The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-10
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

Yesterday, Mr.. JOHNSON, of Arkansas, ask
ed the unanimous consent of the House for per
mission to move to proceed to dispose of tn
business on the Speakers table He remarked
that it must be evident to all that the public ser
vice was seriously suffering from the condition Of
that particular branch OF the business of Congress
There were Senate bills, resolutions, &C., resting
there requiring immediate reference to appropriate
committees, &C.; but
Mr. P KING, of New York, Directing, leave
was not granted.
Mr.. VENABLE asked and obtained the unani
nous consent Of the House to offer resolution
directing the Committee on the District of Column
bia to take measure to have the causes of disease
now existing in and around the Washington Cana
removed.
Mr. w. explained that such was the condition
of that work, as to render it highly probable thai
it would cause the cholera to rage here shortly
unless measures were taken to prevent it.
The said resolution was then read and agreed to
The regular order of business being called for,
1t was announced by the SPEAKER that the
first question in order was on Mr.. BURr's motion
to reconsider the vote of the day before, eng
to his last (3d) resolution, reported from the Com
mittee on the Galphn case, on which that gentle.
man had demanded the previous question; but
Mr. BURT withdrawing that motion,
Mr.. FEATHERSTON renewed it, demanding
the previous question upon it, which being sec
onded by the House, the yeas and nays were or
dered on the motion to reconsider.
Mr.. BRECK gave notice Of his intention, il
case this motion prevailed, to offer an amendment
as follows, viz:
RESOLVED, That so much of the amendment sub
mtted by the gentleman from Mississippi, and al
other proposed amendments touching the conduc,
ofthe Hon. GEORGE w. CRAWFORD, in reference tc
the claim of the representatives of George Galphir
be referred to select committee of -, with in
structions to prepare and report to this House
code of official morality and propriety, embracing
not only heads of Departments, but members OF
Congress, and providing that they shall not bt
engaged in the prosecution OF claims against thu
Government in which they are interested, or 70,
which they are to receive fees or COMPENSATION
either in Congress or in any of the Department.
of the Government-and embracing also anv othe,
officers whose official conduct may be deemed
.expedient TO regulate by law. And that said com
mttee also enquire and report whether there ar,
any abuses in regard TO per diem, miieare, nud
require correction. Prorided, that nothing herein
shall be construed to imply, that in the opinion
of this House there is anything in the facts re
ported by the committee which impugns the per-
sonal or official integrity Of the said Crawford
in relation to the said claim of the representative
Of George Galphin.
Mr.. WILMOT notified the House that in case
the motion to reconsider prevailed, he too designed
offering the following amendment
Resolved, That this House condemns as highly
censurabe and improper, the conduct Of GEORGE
w. CRAwFoRp, Secretary Of War, in prosecuting
as agent, before one of the Departments Of thu
Government, the claim of the heirs of Georgt
Galphin, arising under the treaty Of 1773, with
the Creek and Cherokee Indians, and in which
said Crawford was largely interested. And tina
his effort to shield himself from just responsible
ity, by the publication Of conversation which h
says he had with the President, adds to the in
delicacy and improperly Of his conduct; that THU
House dissents from the opinion OF the Attorney