The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-23

reports in relation TO Mr.. Ewing true or not;
| we hear Of them every day. He did not know whe-
Their his resolution violated any rule Of courtesy.
The official organ Of the President and OF the Cab-
net had declared that he would not press the resou
ton IN the shape that II was trst presented The
very object Of raising the committee is 70 inquire
whether the charges are true or not. II he had as
| sumed that the statements Of the resolution are
true, he should have proposed different Of
| action. He should have asked the House OF Repre-
sentatves TO prefer articles Of impeachment Ii the
committee inquire and ascertain that the Secretary
did not do the things charged, mo harm will ensue
MIR. GENTRY asked whether the remarks which
the gentleman had just made did not call for the
course which he (Mr. CD proposed The gentle
man said that he made no charges, none whatever;
and he was no respectable or responsible accuser
The gentleman proposed the committee OF inquiry
on the ground of rumor, or surmise, which had
found its way into the newspapers, charging NAL
feasance and the existence Of high crimes, which,
if true, ought to invoke the power OF impeachment
What evil could result from his (Mr. G's) course5
Mr. Ewing is asked to report all the facts He re-
spends. II would then be competent Tor the House
judge whether the answer is satisfactory or not
He win state the law under which he acted. If
guilty Of malfeasancc amy member can conceive
that there is guilt committee OF investigation can
be moved. Until the gentleman from Illinois. or
other, pledges himself to sustain the charges,
the resolution should not be adopted and until this
is done, there is no crime. The House owed 1t to
themselves and to the Secretary of the Interior, to
pursue the course which he (Mr. c. had sug-
gested He desired to say TO the gentleman from
Illinois that he had tried to introduce his (Mr Gs)
resolution, as independent proposition. He did
not wish to be understood that he and his friends
shrunk from investigation. He had no converse
ton with the Secretary of the Interior on the sub
ject fany thing should be elected TO give color
ing to condemnation, he would, with every other
man, hold the Executive to rigid and strict re-
sponsibility. Every gentleman on his 1.-THE Whig)
side Of the House would in this 60 with him. The
House should shape their conduct as TO conport
with their rights and dignity. Shall gentlemen in
vestigate for the public good, or como down from
their high position and make the rumors in news
papers the means to blacken private and official
character? He hoped that the House would not de-
scend to matters like this. They must perform
their duties in such way as will comport with pro-
priety.
Mr. RICHARDSON would tell the House and the
gentleman, that, unless he was greatly deceived
the charges put forth in the resolution will be sup
ported by proof which no man can controvert and
deny. His information was derived from RESPONSE
bic gentlemen, who If they are summoned before
committee, will support it by testimony which is
on record Mr. Ewing will have an opportunity to
come forward and defend himself
MIR. McLANE inquired of Mr.. GENTRY whether
the statement of Mr.. RICHARDSON did not require
the House to relieve itself of all responsibility and
whether all objections ought not now to be with
drawn.
Mr.. GENTRY was understood to say that the
matters referred TO involved intricate questions of
law. The resolution assumed criminality, when
the decisions of the Secretary's predecessors may
MIR. RICHARDSON denied that the resolution
assumed criminality. II proposed committee to
inquire into particular facts; and it was for Mr..
| Ewing to show, if any thing was wrong, why he
did it. And he would tell gentlemen here, to-day,
that if they meant TO give this subecta fair inquiry
and it should turn out to be true that Mr.. Ewing
did no wrong, no harm would result; but if, on the
contrary, the charges are true and he cannot show
good motives, he, (Mr. r. y as Representative,
would feel that he did not discharge his duty unless
he brought the Secretary TO trial
Mr.. MEADE suggested notifications to Mr..
en,c,S nlttftn ftfrrfa
| whether Mr.. Ewing "usurped" power, he would
substitute the word exercised - in the branch
lative to appointments in the Pension and Land
offices; and instead of inquiring "what persons
correspond for newspapers, let It read, ''whether
any person or persons" are 30 employed.
Mr.. RICHARDSON accepted the notifications.
Mr.. VINTON, as a matter of course, would de-
sire all the facts connected with the transaction to
be before the House, but he quite that the
| course Of the gentleman from Illinois was without
precedent in the House. In all instances, there has
either been memorial stating facts, a member
rising in his place and making himself responsible
| for the charges. If the course now proposed be
adopted, il will become precedent for the future
and public officers may be harassed in the absence
of charge. II somebody has told the gentleman
from Illinois, let that somebody come forward and
ask for investigation.
Mr.. STANTON, of Tennessee, had no difficulty
in deciding upon his course Il seemed TO him GER
tainiy sufficient for investigation, when mem
Der in his place and preferred charges against
high officer of the Government which he believed
| to be true. Although the gentleman disclaims any
personal knowledge, no one would envy him his
position, if they turned out TO be untrue.
| Mr.. BAKER asked the gentleman what he in
| ferred.
Mr.. STANTON inferred nothing and he asked
| why was it that the organ Of the Administration
| came down on Mr.. RICHARDSON with charges so
grossly calumnious in their characterl Why was
| such excitement produced in the organ and In the
minds Of gentlemen, ifthere nothing derogato-
~ to the Secretary in the facts vouched for in the
gentleman's resolution He (Nir. So knew nothing
Of the facts. He was not disposed TO suspect the
Secretary Of any thing wrong. In his judgment,
the character OF the Secretary himself, and the
Of justice of his friends, required the passage
Of the resolution. In conclusion, he read from the
direct challenge TO Mr.. RIcHARDsos to press the
Mr.. TOOMBs referred 10 the charges sgainst the
Secretary as first promulgated in the newspaper
press, which he considered great national COM
mon sewer of defamation and falschood, and, as
| one man OF the country, he not afraid 10 say
it. The press had its hirelng scribblers every
where.
Mr.. RICHARDSON said that he heard of the facts
/ from others.
Mr.. TooMBs then remarked: Lot them send
memorial 70 the House asking for investigation
| Mr.. McCLERNAND observed that his colleague
had received bis knowledge Of the facts from those
who believed the information 10 be true.
/ MIR. RICHARDSON said that his object was to
bring those very persons before the committee.
Mr.. TooMBS resumed, and concluded his re-
marks, protest against the resolution.
Mr.. ROBINSON said that the Wings had made
charges OF corruption against the Democrats a
standing theme. He believed that Mr.. Ewing was
| guilty Of usurpation in appointing clerks in the
Pension and Land Offices without authority Of law.
/ IL there nothing rotten in Denmark, why do
| gentlemen oppose investig atom An innocent man,
| 4 seemed 10 him, would ask for IL. If Mr.. Ewing
lie innocent, he will have four good friends on the
| committee. II guilty, he ought 10 be exposed.
| Mr. BAKER said he had reason 10 be particu-
larly friendly 10 the Administration, considering
| what they had done TO his own State, illinois.
So far the last branch Of the resolution
ccrned il ought TO pass, being fair subject Of pub
| lie inquiry. He had condemned, on the stump, the
employment OF letter-wrters in the Departments,
| and would do Il here.
He then gave his reasons why he would not sup
port the resolution; the most prominent Of which
was, that there wss no respectable accuser, but
mere idle rumor.
Mr.. GENTRY (by permission Of Mr.. BAKER)
said that, IL the majority Of the House believed that
the course which he proposed was the proper one
they could vote down Mr.. RcHARDsor's resolu-
ton, and then take his. He had merely changed
the terms Of the inquiry
Mr.. RICHARDSON understood TO say tina,
-. "A. A.