The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-04

The Charges against tne serge"nt-at- Arms
and others.
In the Senate on Monday the It'll inst Mr. MoRoAr,
from the select committee. to whom was referred the
charges brought against Senators in regard to the gamb
ling bill. Inadeis report upon tho subject
The report and testimony voluminous The commit
tee relate the facts and untanccs attending the mat
ter stror ely rera din the unprecedented conduct OF
Mr. hull and also consuming the three Senators VINO hal
signed the paper at the instisaton cf BULL without re-
nding any course 10 be pursued but leaving the
disposition Of the whole question with the Senate.
The testimony Of Bull exonerates all the senator's Mr.
MILF ard others implicated in his letters to suyda and
he takes upon himself the whole responsibility OF the ex
torton and IFS proceeds
After the clerk had concluded the reading Of the
document
Mr. srosr and remarked that he did not rise for
the purpose Of suggesting any disposition Of the report
and testimony lie only desired To st,e, that he
not satisfied with the entire report lie had drawn up
sat which he desired should be placed in the docu
Mt and incorporated in the report. This was pro-
mis-, him but 1t appears that his statement does
not appear in the report In regard to the con-
illusions in the report-that each member Of the
select committee ON the gambling BILL by signing
the paper guilty Of gross DISQUALIFICATION this
Mr. Bull as gentleman, having been recommended by
the great whg party fer the important place he holds
and he lad always been treated by him in the most
GENT, maIly manner, under such circumstances he
signed the IA per ut his solicitation He did the
he would have done, had such request been made by
either Of the Senators the President himself Mr.. s.
being conscious Of the recttude Of his Intentions, he felt
that under similar circumstances. he would perform
like actthertoie he complained Of the conclusions Of
the committee presented in their report.
MrsS sent to the chair statement stating that he de-
sired to be for the purpose Of giving the
which induced him to sign the paper
Mr.. Cook inquired whether the other two Senators
(M.ssrs. johnson and Rcbnson had not also, desired
TO be sworn before the committee.
Mr.. MoRGAs-They did SO desire.
Mr. BArcocK said that if the fact appeared in the
port that they had offered to be sworn should be suf
cient there not the slightest ground for suspicion
sting upon the Senators.
Mr. raid the only grounds Of implication against
these Senators the signing Of the paper ut the Aston
House 1t does not show that. by performing that act
they have been guilty Of official misconduct and If the
Senate shall to the report made with the reec
ions upon thm then, honorable they would be
perfectly justablc in instantly resigning their seats in
this Senate lie hoped the report would be recommitted
to the select committee in order that either all Of
thesc Senators might appear on the record.
MIR. JOHNSON was willing to leave the whole matter in
the hands Of the Senate lie intended to give the pub
lie under OATH III short time full statement so far
he il concerned
Mr. Mass stated that the Senators were present during
the entire examination, and heard al the Witnesses
and ut the time the facts elected before the
mttec neither those Senators complained any por-
ton OF the testimony 1t not for the committee
call witnesses who under accusation Should they
desire to before the committee he (Mr. NJ would be
ted an act which highly improper and censurable
and which cannot be justified here anywhere else and
although being performed by individual members Of this
body that act reflects upon the entire Senate and the
responsibility Of the transaction thrown upon ALL
These gentlemen have been sent here to fill high and
important place and they have been guilty of dsgracing
the Senate. IL is that they performed the
act-hat they signed the paper inadvertently. They in
manner became accessory with Bull in the act-they
have violated their duty Senators. Mr. NJ, however,
did not think any statements which those Senators may
make will in the least change the aspect of the case or
the thing which has been done.
Mr. STONE stated that after hearing the remarks the
Senator from the Nineteenth (ir NJ he should with
draw all desire to again appear before the committee 1t
pr,judged and he (sr s. would not far
degrade himself, unless compelled by legal process
The debate was confined by Messrs. Schoonmaker,
Be,kman Carroll, and Geddes the latter Senator desir
ing r,commimcnt Of the report for the purpose of
striking out that portion which incts censure upon
Messrs. Robinson Stone. and Johnson
Mr.. Cook was opposed to reconlmitment. The pub
lie win think that the three Senators required to go be-
fore the committee to undertake to screen themselves
from charge The report clearly states that those Sc
majors guiltless Of any improper conduct Ii is bet
ter to take the report as II il.
Mr.. GEpprs withdrew his proposition to recommit
Mr.. Fox withdrew motion which lac made in early
part Of the discussion to recomm for the purpose of al
lowing the statements OF the three Senators to appear
the document
The question then taken on dschargng the Select
Committee and carried
Mr. scHoosMAKrR offered the following, which lies on
the table,
the Senate by the Select Committee Senators Robinson
Johnson and Stone have not forfeited the confidence Of
the Senate In their honor and integrity as Senators and
Mr. WILLIAMS offered the following
moved from the Office of Sergeant Arms Of the Senate
Carried unanimously.
Mr. WILLIAMS offered the following .
Resolved That George l.. Garlick be and Is hereby ap
pointed Sergeant AT Arms
Carried.
Mr. mann offered the following which lies over until
Whereas In the judgment Of the Senate, it Is estab
lhed by the evidence taken by the Select Committee
appointed to investigate the charges made against George
W. Bull late Sergeant Arms Of the Senate Others
that the said George w Bull has been guilty by corrupt
devices Of attempting to influence the votes Of members
of the Senate bill for the eiectual suppression
Of gambling and has thereby been guilty Of breach Of
privilege and Of contempt Of the Senate: Therefore
Resolved, That said George W. Bull for the contempt
aforesaid be committed to the jail Of the county Of Al
bany and there imprisoned during the Of the pre-
sent session Of the legislature and that the President Of
the Senate issue his directed the
Arms his arrest and commitment as aforesaid