The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-09-26
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
SENATE.
wEpsEsDAy, September a5, 1850

SENATE.
MIR. PRATT presented the petition ofcertain cit
ixens of Maryland, praying that SO much OF the
Columbia Turnpike road as hes withih the DiStrict
NAV be made free OF tolls
MRS A. NJ. DApE
MIR MORTON moved, and the Senate proceeded
TO the consideration Of the bill for the relief OF Mira
A. NJ. Dade, widow Of the late Major F. l.. Dade,
of the U. s. army; and the same was considered,
and then read third time, and passed
MRs. +. p. GARDINER.
Mr. SMITH moved and the Senate proceeded 10 |
the consideration of the bill for the relief of Mrs
=. Gardner, and the bill was read third time and
passed
CHARLES STEWART.
Mr. WHITCOMB moved, and the Senate pro-
oeeded 10 the consideration of the bill from the
House for the relief of Charles Stewart; and the
same was passed
OFFICERS OF THE SENATE.
Mr.. SHIELDS submitted resolution authorizing
the Sergeant at arms of the Senate TO continue the
hands IN the folding room, and the mail and docu
ment wagons during the recess And the same
referred to the Committee on the Contingent
Expenses OF the Senate.
PENSIONS TO DISABLED OFFICERS SOLDIERS
Mr.. JONES moved, and the Senate proceeded TO
the consideration OF the bill to regulate the pen
sions of officers soldiers, seamen, and marines who
have been may hereafter be disabled while in the
service OF the United States
The bill amended in several small pGrtcu-
lars.
Mr. HUNTER moved to strike out the following
section:
SEC. A. ind be il further enacted That the terms
sloss in battle Of limb limbs, used in this act,
shall be construed TO mean such injury to a limb
or limbs shall deprive the person of the of
such limb or limbs to the degree OF total dis
ability.
This motion was debated, and the question being
taken thereon, the motion was agreed to-yeas %,
nays 20-as follows:
Butler, Chase, Clarke, Clay, Davis OF Mississippi,
Dawson Dickinson, Dodge of Wisconsin, Downs,
Foote, Greene, Gwin, Hamlin, Hunter, King,
Mason, Norris, Pearce, Pratt, Sebastian, Soule,
Spruanoe, Underwood, Whtcomb, and Yuee-2s.
NAYS.-Messrs. Badger, Baldwin, Bell, Cass,
Cooper, Dayton, Ewing, Fremont, Houston, Jones,
Turney, Wales, Walker, and Winthrop-20.
The bill was then reported TO the Senate, and the
amendments were concurred in, and then the bill
passed.
The resolution authorizing the Committee of
Claims to continue their clerk during the recess,
was taken up, debated, and then rejected.
THE roaTIFIcATIoS
passed by the House, taken up and referred to
the Committee on Finance.
THE GALPHIs AFFAIR.
The Joint resolution from the House to authorize
the President OF the United States TO cause suit to
be brought against George w. Crawford late Sec
rotary of War taken up, and read.
Mr.. BADGER said that he hoped the resolution
be referred Mr. Crawford asked for this suit
and il should be allowed him.
Mr.. BUTLER said that he hoped the joint reso
luton would not be referred
Mr.. DAWSON moved that the bill be referred
TO the Committee the Judiciary.
And the question being taken, the motion was
not agreed 20.
Mr.. TURNEY said that he was opposed to the
passage of this bill. II WAS we'll known that Mr..
Crawford was not the agent of the parties for whose
benefit this money was paid; he was the attorney
merely of the agent of the estate, and received
only fee for his services attorney, which had
been agreed upon. The Government could not E.
cover from the attorney. The agent of the Gal
phins was the proper person 10 be sued 10 recover
the money. Again, il well known that the
courts would not investigate the validity of an al
lowance by the officers of the Treasury; and they
would decide that the action of the proper account
ing officers of the Treasury conclusive upon
the matter This suit then could not result in a
decision upon the merits Of the subject. He con-
sidered IT nothing more than mode Of whitewash-
ing the conduct Of the late Secretary Of War.
