Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-04-26

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"usurped power he would substitute the word exsrcised
in the branch relative appointments in the Pension and
Land olces and instead of inqurns what persons cor
respond for newspapers let read whehcr any person OF
persons ars so employed.
| Mr. Richardson accepted the notifications
Mr. Vnton matter of course would desire a INC
connected with the transaction be before the House
but ne was quits that the OF the gentleman from
limos was without precedent in the House In all lns,an
ceS nere nus either been memorial stating acs or Vs
Der rising In his place and making himself Responsible oI
the charges If the proposed be adopted II ""
become president for the future and public oihcers may
be harasscd in the absence of charge If somebody has
told the gentleman from Illinois. let that somebody come Tor
ward and ask for an investigation.
Mr. Stanton of Tennessee had difficulty in deciding
upon his course seemed to him certainly sufficient for
investigation when member in his place and pre-
srrod charges against high officer of the which
he believed true Although the gentleman discaims any
personal knowledge would envy him his position, If
they turned out to DO untrue.
MIR. Baker asked the gentleman what he inferred.
Mr.. Stanton inferred nothing and he asked why was
that the organ of the Administration down MIR
racer Why such excitement produced in the organ
and in the nnds OF gentlemen if there nothing deroa
tho Secretary in the acts vouehed for in the gentle
nuns resolutions lie MIR. 81 knew nothing Of the facts
He disposed to suspect ths Secretary of thing
wrong In his Judgment the character OF the Secretary
himself and the sense OF justice of his friends required the
Republic Of Saturday stating that there direct cha
slge TO Mr.. Richardson to press the resolution
Mr. Toombs referred to the charges against the Secretary
srs promulgated in the newspaper press whish be con.
sidorsd great national common of defana on and
alsehood and one of the country hs not afraid
it, The press had its hirong scriblsrs every where
Mr.. Richardson said that he heard Of the facts from
others
Mr. Toonbs then remarked: Let tlsm send memorial TO
the House asking for an investigation
Mr. McClenand observed thar his colleague had received
his knowledge OF :he facts from those who believed the in
formation To bs true.
Mr. Richardson said that his object was bring those
very persons before the committee.
Ir Toombs resumed, and concluded his remarks pro-
testing against ths resolution.
Mr. said that Whjps had nlals charpes
corruption against the Democrats standing theme. He
believed that Mr Ewing guilty of usurnaon in a2-
pointing clerks in the Pension and Land Offices without
authority Of Law. Ii there nothing n Denmark
why Go gentlemen oppose investigation An innocent man,
seemed him, would AJAX for It, If r Ewing is inno
cent he will have four good friends on the committee III
| guilty he ought 10 be exposed.
Mr. Baker said he had be particularly friendly
the Administration, considering what they had done to
his own State, llnosl So far tho last branch Of the
resolution concerned il ought pass being fair sub
lec public inquiry. He had condemned on the stump,
the employment of letterwrters in the Departments and
| would do il here.
he then gave his why he would support the
resolutions the most prominent of which was that there was
| no respectable accussr but more idle rumor.
Mr Gentry 10y permission Of Mr.. Baker, said that il the
majority of tho House believed that the which he
proposed the proper one, they could vote down Mt
Richardson's resolution and then take his He had merely
changed the terms OF the inquiry.
Mr. Richardson understood 10 say that there was a
wide difference between the two
Mr. Gentry desired say that the object was in nowise
changed What he con,snded for was that the Secretary
should report the law and authority for his action
Mr. Evans of Maryland (M Baker yieldngl said lot the
gentleman Ir Richardson) himself out and make the
charge. member of this House. somebody else should
This other day the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr Brown
drew up charges against officer of this House Let the
gentleman initiate the example He then oftarsd the follow
ing amendment, VIZ:
BY Collins and Nsmos and into oil othor deacacns hat
place under the administration of Mr. Polk and TINT SAID
committee for the purpose OF asceranng The ana
of said address 10 the heads OF the seSe
raj Departments particular inquiries with regard thereto and
particularly respecting knowledge by the ae admlns
raon or the heads Of any OF the Departments hsrso
corning said defacaons any Of thom And whether any
newspapers held Office under the late adHnlstr
on and for what papers they wrote and the names Of
said WRITER'S and also that the committee inquire whether the
late administration head of Department thereof
opened or paid any claim that had been rejected by previous
and whether said late administration, or
any officer thereof has allowed paid interest any cla
and whom and the amour, thcrsof and that thoy
inquire into the Of all persons having interest in
said claim. -
And further That the committee inquire whether any Off
GERS Of the late administration in The Post Office or other
Department were engaged in making eectioneerg speech
about the country while receiving pay from The Govern
ment whether any officers of the Government were en-
gagged political writer's heads of political clubs for tho
purpose Of influencing the elections.
