The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-04-16
THE UNION.

decided that as no motion for the reference Of the bill
pending objection TO debate being made, the bill
must continue to lie on the Speakers table
Mr. JONES appealed from this decision
And the question on the appeal being put the decision
On motion Of Mr. THOMAS, the House then resolved
itself into Committee OF the Whole House on the
up the bill for the relief Of Solomon T. Nicol and James
King which having been debated at length by Messrs.
THOMAS, SWEEfSER. SACKETr, EWING, STAN
TON, Of Kentucky and DUNHAM, without coming to
any conclusion thereupon,
On motion. the committee rose and the chairman hav-
ing reported
On motion, II was
R,saiped, That when the House adjourn, il would adj
journ until Monday next
Mr. BURT, from the select committee to investigate
the relation and conduct of George W. Crawford, Sece-
tary OF War; towards the Gaphin claim reported that
the committee OF opinion that the resolution Of the
House restricts their inquiry TO the relation and conduct
of the said George w Crawford towards that claim, and
does not authorize them 10 inquire Watcher there was
anything unusual or improper in allowing interest on the
same; and they ask the instructions Of the House.
The resolution under which the committee was ap
pointed having been read BY the Clerk at his sugges'
ton,
Mr. B. (continuing) went on to add that the committee
desired that the House should distinctly understand that
they had nothing in the course Of the investigation
induce them to ask for enlargement OF their powers
but the committee could not close its what all had
heard, both in and out OF the hall and they desired to
know the extent to which the House intended that the
investigation should be pursued They merely asked in
sructions from the House as to the duties they were
expected to perform. They would not shrink from any
duties devovei on them, but desired that they should be
Mr. MOORE. with view to ascertain the truth Of the
reports in circulation, and as friend OF the present I'D
mnisration, would instructions to the select com
mee; which, having been sent to the Clerks table,
were read as follows:
That the select committee appointed the Sd instant
ing the allowance and payment Of principal and interest
the Gaphn claim, under the act Of August a. 1873 aud
all other facts and circumstances pertinent TO the subject
matter Of inquiry and have leave 10 send Tor persons and
papers"
Mr. CARTIER suggested that the instructions should
direct the committee to ascertain and report whether the
unauthorized payment OF interest had precedent IN the
whole history OF the government.
Mr. SWEETSER had the other day asked the unanl-
nous OF the House for leave to offer two reso
lutons upon this subject He proposed 10 substi-
tute them as instructions Tor the propositions OF the gen.
ileman from Pennsylvania, mir. Moore Having been
sent to the Clerks desk, they read follows,
viz
Rovsd Tha, the Secretary Of the Treasury be request
ed communicate TO this House the amount of money
paid Of the treasury upon the claim
lnoaiy known as the 'Gaphin claim, aud whether The
law and also the several sums, II any, paid Of the
interest other claims under the opinion OF
Resolved That the Committee Of Ways and Means be
instructed inquire into the expedency of suspendng the
beea and al claims
specially provided Tor by law.
Mr. S. (contlnung) remarked that he was will
ing 10 make Change In HTbI 10 meet
the views of the chairman OF the investigating COM
mttee Mr. BURTl to the purpose for which the
mttee mad been raised The payment OF the interest
this claim had startled the country, and il was therefore,
proper that thorough examination into the circum.
stances attending the payment should be made. The
newspapers were ringing in the ears OF the country all
sorts OF statements about many similar payments made
the precedent set in the payment OF the claim for the
Gaphin interest," which involved charges upon other Off
GERS of the government besides the Secretary OF War
on the Attorney General Secretary of the Treasury. &c
Mr.. CASEY inquired whether il was in order 10 pro-
coed in the consideration OF the report OF the special
mittee and into other sube tmatersl
Mr.. SWEE rSER (conlnuingl remarked, that he enter
tanned desire to respass on the time OF the House.
the feelings OF any member. He trusted that wing
member would venture to throw obstacles in the way OF
thorough scrutiny into this case, and the many similar
cases being widely commented on by the press.
II due justice that searching examination should
be had, and the wings, as party would tail to profit by
attempting the vain task OF throwing obstacles in its
way He felt assured that from what was on the
first blush il must be evident TO all that such investigation
as he proposed was Necessary Even Ms Secretary
the affair, through the publications OF the day
concerning it, to have himself the necessity for
rs nSoagh b., As h was os ns
alive he felt 10 be his duty TO insist on thorough
probing into the affair
MIR BURT desired TO remark that he had no pro.
position to submit The committee would be quite
discharge the duties devolved by the House
on it. had he any suggestions TO make concerning
the enlargement OF the sphere OF the duties OF CON.
mttee.
Mr. THOMPSON, OF Mississippi, favored the insruc-
tons proposed by the gentleman from Pennsylvania Mr.
MooRE,J which covered sufficient ground He hoped the
committee would investigate and report all the facts con-
necled with the payment OF this particular claim.
Mr. JOHNSON, OF Arkansas, was of opinion that the
instructions should embrace directions TO the committee TO
inquire into the action OF Congress in connexion with
the Galphin claim.
Mr. BURT trusted that the House would not direct the
committee 10 investigate any matter not Immediately
neced with the particular case To do would be yr
tually 10 deprive the members OF the committee Of their
rights their in the House, at least for the balance
OF the session; 10 extend the examination into other
matters, as proposed by the gentleman from Ohio, Mr.
SwEETsERl-o look into every alleged OF improper
their almost undivided attention for at least the remainder
OF the session.
Mr.. THOMPSON, OF Mississippi. would not object 10
agreeing to the suggestion OF the gentleman from Ohio,
MIR SwEETsER, OF thorough examination into
all the payments OF interests but he could see no
propriety OF connecting any other case with this.
Mr.. SWEErSER Cat the suggestion OF Mr. THoMP-
SON, OF Mississippi having Withdrawn his proposition
10 amend the proposed instructions.
Mr. DUER moved the previous question
The question being put secondlng the call for the
previous question, il was found that no quorum voted
ayes So, noes IS.
Mr. KAUFMAN demanded the yeas and nays upon
that question
Mr.. HALL moved call OF the House
Mr.. HOLMES moved an adjournment; which was not
agreed 10.
The question next being on the motion OF Mr.. HALL,
il was not agreed TO-
The question then again REQUIRED on secondng the call
for the previous question. No quorum voted-ayes 50,
noes 90.
Mr. KAUFMAN moved call OF the House; on which
motion the yeas and nays having been called and ordered