The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-09-02
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, AUGUST "a.

The following gentlemen have been appoint.
ed by the Speaker as the committee called for
under the resolution of Mr. Olds, to nvesti-
gate ali the facts touching the connection of
Thomas Corwin the present Secretary of the
Treasury, with the Gardiner claim:
Mr. johnson, of Tennessee Mr.. Duncan, of
Massachusetts Mr.. Howard, of Texas; Mr.
Chapman, of Connecticut; and Mr.. Preston
King, of New York.
Mr Duncan asked TO be excused from ser
vice on that committee.
The gentleman was excused and the Speaker
authorized to fill the vacancy
The House then resumed the consideration
Of the bill of the Senate to amend an act to
provide for the better security of the lives Of
passengers on board of vessels propelled in
whole or in part by steam, the question being
on the amendments reported onereto by the
Committee on Commerce.
These amendments, so far as acted upon
were agreed to but before the subject was
disposed of, the morning hour expired.
On motion of Mr.. Sibley, by leave, the House
took up the Senate bill to create an additional
land Office in the Territory of Minnesota, when
1t was read three times and passed.
Mr.. Duncan offered resolutonsto close all
debate on the Lighthouse bill w one hour
after the Committee of the Whole shall re-
sumo Its consideration; which was agreed to.
| On motion of Mr.. Cobb a resolution was
adopted to the effect that all bills. resolutions,
and other matters referred to the standing
committees of the House, upon which no re.
| port shall have been made at this session, shall
be returned Informally to the Clerk, and shall
/ by virtue of this resolution, stand reeommitted
at the commencement of the next session to
said committees, in whose possession the Clerk
is hereby directed to restore them.
On motion of MIR. Polk, the House then re-
solved itself into Committee of the Whole on
the state of the Union, and resumed the con
sideration of the bill making appropriation
for lighthouses, light-boats, buOys, &c, and
providing for the erection and establishment
of the same and for other purposes.
Mr.. Polk addressed the House an hour in
opposition to General Scott. In the course Of
his remarks he alluded to his colleague, Mr..
Cullom saying that when that gentleman
intimated in a square in this city, that Gene
raj Franklin Pierce or his horse tainted, he
lied
Mr. Cullom. say that when my colleague
insinuates that have made false representa-
ton, he is liar
The Chairman called both gentlemen to or
der, and great excitement ensued.
Mr.. Polk, Let the gentleman send friend
to me, and that will do.
Mr.. Polk then proceeded to show that Gen
Scott was no more fit for the Presidency on &C.
count of his military qualifications than on the
ground of his civil merits in this connectiG
charging an understanding between Genera
Scott and General Santa Anna during the
Mexican war.
Mr. White, of Kentucky, inquired oil the
gentleman if any facts could be produced
show that an understanding existed IN 'n'
Mexican war between General Scott ana Zen
Santa Anna.
MIR Polk replied in the affirmative. He IN
derstood that the gentleman was to be putpr.
ward TO attack him. and he would receive nm
with open arms. He would say TO the gentle
man from Kentucky, that his Mr.. Polk's) puf'
nose was not to engage in personal conflict
but he had learned that he had been pitted 70
assail him. He would tell the gentleman tha'
he understood the rules which governed honor
in their part of the country, and when nc
asked, he would answer him.
MIR. White. The gentleman says that have
been pittcd to assail him. ! say 1t Is raise.
Mr.. Polk That there may be no m'sapP'e'
hension. tell the gentleman he IS mar,
Great excitement took place, ana the mar
man called the gentlemen TO order "A mo'lon
was made that the Committee rise, whch ~@
ruled out of order, Mr. Polk being entitled TO
Mr. Polk then concluded his remarks, speak;
ing in strong terms against the reputation oil
General Scott as a SOLDIER, 49,.
All debate being here closed in Committee
thu Committee rose, for the purpose Of allow
mo Mr. Cullom to make personal explana'
ton, when -, of
Mr.. CulIom spoke severely of the course o.
his colleague during the time he had heid
seat in the House. He also in an impasslone'd
strain defended the fame Of General oco"'
when he concluded,
The COMMITTEES renewed its session, ana pr
ceeded TO act upon amendments offered 70 '''
bill. .,r e,or
After discussing the amendments uii i0''
O'Clock, the Committee again rose am
/ Several efforts wse then made 70 ~sord
private bills, but without success and "a.
past four o'clock the House sdjourne samus
Al