The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-08-01

tons He does not interfere with view 10 embarrass
the honorable senator from Louisiana. Although the
honorable senator feels doubt has own mind eerap
OF the justice OF his case, yet we who are not so well
acquainted, aud have not had that peculiar cause to IN
vesgae IT which he has, have local feelings upon tie
subject and ieel quite different from himself consider
II my duty, therefore, under the circumstances, Mr..
President, 10 advert 10 the remarks OF my honorable
friend from louisiana in the hope that they would not be
repeated, andeT any circumstances BY anybody
Mr.. DOWNS. | am sure fmy honorable friend from
Michigan Nr CAss1 had known the circumstances az
well do under which this claim has been presented
here, he would moi have given me The admonltlon thai
he has. II Is not Ia an ordinary case that make my
compliant This is not the first time, but the twentieth
tune, that this interference has taken place The senator
from Michigan Mr.. FELcHl has inertered IN great
number o; which have passed by in silence. II
is not thus single interference which brings me out
Here, examined by and by my committee. an
important fact stated that this RELEASE made by
the Secretary of the Treasury before the bill for Carson
was passed tits SO stated III the report and so stated
by me in debate and yet the senator got up IN the Senate
and read from memorandum stating that this not
the fact BY the way would like 10 know who furnish
ed that memorandum. was taken so much by surprise
when he did it, that consented at once that the matter
might be investigated and the bill was postponed. Is
that ordinary circumstances ordinary occur
renee in the Senate TO pass by without any notice when
fact like this is stated by senator not only in his place
but IN the formal manner OF report, and another gem
tleman gets up and conradicts It, Is it right, proper,
and Just 10 myself and to the Senate that IL should be
passed over in silence was as much as,onlshed as
any man could be at the course OF the senator from
Michigan Mr.. FELcH from the first; and however IN
consistent With his usual course il may be, still the fact
was So and it was my duty, as member OF the CON;
miitee and as member OF the Senate TO meet 1t.
intended at the very next meeting OF the Senate to call II
up and make the remark which have male now. did
not do II, because the gentleman was then sick, which
prevented him from beng present. | object TO no mem
bers interfering with my report but do object to any
gentlemans contradctng fact stated in It, unless he has
sufficient and competent authority TO show that my state
ment is incorrect, especially when il turns out upon in
vestlgation that the fact is true as stated It, That Is
wha,I object to, and not to any interference. think
the senator from Michigan and the Senate well know
that am not caphoas in matters of this kind. am not
disposed to object 10 interference with my reports II is
done every day But do object to This kind of contra
dction, made under circumstances so extraordinary as
these.
Mr. FELCH. | scarcely expected tha! this debate,
having relation to matter pending before the Senate,
and the decision OF the question being IN which no
senator here could have any particular interest should
result in anything like personal aluslon and especially
personal aluslon to myself. With the senator MIR.
DowNsl who has Just taken his seat have always been
upon the mos, friendly terms, and surprised at the
course which he has taken at this particular lime, The
remarks he has made are without foundation in anything
have said done. and certainly without foundation in
anything which have ever felt, either Of interest in this
of personal feeling towards that senator. Sir,
regret very much have no harsh words TO give in
reply The senator must enjoy his remarks he best
can, and enjoy his feelings he has any, regard me-
10 suit himself But repeat again, that regret that he
has found 1t necessary either 10 entertain feeling OF that
kind express IL here upon this floor As chairman
of the Committee Public Lands know well any
man what the boundaries of the duty Of that
mltee and believe few men here will accuse me OF
attempting 10 step beyond the bounds OF that duty Now,
in relation 10 the administration of the public domain, it
very often happens that those that called private land
claims, and referred 10 the Committee on Private Land
Claims, SO little separated from the principle OF the
claims going TO the Committee Public Lands
y be distinguished in principle the one from the other,
and many OF them relating TO precisely the same subjects
and in this class of OF them u the
Committee on Private Land Claims, and some to the
Committee on Public Land Claims; and II have con-
sdered il my duty any occasion here 10 neriere--o
he pN Nnrps 10 gen.
ator from Louisiana, Mr. Downs IL say If have ever
nterieed in matters OF this kind has been because my
attention has been particularly directed to this subject
OF public lands and not from any personal feeling or
desire toneere with the reports OF action OF other mem
bers of this Senate.
beg senators 10 recollect that, placed as have been
upon the Committee on Pubc Lands since | have
been in this Senate and directing my attention to that
subject particularly, have Withdrawn my attention and
mind from all other subjects before the Senate though
have regretted tina, could not, desired, take part in
the consideration OF other subjects, But have been
obliged-l nave been compeed-,o devote my energies
and lime very much to the duties OF my position upon
that committee, and has regretted more than
have. And know that II has been subject OF remark
that have not participated IN the consideration OF sub
ecs OF general interest here, having been engaged
altogether 10 the consideration OF this subec, OF public
lands That has been made the subject oil remark IN re-
gard to myself Ii has been because they have required
my attention TO that subject; and being placed there upon
that committee, not from any choice, but against my
wishes, have considered my duty 10 look at this sub
ec Of the public lands, and have expressed my views
upon them, chairman OF the committee, bat as
member OF this Senate Whenever questions OF this kind
up. and my attention has been directed to them, and
have thought had information upon the subject which
could with propnety be presented TO the Senate, nave
given IT, in the performance o what elt 10 be hugh
duty and not from any petty personal ieelng whaeyer
Have ever presented bill here from the Committee on
Public Lands TO which have not invited investigation
and scrutinyi Have | complained OF any man, OF
my friend who has just taken his seat, Mr. Dowss be-
cause he has scrutinzed my report and aided me IN
doing justice those who here for justice re-
gard il the duty of every member who occupies the
position of chairman OF a committee 10 look around this
Senate upon side, and invite investigation, and
seek for information Whenever | have presented any
measure of this kind here have ever been ready Tor any
man who had any knowledge OF the subject to examine
the and to take part in whehet to advance II
If worthy, TO prevent It's passage II the pubic interest
required that il should not be passed. That Is what
regard my position and duty. come here with com
plants against man, and regret that any man has
found occasion TO make the complaining aIuson that has
been made TO myself upon this OCCASION But VIII
leave that subject There is person OF whom would
speak here elsewhere and that s myself ones
self is the last person OF whom any should speak.
Now 10 come to this bill The senator was right IN
saying that there a mistake IN my memoranda.
Mr.. DOWNS. II the senator Will permit me, would
say one word before he goes furher and that s TO dis
claim my part eny personal feeling towards him in
this matter. This has been matter OF the deepest re-
gret 10 me But have felt IL my duty, under the CIR
cumsances, 10 make the remark that have made And
10 show that there IL personal feeling upon the sub
ect and has not been from the beginning, take this
occasion now say, and do II with all sincerity, that
he honorable senator Is OF the very last senators in
this body could | have bad nv choice, about whom !
could have made the remarks | did Yet, although |
respect him so highly. and my confidence in him IL so
strong under any state OF circumstances, yet, nowilh-