And further That said committee inquire into any and all
frauds generally committed BY officers Of the late admins
tration.
resolution after his (Ar. Rs) passed. the opposition
should not come rorn the Democratic side o. the House
The Speaker .aid the amendment was not in order as it
was not relevant the resolution under consideration.
Mr. Staniy wish to offer amendment
aIr Carter / ask whether the gentleman from Illinois
can claim the oo and give way as he chooses 10 others
The Speaker. member holding the floor only yield
for explanation
Mr.. Baker. That's all / did.
Tho Speaker understood say that member could
give way for another TO offer amendment.
Mr. Garter. / understood that the gentleman yielded the
The Speaker The gentleman yielded the floor for the
amendment 10 be offered. -
Mr Evans appealed from the decision of the Chair decla
ing his amendment TO be out of order.
The Speaker again stated the grounds OF his oecls!on
Mr. Evans called for the reading Of the original resolution
and had his own amendment read in connexion.
Mr.. Burt desming the subject of sufficient importance,
asked fox the and nays the question: Shall the decl-
sion Of the Chair stand the Judgment of the House
The yeas and nays were ordered.
After conversation between members and the Spea-
ke Mr. Evans withdrew his appeal from the decision OF the
Chair
The Speaker said that when member the floor and
Yields tor another ii only 10 have amendment read
and il could be entertained only by unanimous consent
Mr. Staulys proposed amendment was read ms follows
Also what persons holding office under the last admins
ration as clerks any of the public Offices auditors heads
bureaus commissioners Of patents or assistant posmas
general correspondents OF newspapers wrote or
or edited newspapers their salaries and compensation Tor
the same and who in particular the author OF certain
party essays signed Bundecund and what office he then
held and also whether during the last canvass for the Pre-
encv apy of the above named officers absented themselves
from their Offices and official duties make speeches and
public addresses against the election OF General Taylor Al
.o whether the above named officers, or any of them d-
r nav money for clectoneeng fund against Gen Taylor,
| md a, whose instance this was done"
The amendment received with cries Of "Good" and
laughter on the part Of some of the members.
Mr. Dunharn proposed amend by inquiring 'Whether
any members OF this House have been absent from their
seats making stump speeches in Connecticut preceding the
election In that STATE ana what mas Deem the eec VI
those speeches."
This also gave occasion for laughter.
Mr. Gentry said it gross personality, and ought not
| TO be entertained by the House.
When order was restored =,
M Baker returned his profound Acknowledgements for tho
appropriate and witty amendment OF the gentleman from In
dana and he did this with the more pleasure because 1t was
never proved by any Of his friends that the gentleman ever
did so witty thing before to-day Laughter he then
his opposition TO the resolution which, ne repeated
contained no charge the authority OF responsible man.
If this mode proceeding TO be encouraged there was
not gentleman in the House but who might become sub
cc perpetual annoyance from grievance political private
or official Hc thought it proper 10 say that the Ewngs
in the resolution have no coDnexion with The
Secretary of the Interior He would offer the amendment
f the gentleman from North Carolina o1r Stanly0 fhis
colleague would give the of person. make charge
er Sc which presents probable corruption he would
| vote for the resolution.
The Speaker raed the amendment of ORDER because il
referred TO matter other and different from that in the reso
Hutton of the gentleman from Illinois (Mr Richardson