The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-26
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

ELEcTIoNEERING UNDER THE LAST ADMINISTRATIONS
Mr. STANLY asked the unanimous consent Of
the House to offer the following resolution, viz:
Resolved That the select committee appointed on
the motion of the gentleman from Illinois, (Mr
RIcHARpsoN,) to inquire and report what persons
in Office by appointment of Thomas Ewing, Secre-
tary of the Interior correspondents OF newspa-
pers, their salaries, and what papers they edit or
write for be also instructed TO inquire and report to
THE House what persons holding Office under the last
administration as clerks in any Of the public Of
fees auditors, heads Of bureaus, commissioners OF
patents, assistant postmasters general, were cor
respondents of newspapers, wrote for or edited
newspapers; their salaries and compensation for
the same and who, in particular, was the author
of certain party essays signed :" Bundlecund,' and
what Office he then held and also whether, during
the last canvass for the Presidency, any Of the
above named officers absented themselves from
their Offices and official duties to make speeches
and public addresses against the election OF Gene
raj Taylor. Also, whether the above named Off
GERS, or any of them, during said canvass, were
called upon or required to subscribe or pay money
for electioneering fund against General Taylor,
and at whose instance this was done.
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Arkansas, objected TO the res
olution.
Mr.. STANLY said the objection comes with good
grace from the party who professed TO be anxious
for investigation. This objection proves that they
are opposed TO a fair investigation.
| Mr.. JOHNSON. II is parcel OF trash
MIR. STANLY. II il was ''trash' il would be
proper material for the consideration Of the gentle
man from Arkansas-suitabe matter for his appre-
citation.
MIR. KAUFMAN inquired If it not the same
resolution TO which the gentleman from Georgia,
(Mr. ToomBs,) had objected.
Mr. STANLY. No; il is not the same.
Mr. WENTWORTH called for the orders Of the
day; and
of the term honorable discharge" in the acts Of
l54s and lS49, granting extra pay and bounties TO
those engaged in the war with Mexico, was taken
up and-by yeas l05, nays 5S-rcferred TO the
Committee Of the Whole on the state OF the Union.
EXPEDITION IN SEARCH OF SIR JOHN FRANKLIN.
! Several reports were made from standing
mittees.
| Mr.. STANTON of Tennessee, from the Com
mittee of Naval Affairs, TO whom had been referred
three memorials on the subject of the expedition in
search of Sir John Franklin said that he was in
structed TO make a report in the form ola joint res
olution.
Objection was made.
Mr. BAYLY moved 10 refer the resolution 10 the
| Committee OF Ways and Means.
| The SPEAKER remarked that il was not yet be-
| fore the House.
IA was then read authorizing and directing the
President of the United States TO accept and attach
70 the navy the two vessels offered by Henry Grin
nell, esq, OF New York, to proceed to the Arctic
sea 10 search for Sir John Franklin and his COM
| panions and 10 detail from the navy such commits
/ sion and warrant officers, and as many seamen as
may be necessary and willing TO engage therein.
The officers and men were to be provided with suit
able rations for a term not exceeding three years,
and have the use Of such necessary instruments az
are now on hand and can be spared from the navy,
TO be accounted for returned by the officers re-
ceiyinR the same. The officers and men, in all
respects TO be under the laws and regulations Of the
navy until their return, when the vessels shall be
delivered TO Mr.. Grinncll.
Mr.. STANTON, of Tennessee, desired TO say one
word. These vessels 10 be placed under the
control Of the laws and regulations Of the navy
and this the principal object Tor which the res
olution was reported. Il important that il
should be passed Immediately, as the vessels would
/ -. (,s. "a
Mr. JONES inquired what amount TO be
paid for the vessels on their return A voice:
g Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars'l
Mr. STANTON replied that nothing was to be
ter of the gentleman who projected the expedition,
and the circumstances under which the proposition
was made TO the government, would certainly con-
vince every liberal minded man that nothing of
this kind was contemplated He had no objection
| 10 an amendment 10 prevent payment Tor the vos-
sells. The only expenses TO be incurred py The
| government, IL any at all, Will be TO furnish
| thirty seamen and few officers OF the navy, who
have volunteered to go upon the service. IL would
add nothing 10 the appropriations and the number
| of men of the navy. Il would merely take very
small portion Of the naval force, which was not ne
ccssary for any purpose. He Thought that there
could scarcely be any serious objection 10 the reso
luton.
Mr.. BAYLY said that il VIC TO embark in a
wild goose chase, let do IL in proper way. Let
send out naval vessels, and not mix up ourselves
with this private enterprise. He moved TO lay the
| resolution upon the table.
! Mr.. BROOKS asked tho gentleman TO withdraw
the motion for a moment I'No,' "no.'1
! Mr.. BAYLY said that his friends insisted on his
holding on to the motion; and he could not with
| draw Il.
Mr.. STANLY asked for the yeas and nays, which
were ordered; and, being taken, resulted-yeas 10,
nays 80.
So the resolution not laid upon the table.
Mr.. BROOKS rose for the purpose Of making a
few brief observations He said that the application
| obtain q hereafter,
vessels. Gentlemen in New York who had en-
couraged the enterprise want the vessels TO 60 out
under naval discipline; they believe that the two
vessels, in the Arctic seas, cannot well be man
aged under the authority Of merchants as under
that Of the United States II IL for this purpose
alone they ask the protection Of the Government,