Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-08-19

executive officer that subordinate member Of coordinate
department had presented paper to this House. mPeachDg
the moral character and the integrity and honor Of that member
OF THIS House He knew nothing of the correctness OF these
charges; he had known the Commissioner of Indian Affairs
Tor ten years with some intimacy, and had any
thing discediable IN his conduct He was therefore,
pared to ener into this investigation with something Of
partiality in his favor But he startled when he heard
gentlemen % this floor talking about executive officers being
influenced ~ reyengefu feelings towards this House. This
House were me representatives Of the sovereignty the people,
and the grand inquest of the nation and yet they
must not aragn the conduct of public funconares for fear
their motvS should be attacked in return Had 10
this in ls4S, when this great struggle going
between Executive power and the popular supremacy What
there what had been said by the gentleman from
North Caplina to provoke such an attack A gentleman
whom he Was proud TO call his friend notwithstanding the
base charges which had been brought against him gentle
to whose unmpeachable character was unnecessary
for him hear testimony He read the reported remarks Of
Mr.. CLIstaAS
Mr.. SAWYER and Mr.. c. J. INGERsoLL wished the
paper Of Mr.. Medill to be read also.
Mr.. THOMPSON said it could be read when he got
through nd proceeding to speak Of the remarks Of Mr.
CLINGMAE, when
Mr.. CLINGMAN repeated the correction of the report
which hehad made at previous stage of the debate.
Mr.. THOMPSON understood that the gentleman from
North Ctroina, then, had made such charge
represented. When individual member of this House
thought proper to attack individual out OF the House,
this House, House, could know nothing of it, il
matter FIR the individuals to settle between themseves
But heman feeling himself aggrieved had right to
send nD this House applying abusive epthets TO the
member than he had insult the Speaker for having signed
bill which might be entirely consistent with his
private opinions The constitution provided that members
should be held responsible elsewhere for words spoken IN
debate and the House bound protect them whenever
they were called in question
Mr. COLLAMER thought the only question properly be-
fore the House was whether the language Of the paper
disrespecu the House and if this the question,
the language Of Mr. CLISGMAs, the justice Of the charges
made by him. &C., not just matter of comment And,
this late stage of the session, he suggested that gentlemen
confne themselves strictly to the point at issue.
Mr.. THOMPSON would accept the suggestion Of his
friend and conne himself mainly the question before the
House. The gentleman from North Carolina had only spo-
ken Of Of what he had heard, and yet was gravey
argued that for this the gentleman was liable to be
insulted and his motives aagned by Executive officer
But appeared that the gentleman incorrectly reported
He referred the great difficulty Of reporting with entire cor
recnes in the noise and confusion Of this hail. and said the
proper for the Commissioner OF Indian Affairs would have
been he had considered the reported remarks attack
his character, have addressed the gentleman from North
Carolina nquirng whether he correctly represented in
the reported remarks But the gentleman from North Caro-
lima had said be believed the Indian bureau corrupt So
did be- (Mr t. and he ventured to say, did two hum
ded out of the two hundred and thirty members this floor
not that the head of the bureau corrupt but that was
impossible for any man, OF however high integrity and great
energy, purge the Indian bureau of the fostering corruption
which existed in its various ramifcations.
Mr. CLINGMAN wished to explain, but objections
made.
Mr. THOMPSON continued He was told he was vast
ing the whole day. The House had wasted weeks and
months in discussing private and unmporan bills and now
when he stood defend the high constitutional rights and
preogatves Of this House, he be told that out
of place 2
He continued to the communication exceed
ngy improper in its TERMS and he said ought be reject
ed by the House. Ii he were in order he would offer the
| following resolution
Resolved That the communication the Commissioner Of
Indian Affairs be returned that officer, and that he be in
formed that this House considers the language thereof Of
Mr.. ROCKWELL, of Connecticut, also up
luton which read by the Clerk 1t to the effect
that the communication from Mr.. Medl dsrespectu in
its language and Therefore that it ought not to be received
Mr. BURT to point OF Order The paper upon the
Speakers table had no. been received by the House, and
therefore could be made the subject Of the action Of the
House. The House could assign other than that
which implied by its rejection.
Mr. FRIES inquired whether he had the right, under the
rules, to withdraw the communication
| The SPEAKER replied that he had.
Mr. FRIES then said that acting in Difference the wishes
Of his friends and with the Of reaching the important OBJ
jet which he and his friend, Col Medl, desired
rve VIZ the obtaining Of investigation of all the charges
preferred by the gentleman from North Carolina he withdrew
the communication with the intention Of moving resolution
| of inquiry.
At subsequent stage Of the proceedings Mr.. FRIES ask
ed leave 10 offer the following resolution which adopted
Resotued That committee Of three members of this House
be appointed inquire into and fully investigate the
pursued by the Commissioner Of Indian Affairs in the admins
traon OF his official duties, and especially into the charges
made and preferred debate this body the 9th instant
by the Hon. T. L. CLIsGNaS, member Of this House. and
that said committee have full snd ample and authority
require books aud papers, examine Witnesses and 10 in
yestgae fully said charges and that said committee shall
port the result Of their said investigation the session OF
Congress.
POST ROUTES.
The House then proceeded consider the amendments
the bill establish certain post routes and for other pur
poses which returned from the Senate with sundy amend
ments.
The amendment authorizing the appointment Of deputy
postmssters San Diego and other ports in California
concurred in, and the amendment providing that the
provided for the bill should be put into operation
until the general lettings amended by providing that
the routes should be put contract at the annual
lettings IN ls49 and II then agreed TO- amen ded.
The other amendments in, and
dered that the Clerk acquaint the Senate herewith.
The House proceeded consider the Senaes amendment
to the House bill to alter the time Of holding the terms OF the
United States Courts for the Western district Of Virginia
Senate.
On motion Of Mr. JONES' OF Tennessee, il was resolved
| that the House do insist upon its amendment.
Mr.. ]. II. INGERS0LL moved that Committee OF Con-
ference the part Of the House the dagreeng votes Of
the Houses the foregoing bill be appointed Agreed TO-
Mr.. MARVIN, by leave, from the Committee Military
Affairs, which referred Senate bill TO allow subsistence
Arkansas and other volunteers who have been pr
of in Mexico, reported the same Committed.
Also, from the committee, TO which was referred
Senate bill concerning the pay department Of the army,
ported the same without amendment
The bill then read the third time ard passed, and
turned 10 the Senate.