The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-08-30
THE REPUBLIC.

/ tuoreIOr6 IuusL respectfully ask tOat you VIII
inform me, by the bearer of this. when may hav
the opportunity or presenting testimony to the
i '0i THO. coRwIN.
Hon. ANDREW JOHNSON, Chairman Select Com
mittee, House of Representatives.
Mr.. JOHNSON said the committee met imme
diatey upon the receipt OF this letter. and that Mr.
Corwin was authorized to attend on the ne x
morning; and they then agreed to make the repor
which, short time since, was made to the House
The second letter from MIR. Corwin to Mr.. JOHN
soN ia as follows:
WAsHInGTos, 26th August, 1852.
Sin: Understood this morning that the special
committee, of which you are the chairman, have
resolved that they cannot proceed with the investi
CATION assigned to them.
The anxiety expressed by me to the committee
that it should inyestg and report the present
session, induces me now to request that the com.
mittee shall ask and obtain leave to cit In the
ton, and close the matter SO far as am concerned
as soon as possible.
Very respectfully,
THO. CORWIN.
Hon. A. JOHNSON, Chairman Special Committee,
House Of Representatives.
Mr.. EDGERTON remarked, in behalf Of his col
league, that he (Mr. OLDs) was exceedingly apx-
ious for the prosecution Of the inquiry, and re-
quesed him to say u the House that he was desi-
rous the committee should have an opportunity to
sit during the receas, with view to ascertain all
the facts in the case. He moved, therefore, that
the committee have have to sit during the recess.
Mr.. GENTRY, without wishing to be under
stood AZ expressing any opinion whatever in rela-
that whether the charges are just or unjust. GER
tainly, so far as he could form any idea from his
own observation, they We're injurious and calum-
NOUS; but still there Tad been men Of very high
official character who have disappointed public ex
pectation. We are MT to presume that, because
they occupy high places, i is impossible for them
to fall. This impu afon involves official and per
sonal honor. 1t is therefore the interest Of Mr.
COwin to have a. Investigation, and promptly,
that he may have tie vindication which the de-
velopment Of factscan give him; and this much
he is entitled TO from the House. On the other
hand, they who are responsible for the charges
should havs an Oppurtunity to make good their
imputatien, and savo themselves from the disgrace
Of being considered sanderers and calumniators.
II guilty, let him be impeached; il innocent, let
him stand vindicated, and let his slauderers be
branded with the infamy they deserve. For these
reasons he was in favor Of giving the committee
leave to sit during the recess t, @
Mr. HOUSTON now claimed the floor. He
wished to dispose of the Civil and Diplomatic APP
preparation bill; and therefore moved that the re-
port be laid upon the table. ..'.. :. ..
Mr.. MEADE trusted the House had sense enough
to vote against laying the report on the table.
The SPEAKER eaid the proposition before the
House was that the committee have leave to sit
during the recess of Congress. u-.a sr.. ..."
Mr.. HOUSTON said that he had obtained the
floor, but gave way to the gentleman from Ten
nessee to make the report. ss- ~. .n
MT. hlCHAhDSON ral6eQ D point Oh Or0or. Lnat
the gentleman from Alabama having yielded to the
gentleman from Tennessee, it was not competent
for the first named to resume the floor until the
pending question was disposed Of. a.
The SPEAKER 30 decided. ..... ...
Mr. RICHARDSON wished to amend the motion
of Mr.. EDosRToN, 30 as to enlarge the powers Of
the Committee. itrsaa. 49, . ....... ..
Mr., EDGERTON submitted a resolution--that
the committee have leave to cit during the vaca-
ton, with power to send for persons and papers,
and examine WITNESSES under oath.
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee suggested that the
House informally pass over this subject, go that
the gentleman from Alabama could move to take
up the Civil and Diplomatic Appropriation bill, for
the purpose of referring the amendments.
There was no objection. .... -....
CIVIL AND DIPLOMATIC APPROPRIATIONS BILL.
Mr.. HOUSTON said the Senate had returned
this bill with ffty-nine sixty pages Of amend
ments. 1t was impossible, by the usual mode of
proceeding. to pass them during the present SEES
sion; and therefore he moved that the House non
concur in all OF theni in a mass. and ask OF the
Senate Committee of Conference.
Cries of "Oh noY' "Oh moi"
Mr. PHELPS said that the bill would be lost un-
less this course should be pursued; and not only
this, but others. :~
Mr. GENTRY said that, if the motion should
PREVAIL the effect would be to place too great
power in the hands Of the Committee of Confer
ence. -'. .. .
The rules were then suspended, and the bill was
taken up; and
The motion of Mr.. HousroN was now stated;
Mr.. CABELL asked for the reading of the
amendments.
The SPEAKER decided that according to the
rule, a gentleman could make this demand; but
also declared, that nevertheless it was competent
for the House to dispease With the rule. ,-.. g.;
Mr.. EWING appealed from the decision of the
Chair.
A debate point Of order ensued; and ...
The SPEAKER again stated the question.
Mr. MEADE said that ua M thn mn fion. n nd
was called to order in various parts of the Hail.
Much confusion prevailed. Now, as at previous
stages of the proceedings, the speaker endeavored
to restore quiet. He said he had exhausted his
power to preserve order, and would resort to that
which belongs to the officers of the House. IA
voice: That's right."l
Mr.. GENTRY. 1 hope the House will sustain
the Chair IS
Mr.. BAYLY. Mr. SPEAKER ..e ,.
The SPEAKER. No debate is in order.
Mr.. MEADE. The proposition is different from
what it was heretofore,
The SPEAKER. The gentlemen is mistaken.
Mr.. MEADE. hope lam.
Mr.. STANLY. / wish to ask question.
The SPEAKER. If the House will indulge the
gentleman.
Several objections were interposed.
Mr.. BAYLY. have right To-
Mr.. GENTRY. l call the gentleman to order.
Mr.. BAYLY. ! hare right to ask your deci-
sion before vote. Have not right? IA voice:
- The question has been stated over and over
again."1 want to know what the Speaker de-
cides. s ~
Mr.. CARTIER. ask that the call of the roll
be proceeded with. |
The proceedings were accompanied by much
confusion.
The SPEAKER again requested gentlemen to
take their seats and preserve order. Unless this
should be done by authority of the Chair, he would
call upon the Sergeant at arms to execute the
power vested in him by this body.
The CLERK then commenced the calling of the
roll, and was obliged several times to pause until
the disorder comparatively subsidized, il being diff.
cult for him to hear the responses OF gentlemen to
their names.
Finally the result was announced-yeas IS,
nays IS. So the appeal from the decision of the
Chair was laid upon the table.
MIR. STEVENS, of Pennsylvania, then called
for the yeas and nays on the motion made by the
gentleman from North Carolina, (Mr. CLINoMAN,)
10 suspend the rule which requires paper to be
read on the call Of member, as the Speaker had
decided.
Mr.. GENTRY called attention to the rule, which
says, that when the reading of paper is objected
10, it shall be determined by vote of the House.
And be raised question Of order, that the reading
having been objected To, the simple question wac,
shall Il be read, and that the motion to suspend the
rule out Of order.
Conversation ensued between several gentlemen;
when ..- .. 1s...ehr
Jata