The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-07-15


the expectation, Il not purpoae, IT tAeteuine a
unworthy impstation isdiDcrmiaafsly upon Al
those who had favored ths passage Of the bill,
wAch wAs the subject Or dat statement; and II
"a investigates OF its truth should be made to
farnsh ground for charging sanction and
approval OF base attempt at bribery and
that after having thus been the cause OF an
inquiry, which should cxonerate the innocent
and expose the guilty, the refusal to disclose
the whole truth, is proof either that the stnte-
ment itself is pure fabrication, or, il true,
that the party SO refusing is Wiling to connive
ut an atrocious offence, by seeking to screen the
offender from punishment and nfamy; that as
it appears from the said testimony reported by
the select committee, that the said alleged cor
rupt offer was made during The first two weeks
OF the present session OF the legislature, the
withholding the public statement Of it until
within few days Of the term appointed for the
adjournment OF tn two houses lustifies the be-
lief OF an intention to compel an indefinite pro-
longatlon Of the session, for the purpose of
investigating the facts of the case, or an ad-
journment without such Investigation, which
should leave foul stain upon the Legislature,
and upon the friends of the bill in question !;
that this belief is strengthened by the allega-
tons in the said communication Of the said Levi
- N'Ass'ASsus VI laUuiO0n IuuluTS "a " piOI ~
the organization Of large company to take
the contracts for the whole of the proposeu
canal works, which can have been rut forth by
him for no other purpose than to cause a
heightened and probably fruitess inquiry, which
would SO prucrastinate the present session as 10
excite the disapprobation Of the people that
although this house entertains no doubt of its
constitutional competency to proceed against
Lew ;. Clarified, and inhict such punishment
as may be just and proper, for his scandaIous
violation OF ail public decorum and private de
ccncy, for hi, breach Of the privilege Of this
house. and for his libels on individual mem
bcr' and on public officers; yet string to
avoid protracted session, which would be the
consequence Of any -attem t to enforce its all
thority on the present occasion, and confiding
in the intelligence and patriotism of their con-
stituents, to stignatze as it deserves the afore-
said communication of the sid Levi s. Chat
held, this house conceves that it best cOnsuIts
its o vn dignity ard the interests Of the PEG.
pie, and most appropriately signifies its ap-
precautions OF that communication and its author.
by returning it to him.
Therefore, Ordered. That the clerk of this
house return to Levi $ ChattieId his communi-
cation to NJ. J. ]. Townsend, chairman of com
mittee of this house, dated the S:h instant,
WteiiouI eutt'HiB tiib bdtUo upon LHc JOURNALS,
and with no other entry thereon in reference to
the same, than note briefly stating the fact of
said commune alton having been laid before this
house, and Of the adoption of the foregoing
resolution.
Mr. MAURICE replied TO Mr.. Townsend.
Z Mr. A. A. THOMPSON followed rather to OK
cuse than to justify some of the expressions
which had got into the communication read
The offer of s 5000 could not have been made
by near and dear friend, otherwise than in Joke
or jest.
Mr. BRIGGs followed in explanation of the ac
ton he had taken upon this subject, when
Mr.. MAURICE moved the following as a substi-
tute for the resolutions:
RESOLVED. That the Select committee ap-
pointed to investigate certain matters relating to
the Attorney General, be discharged from the
further consideration of the subject; and that in
the opinion of this house, no canse exist, for
imputing to any member or officers of this
house, any offence whatever
Mr.. EiDEkKIs made brief explanation of his
action in this mater, when
The previous question WAS applied, and the
resolution was adopted-Ayes 60; Nays, 80.