The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1850-04-26
CONGREssIONAL.
By Telegraph for As Daily Laaeast.r Gazette


By TsiegroPh for hs Daily Laneastsr Gazette
wAsHISoToS. April 22, 1850.
HousE-Mr. Richardson asked consent TO in
troduee resolutions asking the appointment Of
COMMITTEES to inquhe into the allowances OF mon.
ey by the Secretary Of the Interior. for claims,
liter the books were closed.
Mr.. Gentry had no objections 10 the INQUIRY.
but wished call made upon the Secretary To
slate particulars, and not appoint committee
Mr., Gentry sent to the chair modification of
the resolutions which was read The Speaker
said that the notifications could not be entertain-
ed except by the unanimous consent Of the House.
Mi. Richardson said that he could no. accept
the modification
MIR, Meade thought the course suggssted bv
Mr. Gentry u be the proper one. Mr.. Richard
sot's resolutions assumed guilt upon the part Of
the Setfetatyl
Mr., Richardson said he did not know WHISTLER
reports were true or not. He did not think the
resolutions were violation Of courtesy. The
object of COMMITTEES Of inquiry was 10 find out
whetbef the subjects mentioned were true or hot
If the Secretary was not guilty the Inquiry
would do no harm: g
Mr. Gentry replied The gentleman makes no
charges. There is no responsible or respectable
accuser. should inquiry be made on the ground
Of mere rumor and surmsei When tho Secrs.
tary responds to the resolutions Of the Hotse, ii
would be competent for this body TO say whether
he is guilty Of msdemeanor and any member
can then move committee of invesigation.-
Until the charge be made the Secretary stands
accused of no crime He did not wish to be un-
derstood that he or his friends wished to shrink
from an investigation but the question is, shall
we investigate for the public good or shall we
make the newspaper rumoB instruments to
backen the character OF our public officers. We
should pertorm our duty in such manner as to
cOmport with propriety.
Mr.. Richardson remarked that, unless he was
greatly deceived, every charge in his resolutions
would be established in truth, which no man
could controvert or deny This Information he
derived from responsible source-he said he
understood from gentleman who informed him
of the lacts that il committee were ruiSed, he
would support the charges BY testimony from the
records. Mr. Ewing would have an opportunity
to come forward and defend himself.
Nh Gentry replied that the resolutions assumed
: crimiuality There were no charges mnde.
Mr.. Richardson said that the resolutions did
: not assume criminality. The select committee
were directed merely to inquire into the Partcn'
lars of the facts. 1t was for Mr.. Ewing to show
irhe made the payments. the reason for his con-
: duct.
Mr.. Vintoh was desirous Of an investigation
but he was quite sure that the course designated
}. by Mr.. Richardson was without precedent in
the history OF the House. There was no respon
i sible accuser or iniormer. Will tho gen tleman
himself come forward, put the charges in proper
form and ask an investigationl
l. Mr.. Stanton, Of Tenn, thought the resolutions
ought to be adopted
! Mr. Toombs alluded to the nsuficiency Of ru
y mors as foundation for such charges He said the
press was great national common sewer OF do
Iamation and iasehood. He was not afraid to
. say this OF their hireling scribblers everywhere
Mr.. Richardson said he had information from
other sources
. Mr. Tombs desired the persons in possession o
70 the iuctS to send memorial asking for un investi
- CATION.
Mr. McClernand remarked that his col,egu
: had received information from those who teer
entitled to belief
" After considerable discussion on various amend
menls, Mr. Richardson's resolutions OF inquir
: were adopted-Yeas 95. Nays 73 The Hous
adjourned after session of hours.