The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-03-25
SPECIAL SESSION OF THE SENATE
THuRsDAys March "a, 1853.
ALLEsED FRAUDS.

.
the same with other proofs to said committee for
their report thereon at the next session of Con
gress.
MIR. HUNTER said he objected to a committee
sitting in the recess, and much more to member
only exercising the power proposed by the resolu-
ton. Was the Senate to send its members singly
about the country to take testimony? A precedent
more dangerous than this could not.be set.
Mr.. WALKER remarked, in explanation that
the committee could proceed no further in their
investigation without the testimony in question:
and hence the resolution was offered It was an
important matter, and should be thoroughly ex-
amned s{s
Mr.. SEWARD inquired what was the nature Of
the charges.
Mr.. WALKER stated, in substance, that under
the treaty over half million of dollars were placed
in the hands of Governor Ramsey to disburse
among tie Indians. The charge is that for this
money he obtained paper funds from New York,
brought it to Minnesota, and employed third
person to make the payment to the Indians; that
in making this payment the agent imposed upon
the Indians, subecting them to a loss of fifteen
per cent; that the money was not fairly paid to
the haff-breeds, while money was withheld from
Others He said he had lived long on the frontiers
and knew thesimportance of satisfying the Indians
that we intend to look after their affairs. Z
Mr.. BRODHEAD remarked he had heard a great
deal about those charges against Governor Ram
sey. tf#Ea
Mr.. WALKER explained. He did not mean to
intimate any thing against Governor Ramsey, but
"
Examining into the charges and taking testimony
Mr. BRODHEAD observed that Governor Ram
sey is native of Pennsylvania. He was formerly
clerk to the House of Representatvesoft that State
Der of the United States House of Representatives
He thought it due to say that during that time
Mr.. Ramsey maintained good character for in
tegrity. He would say nothing about the gentle
mans political principles, because be differed
from him ON that subject. 1t was proper the
charges should be investigated; it was due to the
accused. The Senate must either dismiss the
charges, the investigation must proceed, and
it could not proceed in ony other way than that
now proposed
Mr.. SEWARD knew Governor Ramsey well,
and could not believe that the charges against him
are true. II he knew him more imperfectly, still
be would hold himself bound to disbelieve them
until they were established. He concurred with
the two honorable Senators who last addressed the
body After the statement of the Senator from
Wisconsin, (Mr. WAIKER,) he did not see how
the Senate could refuse to grant the power asked
by the committee. If the Senate suspend the in
vestgation now the matter will go over alto
.gether, and delay will amount to postponement
until the subject shall become stale and obsolete.
Mr.. HUNTER remarked that Senators argued
as though he mad objected to the investigation; but
il was the mole Of investigation to which he bad
objected. He thought it a matter of Executive
inquiry during the recess, and not for single
member of the eommttee of the Senate. The power
should not be exercised in the manner proposed.
ne repeated, ne opposed the res0lQtlOn because OF
the dangerous precedent it would set.
Mr. WALKER could not see the force of the Sen
ator's remarks. The course proposed would be
satisfactory to both sides. Mr.. Ramsey demands
the investigation, and says he is innocent; the
other party say he is guilty. 1t is to enable the
the delegation Of the power specified in the reso
luton.
Messrs MALLORY. BUTLER, ToUCEY,
WALKER, CHASE, PETIT, and ADAMS, con
Al
to avoid objections which had been urged, moved
that the Chair appoint committee of three mem.
bers TO take testimony during the recess in the
matter to which reference waa made; pending
which,
The Senate went into an Executive session
PUBLIC BUSINESS.
Mr.. PETIT moved that when the Senate ad-
journ it adjourn until Monday next.
. MIR. HOUSTON trusted the Senator would not
press the motion, for, between this and Monday,
they would have ample time to act upon nomina-
tions and treaties. He was willing to sit here un
til they should get through with every particle of
business, and was even willing to listen to debates
without solitary bite. On Monday there would
certainly be no quorum here, and he did not de.
sire take sixteen dollars without rendering ser.
vice for it. He would rather be on the road home
a thousand times He believed they were Just
trihing with their duties when they adjourned
over from day to day with no good result; and to
the very last he would resist an adjournment be-
yond reasonable time. .*
Mr.. BRIGHT thought that the public business
would be expedited by adjourning over until Sa-
turday next. They had not quorum because
gentlemen found themselves compelled to go to
the other end OF the avenue to attend to private
business.
Mr.. CHASE said this was an Executive session,
called for the purpose of considering such business
as the President might lay before them. 1t was
not usual to adjourn sine die until the Executive
lntImates that he has nothing more for them to do
Mr. H0TJCT0N fho
ator in his remark about business at the public
Departments. If the object was to aid the Admin.
istration, the Senate ought to sit day and night
If they adjourn over, the Departments would be
SO besieged that they would not be able to do
any thing Laughter. They. would be in a
bad fix on Saturday if the Senators were turned
loose on Friday. .
Mr. CHASE moved that when the Senate ad.
journ it adjourn to meet on Saturday.
Mr.. MASON said that the experience of yester-
day and to day showed that unless the Senate sit
from day to daythe business from the last session,
which they were engaged to day, would go
over until the next session.
Mr. BUTLER could assure gentlemen that when
the President shall say he has no further commu-
nications to make the treaties will sleep until next
Mr.. BADGER remarked that he was a regular
attendant, but he would not be here, for one, If the
Senate did not adjourn over. -
The question was taken on adjourning until
Saturday-ayes %, noes No quorum.
Mr.. MASON moved that the Senate adjourn;
but the motion did not prevail.
Mr.. PETIT moved that when the Senate ad-
journ il adjourn until Monday-ayes 10, noes !.
No quorum.
Mr.. HOUSTON. According to the rules, a
member can't vote on both sides. Laughter.
MIR. TOUCEY said there was no probability of
finishing the business of this session before the
middle of next week. and wished to adjourn until
Saturday. He trusted Senators would not absent
themselves, thus leaving the body without quo
rum.
The question was taken on the motion to adjourn
till Saturday, and again no quorum voted-ayes
81, noes g.
Z Mr. BRIGHT moved that the Sergeant-at Arms
be directed to bring in the absentees. FIX
+ Mr.. w ELLER moved, but the Senate refused,
TO adjourn.
6 Mr. Pc rTIT moved that when the Senate ad
journ it adjourn to meet on Monday next
d Mr.. WELLER called for a division on the vote.
Mr.. PETIT. There is a quorum here.
The CHAIR. quorum is not here.
Mr.. PETIT. There some members in the
lobby. 81 5z's'#'F
Mr.. BRIaHr's motion was agreed to; and
e The CHAIR directed the Sergeant. at Arms to
go In quest of the absentees
Mr.. BUTLER You could not find them if you
search about till midnight.
Mr. SEWARD moved that when the Senate adj
journ it adjourn until Monday hext, and appealed
to the Senator from California (Mr. WELLER) to
withdraw his opposition.
Mr.. BUTLER repeated, the termination Of this
session depends ON the President of the United