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

to furnish report The debate continued as follows 4
Mr.. WOODWARD said he had no remarks to offer in
aon TO the pope Of the course pursued by the honorable
member from North Carolina, (Mr CLINGMAS,) nor did he
rise vndcae the supposed privileges of members Of this
House He denied that any privileges existed except by the
positive provisions of the constitution such Congress
might enact pursuance Of its right Of exclusive legislation
in this District.
His intention was to express his Of the conduct of the
Commissioner Of Indian Affairs in sending this body in
sultng and offensive communication. IL appeared to him
that every thing tending the humiliation and debase
men OF the Legislative branch OF the Government If SINH
lar communication had been addressed the Executive
branch, to of its subordinate departments the
War the State Department it would have been regarded
outrage He (Mr. W. would have considered it.
And he did not hesitate declare that he would dis
miss from office any officer of this House who his official
position, should be guilty Of such act Should the Clerk
OF this House, the Segeanat other subordinate
take himself to address the President the language
which Of his subordnaes has presumed to throw into our
face this morning. there is not member this side of the
House who would not demand his dismissal from Office And
he (Mr W. would readily accede to the demand. Yes sir,
(sad Mr. W. could separate your character as Speaker
from your constitutional privileges member of this body,
would vote for your dismissal under like circumstances.
And, sir shall expect from the Executive the justice
am so ready to accord him. shall expect him TO dismiss
COL Med from office, at all events, subject him to some
proper eproof As he Mr. W.) would defend the Execu
tive department from insult and aggression the part Of
subodnes he would expect the Executive defend the
Legislative department against aggessons and insult from his
subodlnaes III has come 10 ths That subordinate In one
Of the Departments presumes to send insulting commune
cation to this House and what is still humiatng, to
demand Of certain proceedings thereon and
pected upon his demand go into the question Of the in
famous conduct Of Of ourselves Sir, shall expect
every member this floor who does not bear in his bosom
the heart of rep Indignantly, this insult upon the
American House OF Commons thus offered by snbor-
dnate id another branch Of the Government the honora
BILE member from North Carolina Mr CLINeMAs has done
injustice the Commissioner, Mr. Medil let Mr.. Medill
seek satisfaction outside of these walls in such he
may think best upon his responsibility shall consider
myself as having right to interfere.
Mr. FARAN next obtained the floor.
Mr.. G. j. INGERSOLL said he wished very much to hear
the communication read. He had heard word Of it.
Mr. FARAN spoke Of the Importance Of the officer at the
head Of the Indian Bureau being of the highest honor
and the sces integrity and said whenever any member OF
the Executive Legislative department attempted degrade
that officer in the public estimation represent him
resisting corruption spuning bride, such effort part
cuarly when made from the Legislative department. should
meet the spot with instant rebuke Never could he ask
any department of this Government respect him when he
did not respect himself could this House be respected by
the country when would not respect ITSELF If members Of
this House would charge the basest corruption upon persons
who stood at the head of the Treasury and who should be
Of the incest honor and the sctes integrity he said they
should never shrink from any investigation which might be
asked by that officer or by any member Of this House.
What he complained Of that the gentleman from North
Carolina he believed the charges which he had preferred
true had long brought them before the House
and demanded investigation. But when, having failed
do this he got up the heel Of the session and threw
debate these charges OF bribery and corruption upon the head
OF the Indian Bureau, than proper that that
officer should repe those charges language strong the
gentleman himself had used ....
Mr.. F. yielded the floor the appeal of Mr.. CUMMINS
who was proceeding to offer remarks, when
Mr. DUER raised the point Of order that the gentleman
could yield the floor without losing his right il entirely
The SPEAKER stated that by the courtesy of the House,
gentlemen had been allowed yield others for explanations
and still retain the floor but by the strict parliamentary law
-
the floor at a time.
Mr. DUER gave notice. them that when the gentleman
M CuaMISs concluded he should object the gentleman
who had yielded resumng the floor, and should himself claim
II and movethe previous question.
Mr. FARAN under this intimaion, resumed the floor,
and, after remarkng that the law applied this case,
40 the uniform practice of the House, aud expressing the
hope that if insisted upon now, would be in all other
proceeded TO say that without inmatng the slightest de-
gree that the insnuaton contained in the communication
against the gentleman from North Carolina correct (he
genemans statement had been made, which he bound
to believe he nevertheless held that il any member of this
House acted coupty, the privilege OF American
citizen, whether he held office under the Executive not
present the charge to this body and communication Of that
kind be apprehended, had been considered
the House. II member this floor made serious charge
against Executive Officer such the charge OF bribery
corruption he held the privilege Of such officer reply
TO in language strong that in which the charge
made Gentlemen should recolect that Of this hall
sensitive their they themselves were
/
charges Of bribery and corruption brought against him.
Tepe them in language strong that in which the
charges couched and demand Of the House nves
tgaon. He had known this public officer long, and he
dertook to there lived not human being Of scter nteg
ry and nicer honor and who earnestly desired
citizen and officer Of the Government faithfully to dis
charge his duties to the country He undertook say that
the gentleman from North Carolina had been most wofuy
grossly gregousy imposed upon and be had doubt hut
the gentleman with his high Of honor and his beray
gentleman towards gentleman, would after nvesti
CATION be ready to acknowledge before the country that he
had been deceived and mistaken in submitting the charges,
He hoped objection would be made full investigation
Of the case.
Mr.. HOUSTON, Of Alabama, appealed to the gentleman
from Ohio 10 adopt other mode Of arriving the facts
Of the The gentleman desired investigation Of the
truth ay Of the charges made against the Commissioner
Of Indian Affairs II proper il should be had He
sidered the communication Of the Commissioner OF Indian
Affairs, though in the main unobjeconable, still in
parts depecu TO the House and he hoped that the gentle
would withdraw and offer simple resolution providing
for the investigation which doubt would be adopted by the
House. He expressed the highest confidence in the integrity
and honor Of the Commissioner Of Indian Affairs and thought
the gentleman from North Carolina would find that he had
been msnfomed He dissentcd from what he considered
the result Of the position taken by Mr. WOODWARD, viz that
the House had the exclusive right make charges against
whomsoeve they fit 10 direct them and that they who
were thus charged had right repel and cast them back
lie thought that the practice Of members OF this House
themselves in their constant denunciaons OF the Executive
and his officers and in bringing forward the gavcst charges
might rather be traced the retos which provoked than
to any disposition which the Executive department have
TO encroach the rights Of Congress He referred TO the
If