The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-01
The Power or Congress.

10 IN me HOUSE OF representatives. Wnen ne
first assaed u.s. some weeks since, we gave our opinion
OF this honorable gentleman, and have nothing to
add to and nothing to subtract from what then de-
cared. We might say much more, but forbear. This
gentleman is sufficiently punished by the position to
which he has been reduced. We dismiss MIR. Evans,
therefore. TO the criticism of Dr. Fitch, with the
sincere hope that the medicine which he has prescribed
however bitter i, may be- may contribute to improve his
manners and beralize his character We quote from
the Washington Globe of yesterday morning the debate
of Thursday last in the House OF Representatives; in
which our readers will find what was said by Mr..
Fitch, and what passed between Mr. Evans and himself
But there is aspect Of the case which should be
presented to the public, because it is matter OF vital i'm
portance affecting the powers of the and the
Liberties Of the citizen We will rehearse and thereby
weaken the able remarks Of Mr.. Meade, of Virginia,
and Evans nstgated by party vndc,veness and wounded
vanity, endeavoring to destroy
We will admit that Congress has its powers but the
citizen has also his privileges and we hold that Congress
rghtfuy inquire into the private affairs Of indi.
viduals-eher Of the editors of newspapers of other
persons When citizen becomes connected with the
press he loses Of the rights of citizen, does he
gain any prerogative in addition to them II he pub
fishes libel, matter from whose pen emanated, he
is responsible in court of law; and Of law
| cannot force him to disclose his correspondence
We take the broad ground tina, Congress vested only
with certain specified powers. and that i, may rghtiuy
appoint committees for the purpose Of nqurng facts
necessary and proper to enable exercise its powers
and discharge its duties But further than that requsi
ton go without violating the constitution and
yrannizing the citizen. Mr. Stanly. chairman OF
committee, questioned TO the authors of certain
articles in the Union We declined, in the respect
full manner, giving him the information which he sought
because Congress had right to institute such inquiry
and had right to beray the confidence which had
been reposed in US, and disposition to abandon the
privileges OF an American citizen. And ask,
what clause OF the constitution empowers Congress de-
mand the information which refused to give' Is that
information in any connected with the duties OF
Congress the business Of legislation
The idea that congressional committee may do what
ever il peases and that the rights Of the citizen must
give way to the imaginary and underlined prerogaives Of
Congress, seems 10 be gaining ground We have in
tended for long time TO call the public attention to the
formidable powers which exercised by
committees Hitherto we have withheld our remarks
touching this subject, until committee appointed to in
vesgate the in which the public printing is
cuted had made report We did not wish to become LA
BILE the suspicion OF being stimulated by private
while discussing matters OF public concern. But we will
say that when the proper time arrives win call
the attention OF the people directly this subject
when will show that at least congressional
mtee in existence operating too much in the spirit
OF chamber council, and that, day after day. il
gagged In investigating the in which contrac, in
volvng thousands has been executed while refuses 10
allow the persons whose interests and whose character
involved to be present. either in person by counsel
when witnesses are examined We are satisfied that the
committee itself does view this matter seriously
do-tha lis members actua,ed by vindicve or
oppressive spirit but yet II is fact that things per
mted TO be done, spirit OF espionage, for which
few, if any, precedents be found in the annals
OF Congress. Gentlemen of the highest honor have
been assailed by questions touching their pri-
vate relations towards the editor OF this paper They
have been asked whether they have been invited his
house, whether they have paraken of his hospitality,
and whether they have been aocosed by him in relation
to the public PRINTING! species OF Paul-Pry investga
ton, which, after all, brought out, understand,
no fact which implicated his character conduct And
all this time, whilst garbed evidence has been CLEANED
together, and extracts still garbled have been scat
tered about and false prepossessons created in the public
mind has the editor Of this paper asked to be present
by himself counsel, to crossqueson witnesses and
explain their testimony by witnesses OF his own and ye,
be has been refused the privilege Of being confronted
with his in the person Of the Of the nves
tgation and the chairman OF the committee
But to return TO the matter at issue. We have re-
fused, and shall continue to refuse make known the
confidential affairs OF our business We repeat that
Congress has shadow of right TO institute such
vestgation II never, il seems entered Mir Evanss wise
brain that question Of congressional power in.
voved in this matter He found out by some that
in court OF usce witness may in either Of three spe
cited refuse to questions which are put to
him. Then he argues that, inasmuch a. the questions
pa, to by Mr. Sany do not fall within either Of those
eases, be righully required to answer sspeu,
conclusion, truly Did to the honorable Mr.
Evans that bis three instances all based upon the
sumption that the has the right inquire into the mat,
ter about which the witness is questioned Did u never
occur to him that the subject of dispute between John
and Richard Roe must be first stated and that the ques
ton OF jurisdiction must then be first decided before any
witness can be examnedi Did it occur TO him that
before any witness can be heard distinct issue must be
presented which can be decided by investigation OF
facts within the cosnzance OF the COURT Did i never
occur to him that parties might attempt TO prove what
they had no right to prove and that the court must then
ecde whether qnHaton sbould be 10 the witness