The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-12
HE UNION: WASHINGTON TUESDAY MORNING. APRIL T. 1853

the Commissioner OF Indian Affairs That is bureau BY
Itself IN this government That bureau. and The pfes
dent himself, Will undoubtedly ind their attention al
raeied BY the very subject which has engaged The aen
uon OF the Committee on Indian Affairs. The law has
eonhded This whole subject 10 the President and 10 the
bureau Shall we Withdraw IL from their hands Is II
Wise 10 divide the responsibility with the executive de-
paTtment OF The government! Ii is true, as il is said,
that the Senate advises the PRECEDENT That Is undoubt
edy correct bat We advise the President upon matters
submitted by him TO the Senate We do not volunteer
advice TO the Presidents much less Dug we, IL TO
me, 10 originate and conduct inyesig alton by our.
selves when The Senate Is not Ia session, hch belongs
especially 10 The executive department OF the government
Oar committees look 10 The executive department OF the
government for advice and instruction There are the
sources OF evidence, IN great There the evil
denee may be collected from the testimony OF witnesses
before them. II TO il would be indIscreet, TO
say The least OF IT, 10 TO the Senate any part OF the
duties which properly belong the executive branch OF
the government. | should greatly prefer TO leave the
whole subject with the President and his Commissioner
OF Indian Ahafs and feel confident that they VIII give
TO all parties fair and thorough invesugallon, and ihat
at the next session, If desire information, we can OBJ
tain II IN the ordinary way by calling upon the depart
ment
MIR. WALKER | wish 10 say word or two with
reference TO the point raised by the senator from South
Carolina with regard the examination and exam
nation OF witnesses, and TO stale that the Committee Oh
Indian Affairs have taken that very course. They have
presented nterrogatories, and have had cross exam
nalion OF Witnesses in order that the facts might be
elected
| In reference TO what was said by the senator from
Ono VI understand the organization oil the committees
OF The Senate, which perpetual body they hold their
appointment until they superseded Certainly we shall
proceed al the next session TO appoint committees;
and II not, then those now appointed will continue.
! Mr.. CHASE. | do not so understand II.
Mr. WALKER Such has always been My apprehen'
SION OF he matter Some gentlemen say . NO"
| The PRESIDING OFFICER. The rule is that the
committees shall be appointed at the commencement OF
each session."
Mr. WALKER So understand; and committee
appointed al this exists ual appointed al
The next session And now what is proposed by the
oluuon Is simply 10 authorize OF committees 10
delegate OF its members proceed, during the time
Tor which is constituted, procure testimony tor the
ACTON OF the body al The next session,
Nit ADAMS. voted al The last session against the
creation OF various committees 10 be authorized TO sIt
during vacation. 4 then doubted the propety OF such
proceeding for which suggested themselves TO
ny mind, thou! have no doubt of the power OF the
Senate to appoint committee OF It's own body 10 obtsin
information when proper presented Tor lis
sdea,on understand 10 be the duty of the President
OF The United States that the laws faithfully
rcued and the duty OF the legislative body to that
proper laws passed; and il this body discovers def
cheney IN the information IN relation to our legislative
duuts-no our advisory dues-abd we can Obtain TIA,
information by committee oil our own body better lhan
In any other way have no doubt OF the proprely of
appointing committee. Then the whole question: in
mind, IN reference to the proposed comnlee, is as 10
the importance OF the information Charges have been
made against public officer He is amenahle by impeach
ment 10 this body. The House OF Representatives has
much interest the Senate in restioa 10 the perform
ance OF his duties by that officer The duty is devolved
upon the President OF the United States 10 that the
desired to be taken by this body have objection TO
taking the proper means 10 obtain information. My
principal objee, in rising is 10 propose an amendment
II Is iesiTabie-and know il Is desirable to the whole
country-thai correct information should be had in refer
ence TO this alleged fraud, would suggest that small
difference in the compen and expenses should
| be looked TO Therefore | would move TO strike out
zone" and insert 'hree," so TO have committee Of
three appointed TO take the estmony and then whatever
may be the OF the Senate 10 the proprety OF
appointing committee, l have no choice IN reference
/ 10 i.
The PRESIDING OFFICER, (Mr. BADerR) The
Chsir would suggest lat the amendment should be put
in a different form. The resolution IS that the Commit
tee Indian Affairs delegate one OF their number 10 per-
Mr. ADAMS | move 10 strike all that out and make
it read. that committee OF three be appointed by the
pc siding officer TO perform the duty.
Mr. HUN TER Here two laws in relation TO the
power OF committees to administer oaths. They have
D1o" h-"ds 20 and dssre TO refer 10 them; Ibe
first s the law OF May 3, l79s, which provides that the
President of the Senate. the Speaker of the House OF
Representatives, a chairman OF Committee OF the
Whole, or chairman OF a select committee OF either
house shall be empowered to administer oahs or ahTma
tons 10 witnesses any under their examination
The next act, approved Feb g. 1877 10 extend the
provisions OF that act provides that the chairman OF
standing committee, either OF the House of Repre-
senIatyes OF the Senate OF the United States shall be
empowered 10 administer oaths or afhumaoas TO wit
any under their examination and any per
son who shall be guilty OF perjury before such committee
shall be liable 10 the pains, penalties and disabilities
prescribed for the punishment of the crime OF wtu and
corrupt perjury 40 that the power lsexpressy confined
the presiding officers of the two houses and the chair
OF committees
Mr. TOUCEY am moi satisfied to vote for this del
eganon OF power by committee OF this body. am not
satisfied that the delegate OF The committee would have
any power whatever to compel the attendance OF wit
nes.es. am not satisfied that If the oath admins
tered and violated, that the party could be indicted for
perjury. And If witusss 10 refuse an
inquiry OF the delegate OF the Committee on Indian Al
fairs do think there would he any power commit
him Tor his refusal 10 answer IL, therefore, were in
favor OF sitting during the OF Congress
should still be opposed, Tor the reason have suggested
to committee organized in this manner.
But sir IN made the duty OF the President OF the Uni
ted States that the laws faithfully executed
and treaties the supreme laws OF the land II is there
fore his duty, under the constitution, to make the inquiry
and there is bureau OF the executive department. TO
which that inquiry properly belongs. Nor am satisfied
that there would be any evil arising from the delay We
shall not be here until the session OF Congress TO
lake advantage OF any information which the committee
may obtain. The next session will be the long one and
il this is investigation which ought 90 on, and If
the executive departments shall neglect TO make the ia
vestigation, shall then have the power for
any action TO make the inquiries before we IN thu body
the members of the other House, could act upon any
information which might be obtained by this mode OF
vestigaton which proposed. hope, therefore, the
whole inquiry will be suspended until we meet again.
Mr. PETIT. IL seems 10 me that II Is due alike to
the Senate and TO the accused Governor Ramsay that
this investigation should 20 at the earliest day II is
all true that it may 90 at the next session, which
will be the long session; but there will be nothing done
during the first winter months and sbong IN the sum
mer will be rather unpleasant and wearsome under
taking, besides the difficulty OF dragging witnesses from
Minnesota here 10 give their testimony when two or
three might be there for the purpose OF taking
the testimony II Governor Ramsay innocent of these
charges, as trust il may turn out he ,s-and do not
elepd Ia on a alas honorable |