pened that the letter from the Postmaster General
was placed on hle-f,il ,e-and in the language of
the Postmaster General it had become an archiye-
a,r,c,h,,v,e-and being archve in that De-
partment, and called for from that Department
and not called for from the President il had come
forth bearing all the bloody marks Of the Department
lie would say to the Senator from Mary land, with
all possible Difference, that he thanked him for the
delicacy with which, as the Chairman Of the Commit
tee on the Post Office and Post Roads, he had men
toned this matter but he called upon the Senator to
show the paper with the red official ink and endorse
ments
Mr.. MERRICK declined
Mr. BENTON said that as the document had
been mentioned by both of them, he made the de-
mand
Mr.. 'MERRICK claimed possession of the paper,
and would not produce it,
Mr.. EVANS said that if the debate to stop at
one o'clock he would have objection to its CONT
nuance until that hour.
Mr.. BENTON would agree that it should not stand
in the way of the general appropriation BILL and he
said that if the debate should not be concluded by
one o'clock, it would be on some other way
Mr.. PHELPS arose. and observed that he felt
bound in justice to himself as the calendar of private
business was
Mr. BENTON said that lie was on the floor, and
had not given it up.
Mr.. PHELPS then took his seat.
The CHAIR remarked that, as there was nothing
before the Senate, the Senator from Missouri could
not proceed unless by the consent of the body.
Mr.. BENTON would, then, appeal to the indu-
gence of the Senate to permit him to proceed
The CHAIR asked whether such was the pleasure
Of the Senate.
Mr.. BUCHANAN. Till one o'clock, certainly.
MIR. BENTON observed toat The Postma sfer Con