The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-16

They would be asked who defeated the compromise
bill and admitted California separate measure?
They will tell you who it was. He said that he
instructed to vote against the admission of Califor
MIA, but he interpreted his instructions allowing
him to vote for it part of compromise, and
would vote for 1t as compromise which was not
injurious to the South.
Mr.. HALE moved, and the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
| NAVY
! Mr.. ROBBINS offered the following resolution,
| which agreed to, viz
| Resolved, That the Committee on Naval Affairs
be instructed to inquire into the expediency of CIV
ing to all civil officers of the navy relative
| sumed rank; also the expediency of revising the
| rules and regulations for the government Of the
notifications Of said rules the committee may
think proper and judicious either by bill or other
wise.
ELEcTIoNEERINe DURING THE LAST ApmINIsrRA-
|
| Mr.. STANLY, from the select committee on the
| subject, reported the following resolution, viz:
Resolved, That the select committee appointed on
the 9th of May, 1850, TO inquire what persons held
ing office under the last administration were cor
respondents of newspapers, &C., be authorized to
employ clerk, and have power to send for persons
and papers.
Mr. HIBBARD moved to amend by adding at
the close of the resolution the following, viz
''And that said committee be instructed to in
quire upon the examination of such persons and
papers, and report whether, during the last Pres-
dental canvass, any letter or letters written by
General Taylor were, at any time, in the posses
sion of Abbott Lawrence, OF Massachusetts,, TRu-
MAN SMITH, OF Connecticut, any other person,
to the effect that General Taylor was in favor of
the Wilmot proviso, and, il elected President,
would approve any territorial bill which should be
passed containing said proviso and, if SO, what
were the precise contents of such letter letters,
and whether General Taylor, while holding an
| Office under the Government of the United States,
| WROTE any letters which published in the pub
lie papers, designed having tendency to pro-
mote the election of said Taylor to the Presidency
of the United States; and il SO, what the
tents of said letters"
Mr.. STANLY said he was surprised at such a
motion from the gentleman from New Hampshire.
| The committee were unanimous in concurring in
| this report. The gentleman from New Hampshire
was present, agreeing. This amendment, he
calls 1t, is out of order, and only intended to
barrass the action of the committee. If the gentle
man desires TO investigate the matters referred TO
In his amendment, let him move a select committee,
which will be composed of majority of his party
| friends. object to his sending an inquiry OF that
KIND to committee, majority of which is friendly
to the Administration; and let the result be what
| il may, il will be said il from committee of
Wings This Administration needs such Glenn
ency. Let the gentleman ask a select committee
OF majority OF his friends and then can tell him,
with that committee he can proceed-and tell
him further, we defy him" Lay on, McDuff" Do
your worst, then; " we ask no favors."
This committee, from which the resolution comes,
\ - Composeu OF majority oil w hlgs. object to
their being called on TO take charge Of any accuse
tons against this Administration. We wish them
placed IN the hands Of our opponents.
| Mr. HlBBARD said it was true the gentleman
| was instructed by unanimous vote to report the
| resolution, at least with his (Mr. H.'s) consent
II was not the purpose of the minority TO embarrass
the inquiry; on the contrary, il the wish
heve the gentleman from any impediments. But
| they had a further wish in offering the amend
ment 70 open a somewhat wider field of investiga-
ton. They wish to inquire into other measures,
which the resolution of the gentleman from North
Carolina prevented them from doing. He believed
the amendment was in order. The House had bet
ter make full and thorough investigation, if they
| go into il at all The minority do not wish to be
restricted TO an inquiry as to clerks, the Commits
sioner OF Patents, heads of bureaus, and Assistant
| Postmasters General. The inquiry should be ex-
| tended TO persons holding higher positions He
| was willing 10 waive the advantages which the
gentleman was disposed to give to his political OPP
poncnts, and leave the subject which he had pro-
| posed with a committee composed of majority Of
| the friends Of the Administration, and Of which
| committee the gentleman the able chairman.
| Mr.. BAYLY said that the inquiry seemed TO
have been TO enlighten history TO the author Of
| certain political essays signed "Bundecund," he
thought that il would be more interesting land he
regretted that the gentleman from North Carolina
did not go 20 far) TO extend the inquiry as to the
authorship Of the letters signed by General Taylor
| He opposed TO the resolution. There are but
| two standing committees which have clerks--the
\ Committee Of Claims and the Committee Of Ways
|
mittee on Commerce n clerk The power to send
for persons and papers a delicate one, and ex-
| IRENE caution should be observed in its exercise
| He moved TO lay the resolution upon the table.
The question was taken and decided in the neg.
o Mr.. CAMPBELL, of Ohio, desired to offer an
| amendment 10 the amendment of Mr.. HBBARp
| proposed by that gentleman to Mr.. STAMPS reso-
ThesPEAKER decided the amendment of Mr.
| HIBBARD TO be out of order.
The amendment of Mr.. CAMPBELL was then
/ read for information, follows
And that said committee inquire and report
\ what were the opinions OF General CAss prior to
the election Of 1913, the constitutional power of
Congress 10 improve rivers and harbors, and whe-
Their the "noise and confusion" still prevents him
| from making his opinions known; and that said
committee further inquire and report what il the
true construction Of the letter of Mr. Polk to Kane
ON the subject OF protection. GCncs Of agreed"
| "agrced."l
The SPEAKER ruled the amendment to be out
OF order.
Mr.. FEATHERsToN moved TO amend the reso-
luton Of Mr.. STANLy, 10 strike out so much of il
as authorizes the appointment Of clerk He would
have objection TO the resolution, thus amended;
| and he saw why a clerk should be al
lowed TO a special committee, and denied 10 all but
| two Of the standing committees Of the House.
Mr.. WENTWORTH, anxious that a vote should
be taken, moved the previous question, which was
seconded.
The amendment Of Mr.. FEATHERsToN was
agreed to--yeas l0t, nays Co.
And the resolution was adopted.
IOWA CONTESTED ELrcrIos.
Mr.. STRONG, from the Committee OF Elections,
reported n rcsolutionthat the testimony in rela-
ton 10 the Iowa contested election case be printed
| for the use Of the committee and the House [Mr.
| Miller, Wing, contests the seat Of Mr. Thompson,
/ Democrat1
The resolution adopted.
| Mr.. sCHENCK moved a reconsideration Of the
| vote. He understood that the documents were vo-
luminous They have been ordered TO be printed.
Judging from past experience, the documents
90