Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-04-22
CeNGRESSIONAL.
w AsHlNGroN, April II, 1850

w WAsHiNGToN, April IL, 1850.
HOUSE The bill giving the widow Of
Gen. Worth a pension Of $50 per month,
was taken up
Mr.. Jones moved to amend, by providing
pensions for privates.
The Speaker declared the amendment
out OF order,a and was sustained by the House.
Mr.. ]. opposed the bill>because, he said,
it was in direct violation of the general
clause on the suljec. Of pensions.
Mr.. McClernand rose to the question of
order, and the Speaker decided that debate
was not allowable, and was sustained by
the House. Finally the bill was laid over
The House went into Committee of the
Whole on private bills, and but one private
bill was discussed, when the Committee rose
without taking action upon it.
Air Burt remarked that he was instruc-
ted by the Selec, Committee on the Galphin
claim, TO state that they are of opinion the
resolution Of the House, under which
they were appointed, restricts their IN
qniries to the relation and conduct of the
Secretary of War; and does not authorize
them to inqure whether there was anything
unusual or improper in allowing interest
on the ciaim, and they asked the instruc.
tians of the House. At Mr.. Bnrt's request,
that part ofthe journal of former day
was read, stating that the Speaker read be-
fore the House, communication from
MIR. Crawford, asking prompt and full
investigation of=his conduct in relation TO
the claim Of the representatives Of George
Galphin, and that on motion of Mr..
Toor,bs, Select Committee were appon.
ted.
Mr.. Burt desired to say, on the part of
the Committee, that they did not ask of the
House any enlargement of the duties conf
ded to them They have seen nothing in
the progress Of the investigation, SO far,
which induces them 10 ask for any increase
of power, and on the part ofthe Committee
he felt it to be his duty to protest that any
influences of any kind are to be drawn from
the present application. From the reading
of the proceedings, every one mus. believe
that the powers of the Committee do not
extend beyond an inquiry into the relation
and conduct Of the Secretary of War in
relation to the claim. This was a duty
he was charged to perform, and in the Ian
guage Of the report, he asked the instruc-
tions oil the louise as to the Interpretation
Of the language Of the resolution, and the
duty Of The Committee. They are content
to perform their duty as defined by the Res.
olution, and wish distinctly to be under.
stood MS not asking that their duties be in
creased Or their powers enlarged. 4s"sa-
Mr.. Moore was aware certain reports
were in circulation, and therefore would
submit Resolution that the Committee be
authorized to inquire into all the circum.
stances attending the allowance Of principal
and interest of the Galphin claim, under
the Act of August, ls4s, and tha, they have
the power to send for persons and papers.
MIR. Sweetzer asked leave 10 offer an amend
ment with view to enquiry into the claim.
The structures ofthe public press are oil
alarming. .>
Mr.. Burt merely rose to say that the
committee did wish to mako suggestion
as to any other claim.
Mr.. johnson, of Ark, desired that the
amendments should come from the Whig
side of the House. Il was due to them.
Mr. Thompson, of Miss, preferred the
motion made by Mr.. Moore. He did not
think the committee should de instructed TO
investigate everything. Mr.. Moore sail
he would amend his resolution to inquire
into the circumstance Of the passage of the
t5alphin Bill.
Mr.. Thompson rose to oppose inquiry
into the conduct Of his predecessors
Mr.. Johnson of Ark. said the Secretary
Of War had reasons for asking an investi-
.igation, and he wanted to see the Wings
done justice.
Mr.. Burt hoped That the, House would
not instrucI the Committee to investigate