The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-23

Der of that Committee or in this House. that entitled
member of this House. to be protected against direct
charges OF coupton unless they can be sustained The
! gentleman has no right TO make charge against the
members of committee, and when called upon TO parc
ulaze require them TO discaim That was perslstng
in the CHARGE and if the gentleman meant 10 be under
stood as including him Mr. CO. in that charge he would
simply say that ii was utterly, absolutely false
Mr.: MoSELEY. The Chair recognises me as mem
Der OF that committee was present during the debate
on Saturday The gentleman from Ohio addressed the
Chair from his present seat, but beyond my hearing.
am indebted TO the reports for the hrs nlimaton OF
ANYTHING of the kind saw in the report that the re-
mark was made, and that gentleman who noticed il
made disclaimer for himself member OF the com
mittec al the time That disclaimers did not follow
must be simply owing to the fact that he not heard
have forborne to call for public explanation OF the
charge but after the remarks which have been made il
would be improper for me TO forbear any longer ask
the gentleman from Ohio ii 10 me, a member of that
committee, he directed that charge hope he will answer
the question simply yea or nay.
Mr. NORRIS | have, MIR. Speaker, before stated
that If any gentleman disclams the charge, DO not in
clude him; and | think the House will distinctly under
stand who of the committee included and who are
not and If il not out OF order here will assign
OF the reasons which led 10 make the charge [Cres
OF ''oh, no." and confusion.
The SPEAKER. VIII the members of the House
come to order'
from Ohio, who made the declaration as applying TO
bers of the committee state distinctly whether he in
cluded me in that imputation Will he answer directly
Mr. MORRIS desire to give the reasons if the gen
teman press [Several voices, "Let have the
Mr.. MosEIEY. Do understand that the gentleman
does not answer me
Mr.. NORRIS | will answer the gentleman. Mr. NJ.
proceeded to state that the subject had been under consd
Grafton in committee for considerable tiwe. bill was
reported by them at the last session. providing for the
sale OF those mineral lands, but ii extended refonna-
ton either TO the occupants on the essees Though the
committee was nearly the same. different state of things
existed among them at this session. He was, himself,
in favor OF providing for the sale OF the mineral lands,
but was unwilling that the settled policy of the govern
should be sell them for the benefit of particular
class of men, He had made every effort in his power
prevent the bill from being reported in the shape in which
it had been reported; but seeing that gentlemen had
changed their opinions and were determined 10 force it
through IN that shape-seeing that different provision
about be attached to the bll-seeing that there
TO be change in the whole features of the bill in
way which would injure the public and they be deraud
ed out OF millions OF money, he stated IT. Seeing that
they unwilling to have such provisions attached to
the bill would do equal justice TO all and result in no
injury TO the committee he was led TO believe that some
OF the gentlemen personally interested in the NATTER
and after further inquiry he found to be the fact He
did not now choose, and would not name the individual
unless gentlemen pressed the matter. further, He
willing to acquit any gentleman who would discaim-
A MEMBER. Ii the gentleman from Ohio has any
evidence in his possession which goes to show
The SPEAKER The Chair decides that this is a per-
sona matter, and would state that there parliament
ary method whereby gentlemen arrive at the ques
ton
Mr. MOSELEY Mr.. Speaker, allow me to add one
word responsive the remarks OF the gentleman from
Ohio. am about to introduce resolution to appoint
committee in order TO give the gentleman from Ohio
opportunity subsantate the truth of the imputaton
which he has made, il he chooses. 1t is due TO my
Mr.. MORRIS. l would say that have no evidence
that the gentleman from New York is personally con
nected in the matter.
Mr. MoSELEY. Do you make the charge'
Mr. NORRIS. | do not make 1t personally to YOU.
Mr. MOSELEY. 1t is enough. One word more, Mr.
Speaker, and will not trouble you further. Mr.. NJ
proceeded to say that, as member of that House. he
fol- hp t,t-nh ,,lf,
eighth part Of the character of that House, but when
charge made upon portion of that body narrowed
down TO seven or eight or nine men, i was no small
matter. Corruption the charge, and the government
to be ruined. 1t must not, could not, should not
pass by in silence. He therefore challenged an nves-
legation; though feeling in his very heart that it
would acqut him of the charge, il due the country
that the gentleman who made the charge should substan-
tate it, wear the brand of fasehood upon his brow
language make the members feel that they were bound
by all their considerations OF regard for personal charac
ter to give It, Let the matter be probea to the bottom
Spread BARE he concluded if there be corruption hold
up aerror 10 all evil doers Ii il be false let it sink
into oblivion.
Nj G. S HOUSTON said he had stood there and
heard that most irregular debate longer than he had in
tended to do He knew how 10 sympathze with the
gentlemen upon whom hataspersion seemed be cast
and he had hoped that the honorable gentleman from
Ohio would have felt due to himself and to that House
to have given his imputaon direction which would
have reached some member Of the committee. He had
understood him to assign no single reason for the charge
the last session OF Congress He submitted whether the
gentleman ought not 10 tell them at once that no other
reason could be assigned
MEMBER | understood that the charge was
founded upon truth.
Mr.. MORRIS. 1t was founded upon truth so far as an
Mr.. MoSELEY, Better yet. 1t is narrowed down to
an individual.
Mr. G S HOUSTON | hope the gentleman will say
who that Individual is. think it is due TO him if not
hope that some proceedings will be had, which will
oblige the gentleman TO do justice 10 that individual
name"1
Mr.. NOSELEY then submitted a resolution referring
the subject to a committee.
Mr., MORRIS desired to modify it.
Mr.. MOSELEY said he would give the gentleman from
Ohio every opportunity to shape the resolution according
to his views.
Mr. MORRIS having slightly modified the resolution,
II read as follows:
Resolved, That committee of five members be appoint
ed TO investigate the charges made by the honorable Jo
JEPH NORRIS of Ohio, against member the Committee
Public Lands, relative to personal interest charged
against that member in the subjectmatter Senate bill
No 10 and that the said committee have power to send
for persons and papers.
be brought to speedy conclusion. He knew nothing
about the matter but il did seem to him, from a word
which hal been communicated to him by the gentleman
from Ohio that it would result in nothing.
Another motion was here made to adjourn, and re-
ieeted
Mr. NORRIS will name an in livdual.
Mr. MOSELEY, and others. "Name Individual
"name him"
Another motion was made 10 adjourn.
Several members endeavoring to speak,
The CHAIR decided the debate to be out OF order.
The motion to adjourn then put No quorum vo-
ting the House refused to adjourn.
Mr. BURT thought the resolution should be adopted
that evening