The republic., 1852-01-10


grave and grossly exaggerated not to say false, ac
counts OF affairs in that Territory. And he ven
tured TO assert that, If time and opportunity be
given, the committee will be furnished with ample
evidence TO prove the truth of his remark. He was
unable TO communicate at this season OF the year
with the government of Utah but he knew the
people Of that Territory TO be loyal to the Govern
ment OF the United States, Notwithstanding they
are aspersed and are charged with gross crimes
and enormities. AT an early day he should ask
that commission be appointed under the authority
OF the House. with instructions and power To take
testimony with reference 10 the charge in the
port, 10 be laid before Congress; and. IN the
time, he asked suspension. not only OF Executive
action, but that OF the lousc, and suspension Of
public opinion
Mr.. STUART said that this is a commune a tion
which was elected from the President through the
action of the Committee Territories, in virtue Of
a resolution introduced by the gentleman from
North Carolina, (Mr. CLiNGMAN,) a member OF
that committee. He knew OF reason why the
communication should go to any other committee.
MIR. BERNIllSEL. IL involves grave legal ques'
tons, and therefore should go to the Committee Oh
the judiciary.
Mr. CLING MAN, as an individual had pre-
ference in relation to the matter but he felt 1t To
be his duty, in the absence OF the chairman of the
COMMITTEE on Territories, To move the reference
to that committee, whose duty II is to recommend
appropriations for the Territories and such laws
may be necessary for their good government. II
would be found that the resolution calling for the
Information ia comprehensive, embracing all in
formation as To the present condition OF that Terri
tory, and whether the present laws sufficient
Tor It's proper government; what has become OF the
public money, and whether the charges OF it's mis-
application are true. and other matters. As the
subject now stands. he would make no recommsn
dations until he understood the truth of the charges
lie repeated that, In the absence OF the chairman,
he thought it courteous and proper to move that
the communication be referred to the Committee
on Territories.
MIR. GlDDiNGS said that there was much force
in the argument Of the gentleman from North
Carolina. The people Of Utah are distant, and are
represented here by a young member. They pre-
fer that these charges shall go u tho Judiciary
Committee. He, Tor one, n member OF the Com
mitee Territories, was willing that the subject
should take that direction. The people OF Utah
charged with violation of the laws Of the
United States and therefore he thought that the
proper reference would be TO the Committee
Territories but as it would crafty the delegate
from and the people Of Utah, he hoped that the
matter would be sent 10 the Committee on the
MIR. CLlNGMAN had no preference. If the
House shall decide To refer it to the Committee
the Judiciary. let it go there. The Committee on
Territories, however IS just likely to do justice;
he was not aware that any member of that com-
mttee is preludiced.
The ninety fifth rule was read, as follows: at
shall be the duty of the Committee on Territories
TO examine into the legislative, civil, and criminal
proceedings of the Territories, and to devise and
report TO the House such means as, in their opin-
ion, may be necessary TO secure the rights and
privileges Of residents and resdcnts."
Mr.. McLANAHAN remarked that the question
was one Of serious Importance. IL originated un-
der the organic law Of that Territory, and il was
the duty OF the Committee on Territories 10 see the
organic law, which originally comes through their
hands, honestly and fairly carried out. If the
House, however should see proper to impose the
duty upon the Committee on the Judiciary, they
will act with fidelity; but. under the rule which
was just read, and considering where the resolution
calling for the information originated, AS matter
of courtesy. and according to the parliamentary
rule, the subject belonged to the Committee
Territories.
The question then taken the motion that
the report be read, and decided in the negative;
and the communication then referred 10 the
Committee on Territories and ordered TO be
printed.
Mr.. BERNHISEL asked leave TO introduce
solution, that the committee to whom has been
ierred the charges of the returned officers of the
United States addressed to the President of the
United States, and communicated to this House,
have power TO send for pereons and papers, and
send a commissioner 90 be designated by the
Speaker of the House, TO Utah. To take depostions
as 10 matters contained In the said report and that
the delegate have permission to retain counsel to
conduct the casc before the House and the COM
mittee.
EXECUTIVE coMausIcATioSs.
The SPEAKER laid before the House the fol
lowing communications, viz:
/. A letter from the Secretary of War, transmit
ting statements showing what contracts have been
made under the authority Of HE Department during
the year 1851; and
,. A letter from the Secretary Of War, transmit-
ting statement, prepared by the Second Auditor,
of the expenditures made during the year ending
December 81, 1851, from the appropriations foe
contingencies; both of " hch were referred to the
Committee Military Affairs.
\ letter from the Secretary Of the Navy, trans
uniting his annual statement of the clerks and
other persons employed IN his Depart during
the year lo5; which was referred 20 the Com
mttee on Expenditures of the Navy Department.
4. communication from the Secretary of the
Territory Of New Mexico, transmitting copy OF
the acts and resolutions Of the Legislative Assem-
bly, Of that Territory passed at the session of said
Assembly begun and held the second day Of
June, lSjl; which referred to the Committee
on Territories and ordered 10 bc printed.
.. a copy of the laws of the Territory OF Mime
sofa, passed by the Legislative Assembly of said
Territory at their session commencing January |,
1851; which referred to the Committee on
Territories.
The House adjourned until Monday.