Nj EWING said that be supposed the Senator
from Tennessee mistaken IN the facts OF the
TEls ECt could be sustained against Mr.
trEEiord u y we're admitted that be received any
par q he rn0Dey, and proyi6ed that be does not
r4sAe ttlzs be Actec merely as attorney. Mr.
Ca s55r5 n "a lettsr The House Of Representa-
5sctElct pea Olber oostacls 70 The prosecution
q -.1ls Eu1l j. Wa evident, then, that Mr.. CraE-
hAo 5aa5cstes; f9y Il be shosld DO 60 be would be
1lsJo-1Tss ul.n- Or, IL cher point, that the
ss--eule-.t Enc Allowance Il tEis payment ~ the
zoogzrt.-g o5cers q the treasury would be plead
e, bs tny1gts The senator equally mistaken.
The only plea which Mr. Cravford would make
would - that the payment Of the money sas made
according 70 law. The case would be tired upon
pesdIngs Of THIS sort, and there could Be no sucl
thing whitley ashing the conduct Of tie party
On the contrary II there bad been any blackbailinl
by committees, or in other ways, tina suit woulC
determine the justice or justice Of all concerned
Mr.. BUTLER Of the opinion that the couru
Of the United States should not be made arbitrator il
cases where gentlemen connected with the Execu
tive branch OF the Government think their homo
Iaah .sr futn MIR Grau ford wat he sytl
not interpOse any technical plea 10 defeat this suit
and be Mr.. y Of opinion that the declaration
of Mr.. Crawford would be adhered 10; nc knew
Mr.. c. TO be man Of honor, and bic word was suf
hcient But while IL was certain no such plea woul
be interposcd by MIR. Crawford. there was a posi-
bility that If he should die and his Executor sum
moned, the pleas might be entered. The ex
ecutor would not be barred by the course pursus
by Mr. Crawford, but would be at liberty TO put il
any plea. But he was opposed 10 any bill whicl
made the United States courts arbitrators IN such
case; Il was never contemplated that they shout,
D placed in such position.
Mr.. DAWSON said that he regretted that tn
Senator from Tennessee should have shown sucl
feeling on this subject. Before gentlemen spoke o
any design to whitewash the character Of Georg
W. Crawford, they should inquire and know wha
that character was. As a friend Of Mr. Crawford
nc desired TO know what part OF bis conduct II
this or any other Transaction Of his life require,
WITHDRAWING. What act deed Of his life re
quired withdrawing, even BY the Supreme Court
He would like gentlemen, before they denounce
Mr.. Crawford 20 point out the instance or the &C
in the conduct Of Mr.. Crawford, either AZ a man a
public officer or a. politician, which requires
10 be whifewasbed to hide up the niamy and dis
grace which was imputed 10 him.
Mr.. TURNEY said that he had not imputed an,
thing 60 Mr.. Crawford. lie judged Of him by hi
acts. In bis communication 20 tho House o
Representatives, Mr.. Crawford seems to admit tina
there Ia n charge hanging over him. In hia frs
communication 10 the House, he demanded an in
vesiigation into his conduct. That investigation
was had, and the result unfavorsble 10 him
and then 20 cover up that which had been the re
suit OF HE own movement, he asked Congress 4
cause this suit 70 be brought II being impossibi
that tins suit can result in full and thorough er
animation and Judgment upon his conduct but DC
ing sure 70 go OIL on some plea favorable 70 Mr.
crawford, Is nothing more than withdrawing.
Mr.. DAWSON asked what part Of the proceed
jngB OF the House had condemned Mr.. Crawford,
MIR. TURNEY said that those proceedings uoul
speak for themselves.
Mr. DAWSON said that be could find notbin
in the proceedings Of the House which condemnc
the conduct Of Mr.. Crawford in this transac tor
On the contrary, II appeared in the evidence tbs
Mr.. Crawford's action in the matter was sustaine