The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-12
MONDAY, MARCH as, 1853.
ALEXANDER RAMSAY.
been publls


The Senate resumed the consideration OF the follow.
ing Eesouuon which had been submitted by Mr.. ak
the 2ls instant:
Rs.oiosd That the Committee on Indsn Affairs be, and
they hereby authorized delegate OF their number
10 proceed during the recess of Congress-
testimony the reference SAID commit
touching certain frauds alleged TO have been commit
led by Alexander Ramsay and othess making payment
OF moneys bands OF the Sioux Indians; aad that
the member OF said committee go 10 be delegated have
power to proceed points nay be necessary and
persons and papers, and witnesses and
take their testimony and certify the same wh other rToois
to said commee tor their report thereon al the next ses
OF Congress.
The question pending the amendment offered
by Mr.. ADAMS, to modify the resolution SO as 10 read
Received THO, Of three be appointed by the
OF Congress- take testimony touching frauds
alleged have been committed by Alexander Ramsay and
the Sioux Indsss and that said COMMITTEES have power to
proceed such points may be necessary, and to send
Tor persons aud pers and witnesses and lake
testimony, and report thereon the next session Of
Congress
Mr. HUNTER think. Mr.. President, that the amend.
ment better than the original proposition. seems to
that If to have this Investigate al all, il
is better that should be conducted by committee OF The
Senate than by single individual; but, sir, object 10
the policy oil having committees to s during The recess
not 10 this committee particular bot 10 any aud to all
This resolution involves some very grave considerations
think that this is practice which is likely 10 involve
IN dsagreeable disputes with The House SIR has been
manifest for years past we have all had occasion
TO know, and during The last Two three years IN par
ucular, that the House has shown disposition 10 inter
iere with the app OPERATIONS which thought necessary
Tor our contingent fond What are the powers which
II is proposed TO ntrus 10 Ibis committee IN relation
10 this fond Are they 10 be allowed 10 raise what
questions they peae and 10 send Tor witnesses aud collect
testimony Are they 10 pay these witnesses Tor their
expenses, and to have 10 compel their aendance
Are all the expenses which must be involved IN this
oil procedure be betrayed out OF the contingent
fund oil the Senator How are they themselves TO be
paid and by whom Is the President of the Senate
authorized to pay these bills, or the Secretary OF the
Senae is the whole matter 10 be decided by the chair
OF the committee himself We See Mr.. President,
how many embarrassing and difficult questions arise IN
relation 10 this matter Suppose we were to continue all
our committees during the recession suspect there are
very few of them which could not hnd profitable occu-
paton-as il would involve the Recessy OF paying them
out OF the contingent fund, they being committees OF the
Senate Alone is j, TO be supposed that the House would
not claim The right 10 interfere with an important matter
OF that sort
Besides, Mr.. President believe that there is objsc.
ton TO such things in the popular feeling throughout the
country. think IS calculated to bring into dsrepue
IN the public estimation and should regard that
serious calamity We are but sixty-two Individuals it
is lrue but we have voice in the total appropriations
for the service OF the country amounting TO fifty
millions OF dollars II in respects powers are
limited than those OF The House with regard 10 the
originator OF certain bills, yet in other respects
have greater share than they have IN the legislation Of
the country How mportanis II, therefore, that should
preserve appearances-that should preserve the
spec and OF the country and never do anything
which might have the tendency 10 bring suspicion upon
US that were seeking by indirect to increase
intention OF any committee. | believe that none OF our
committees would seek employment during the
unless they believed that the public interest required il;
but sir cannot shut my eyes 10 The manner in which
these things viewed outside and believe IL is due
the character OF the Senate to resist everything which
might be calculated TO throw upon shadow of sus.
pIcIon.
Nor do the necessity, Mr. President, OF any com
mee looking into these things II these investg atoms
to be made during the recess Of Congress, il will be
far better pass laws in relation TO Them, and suffer the
Investigations be made under Executive supervision
The Executive could appoint proper officers, and have
the Investigations made under the authority and the sane
lion OF law, which would be much better than to leave
unlimited discretion in The hands OF a committee of
The Senate, 10 SIT during the recess Do our legislative
powers continue after the Senate adJourns Can we com
munlcale legislative functions 10 portion OF this body
exercised after the Senate has adoumed Il seems
very doubtful know this has been done in some
cases. such the Committee The Library and the Com
mttee on Printing bat these are small matters which
do public attention. They passed sub s,snfis
they scquiesced IN but when comes 10 appont.
ing 1any committees have been in the habit of
appointing st during the recess, 1t becomes graver
question aud deserves examination. think that during
the last had something like four OF these com
mttlees and have no doubt, unless we check il now
the practice will grow and shall have the number OF
these committees increasing at each succeeding recess
il only for that that feel bound to oppos. 4, IN
THE case
Air. COOPER. | am member Of the Committee on