The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-04-23

a committee investigation. II Mr.. Richardson
makes himself responsible for the charges, and
| pledges himself to substantiate them, then there
might be investigations; but, until the charge be
made the Secretary stands accused Of no crimo The
House owes It to i.seli s"d to the Secretary to tax.
wish to be understood that he his friends would
shrink from in vestigaion. He had had no conver-
sation with tho Secretary of the Interior The ques-
ion is shal investigate this matter for the public
good, or shall we make the rumors in newspapers in
truments to backen the character Of public officers
| We should perform duties in such manner as
| will comport with propriety.
deceived every charge would be established by proof
| which no man controvert or deny; his informa-
understood from gentlemen Who informed him Of the
facts that they committee should be raised will
support the charges by testimony from the record.
| forward and defending himself
Mr.. MeLAsr, ldem) Of Nd. asked Mr., Gentry If such
quire to relieve itself from the responsibility, and
show the necessity of appointing the committee.
| Mr.. GENTRY replied that the resolution assumed
| criminslity, when charge had been made
MIR. RICHARDSON said that the resolution did not
na MR.
to show true for his conduct If he cannot show
good motives, as representative he cir Rchardson)
| should feel II his duty to bring him to trial
Mr.. MrAp suggested that Mr.. Richardson, in his
resolution say exercised instead Of usurpedn
power in appointing clerks in the general land Office
and asked whether any clerks correspondents for
newspapers.
| Mr. RucHARpsoS-Certainly
Mr.. yNroS, (whig), of Ohio, desirous Of inves-
tigaton, but he quite that the course Mr.
Richardson without precedent in the history of
the House. There responsible accuser. Let
the informants of the gentleman. the gentleman
himself come forward put the charges in proper FORM
and ask for an investigation.
Mr. STANTON, (dem) of Tenn, said 1t seemed to him
that the resolution ought to be adopted as gentle
man possessing high degree of responsibility had
brought forward charges against high officer Of the
| government which he believed to be true.
Mr. BAxER, (whig), Of I.what do you infer
Mr. STANTON inferred nothing. But why was it that
the remarks Of the organ Of the administration
mencing in Mr. Richardson's resolution, gross
| ly calumnious in their character! Why much
excitement produced in the organ and in the minds
Of whg gentlemen if there was nothing derogatory to
Mr. Ewing in Mr. Richardson's resolutions!
Mr.. Tooans. (whigJ Of Ga. alluded to the insuna-
cheney Of for such charges and said that the
press was great national common sewer ofdefamatons
afraid to say it, Their hreling scribblers every
where.
Mr. Toonns desired that the person in possession of
the facts should from his seat, In the form Of
memorial, move for an investigation.
Mr. McCLERSaNp (dem Of Illinois, remarked that his
colleague had received his information from those who
were entitled to belief
Mr. RrcnARpsos said his object was to bring these
very persons before the committee, and this was the
Mr. TooMBs-Let your informant prefer charges and
stand forth lbeler If he does not them to be
true He contended against the adoption the reso-
lutions in their present form.
Mr.. RomNsos, (dem) Of Ia, said that Mr. Toombs
not beyond the reach Of newspaper articles If
nothing was rotten in Denmark why do gentlemen
oppose investigation If Mr. Ewing shall be found
guilty IL ought to be known.
Mr. BAKER had objection to the branch of the
luton inquirng as to what clerks correspondents
for papers but he opposed to the other part Of 1t
because there nothing set forth criminal fact
Some responsible ought to appear. There
nothing but idle rumor for the investigation.
Mr.. GENTRY said he had merely changed the form of
inquiry ofMr Richardson but tn vt the object In
no way changed what he, (Mr Gentry intended
was that the Secretary shall report the law and
thory for allowing hem oney.
Mr.. Evans, (whig) Of Maryland, said the other day
Secperet Mr. Rehsrsop % do ths sse e them s~S
mitted amendment that the committee further in
g1rs @ into @ the deisss'iSns a e Sps and Ms.mors
tionl Whether any persons under 1t we're writer's for
newspapers Whether claims were re-opened and
allowed! whether any officers then engaged in max
ing oecioneerng speeches. too, were at the head Of
MIR RicHAnpsoS said, If Mr. Evans would move his
amendment as subsequent proposition, he would
The srraKrR decided Mr.. Evans amendment not In
order, being irrelevant
Mr. EvAss appealed from the decision Of the chair
All the propositions before the House read
Mr. BURT (dem.) of s. C., said that the question
Of sufficient importance for yeas and nays, and he
called for them.
They ordered.
The srr,KrR in reply to inquiries again stated the
ground Of his decision. when
Mr EyANs withdrew his appeal.
Mr. sTASroS offered an amendment, 20 inquire what
persons who held Office under the last administration
a. clerks or heads bureaus commissioner Of patents
assistant post master generals were correspondents
Of newpspers or whether any one OF the same Is the
ther any officers were called on to subscribe for cleo
tioneering purposes'
ment whether any mcmbcrs OF this House have been
absent from their seats making stump speeches In Con-
ncctcu preceding the last election In that state and
what has been the effect Of such specchcsi Laugh
| ter ,,.
| ought not to be entertained by the House
! There was much confusion, and the Speaker finally
! restored order.
SIr BaKrH returned his acknowledgements for the
appropriate and witty mendment and he did so with
the more pleasure, because the gentleman had never
gave reasons why should vote against the reolu-
Mr srsSLrr's amendment was merely read for infor-
The sprsrrR ruled out Of order because not perth
nent TO the matter under consideration. .
Mr.. BsYLY, (dem) of Virginia. contended that II
the duty q the House to investigate the charge
II was due 70 Mr. Ewing and TO the character Of the
government. III the Secretary be innocent az Mr..
Bayy thought, IL was the duty Of the committee to
acQuit him.
Mr. Cosp.p, (vbig) of louisiana asked Of what can
the committee scqut the Secretary Does the gentle
say that II was criminal 10 allow claim which
was disallowedb by his predecessor &C.,
Mr. Bsyy replied that the crime depended on
circumstances he did not say that the allowazce
Of claims which had been di-alowed criminal In
one case the Secretary was right
Mr. CoSRAp-What claim was that
Mr. BsrLr-I don't acknowledge the right Of the
gentleman 20 PROFOUND the question. IL he desires
to know for his private information will tell him,
/ II be comes over 90 me
/ MIR Grpp,Nes tfrce soil whig) of Ohio, said a select
committee seemed 90 him suIcrAuous aud he pro-
posed TO refer the matter the Committee Public
I Expenditures.
MIR RrcnARpsoN had no objection to sending the
whole matter 60 that committee, with power to send
for persons and papers
Mr. GIuuI~Os-Certsinly.
Mr. M,CItNSaNp contendcd that the wings, in their
objections technical from beginning TO end He
dd not know that any gentleman the other side
l had charged guilt u.aughter) I do not charge him
with guilt bat want TO know Why gentlemen shrink
| from investigation lie then contended that there
was sufficient ground for the inquiry aud showed that
Mr. Ewing had usurpcd power in appointing clerks In
/ the land and pension Office.
Mr. Ev,Ss. of Maryland, asked for unanimous con
sent that all the subjects 60 the same committee.
MIR RIcnsRpso- would consent 20 no bargains.
Mr. Rsyly-If the gentleman from Maryland wal
move his amendment as separate resolution, We viii
| vote for IA
| committee
Mir BsyLr--If your amendment goes 10 the CON-
mitec they will not be able 90 report this session
/ MIR EvANs thought that the committee could inyesti