Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-04-29

MIR Richardson said he did not know Il
whether the reports were true or not, lie
could not see tie terms of his resolutions
violated. The very object of the commit
lee is to enquire whether the subjects men,
toned be true or not If the Secretary
be not guilty, the enquiry will do no harm.
Mr. Gentry replied. He suid the gen.
lleman from Illinois makes no CHARGE;
then there IS no responsible or respectable
accuser The enquiry is to be made on
the ground of mere premise and surmise. :
When the Secretary responds it will bea
competent for the House 10 Judge. If it :.
be judged that he is guilty of misdemeanor,
any. member can move for a committeesofs
investigation. Until the charges be made,
the Secretary stands accused of no crime.
He did not wish to be understood that he
or his friends would shrink from an inves-
tigaton. The question, "sha,l we investi-
gnLe for public good, or shall we make ru-
mofs in newspapers instruments to blacken
the characters of public officers" we should
will compor! with rropriety. -e.t s.'
Mr.. Richardson remarked that unless he
was greatly deceived, every charge in the
Resolutions would be established by proof
which no man can controvert. His infor-.
nation was received from n responsible
source. He had understood from gentle
menwho in formed him of the facts, that
they, if the comnitteesbe raised, will SUP
port the charges by testimony from record.
Mr. Ewing would then have an opportuni-
ty OF coming forward ind defending him
self.
Mr. Gentry replied. The resolution
preferred no criminaliiy, when no charge
had been made.
not assume crininality. The Select Con-
mittee was directed TO enquire into parlIc-
ular facts, and it was for Ewing to she",
il true, the reasons for his conduct. .'
MIR Vinton was desifous of-an inves'l-
CATION, but was quite sure the course ot /,
Richardson was without precedent in the
history of the House. There was no res.
ponsibie accuser. Let the infurmers of
the gentleman, or the gentleman himself,
come forward and pu, the charges In prop
er form and ask for IN investigation. ~
Mr. Stanton, of Tenn, SAID that it seemed
to him that the Resolution ought to be
adopted. .t
MIR Toombs alluded to the insuficiency
of rumors for such charges, and said ,llnt
the press was great national comm"n
Ise ner of defamation and falsehood, as Que
man Of the country, he was not afraid 10
say it, there were hireiiDg seribblers every
where. - 70 ae ....a. $500.
MIR Richardson said he had information,
from other sources. ..#
MIR Toombs desired that The person in
possession of the fucts should, from his
seat, or in the form Of o memorial, ask Tor
an investigation. % &
Mr. McC lernand remarked that his col
league had received his information from
+, those who were entitled TO belief. @
MIR Richardson said his object was 10
bring these very persons before the conn.,
mittee, and this was the object he had i'll
: view.
Mr. Toombs-Let your informant pre-
fer charges and stand forth. He is liz
beler if he does not prove them to be true.
= After considerable discussion on various
, amendments to Mr.. Richardson's resolu-
lion Of enquiry, it was adopted, yeas 95,
nays 73. -
The House then adjourned after sess.
ion of FIVE hours. -
SENATE-After the transaction Of the
usual mernlng business, Mr. Benton moved
: to take up his motion 10 instruct the Select
= Committee of thirteen on Clay and Bells
resolutions, TO report separately on eech
subject involved, and not 10 unite in one
bill two or more mcongruous subjects.
Mr. Clay objected TO the consideration Of
: the motion, in the absence OF the commit
tee Of six who left the city this morning
with the remains of MIR Calhoun, and who
3 went away under the impression that the
' Senate would transact no important busi-
/, ness during their absence. The majority,
: said Mr.. c., had already determined, by a
!, decisive vote, to give the committee any
instructions, general or special, but, in the
3 absence Of 80 many Senators, whose places
P were vacant this morning, he could not say
d that the actua! majority Of this body was
@ now represented.
Mr. Benton asked no vote, but simply
b desired that the vote should come up for
i discussion. ss
d Mr. Clay suggested that the appropriate
t time to argue The question Of uniling two
or more subjects in one bill, would arrive
: after the committee had made their report,
joining two or more incongruous subjects.
: If, however, the Senate desired not to vote
!, at present, but simply to make speeches.
he had no objections. -a.ar
The Senate then proceeded to the con-
siderdtion af Mr. Benton's motion.
Mr. Benton read several extracts from
/. English works Oh parliamentary law, to
! show that the course taken on referring
t the California Bill to the Select Commit-
: tee,, and the uniting by slidkCommittee Of
, two or more subjects, in the act, if it should
, be done, is violution of all the correct
parliamentary practices. So
Having got through with his citation.
, Mr.. Benton proceeded with some remarks
upon the general subject. The reference
Of California to a committee known to be
, against her. was violation Of that great
principle Of parliamentary law which re-
fers all sublectsto committee supposed to
be in favor Of it. srsa@ is
He defended the course which he had
. taken in the Senate in opposition to the &C.
ton Of the Bill, and reference to the Select
Committee OF so many subjects. He re-.