Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-07-15
CONGRESS.
-
The Senate was not in session to-day.

|
number of private bills were referred to tne
appropriate committees and two of the same cnar
acter passed
On motion of Mr.. Thurston, the house resolved it
| self into committee of the whole on the private
calendar.
The bill to extend the patent of Samuel Colt fol
! Improvement in firearms was taken up. 1t author
ises the commissioner of patents to grant to him. his
heirs, executors administrators, and assigns, from
the twenty fifth of February, 1857 for the term Oh
seven years the eater, the full and exclusive right
and privilege of making, constructing, using, ana
| vending to others to be used, his improvement IN
firearms description and specification whereof are
contained in the schedule annexed to letters patent
issued to said Colt on the 25th of February, 1886,
| and extended to the 25th February, 1857, by the
commissioner of patents; provided that the govern,
ment of the United States shall have at all time full
right TO make and manufacture the said firearms,
according to said patent, in all their armorles,
for military and naval purposes
Mr.. Cingman said, that before vote should be
taken on this BILL he desired there should be call
of the House. From the extraordinary means re-
sorted to- he had doubt but that very large sums
of money have been offered to induce gentlemen Ell
Their to vote for the bill absent themselves if they
could not do He had how ever, reason to sup
pose that any gentleman had been influenced by such
considerations.
Mr. Pratt wished to know of the gentleman what
reason he had to make that charge
Mr. Clingman had no objection to the gentleman
asking the question. If the House should think
proper to raise committee ofinvestgation he would
fercd to him. nor did ne say money had been offered
to members themselves; but, from facts obtained in
three different ways and from gentlemen wholly re-
liable he had no doubt of the fact that money has
been offered to very friends ofmembers. 1t was
we'll known that Congress had suffered from allega
tions of this Sort and therefore he thought it would
be very well to have call of the House before ia
king the vote. There was no color, reason, or pre-
text for the passage of the measure
Mr.. Seward said the gentleman should give the
names and facts, ifmembers have been offered mon
ey to vote for this BILL
Mr.. Cngman remarked he had stated distinctly
that money might have been offered to particular
friends of members If the gentleman wanted to,
raise committee of enquiry, he CMr. Clingman)
would be ready to communicate what he had heard
from two members of Congress, and what he had
learned from other sources.
Mr.. Seward-If a gentleman knows of such pro-
cecdings and does not expose them, he stands con-
demned before the judgment of the country
Mr.. Cngman-Raisc committee.
Mr.. Seward.-It is unnecessary to do that, as l
understood the gentleman to say large sums have
been offered to MEMBERS either not to vote for the
bill or absent themselves
Mr. Cngman-I do not say money has been Of
fcred to members, but to individuals who are sup
posed to have influence oyer them.
Mr.. Seward repeated there was no occasion for
special committee.
Mr. Letcher gave notice that as soon as the COM
mittee should rise he would offer resolution to
appoint committee to inquire whether money
other illegal and improper means have been reSorted
with a view to procure the passage OF the bill
tending the patent of Samuel Colt for seven years.
or whether money, or other illegal and improper
MEANS have been used to procure the passage of
other bills through Congress.
Mr. Stevens, of Michigan, in advocating the meas
ure, asked why all this opposition to the extension
of the patent? And why did the gentleman from
North Carolina (Mr. CGngman) make remarks re-
hecting the honor and integrity of this House;
that large of money have been offered directly
or indirectly, to influence their votes! God forbid
he should doubt gentle
mans honesty but surely, from all the evidence
before this House, the gentleman from North Caro-
lima has had his virtue tempted as other gentlemen
who are in favor of this bill have had their virtue
tempted.
Mr. Bliss in allusion to the remarks of Mr.. Cling
man, said that this bill came before the House with
than ordinary fairness, and that there was no
reason for snpposing any dishonesty had been
erciSed concerning 1t. He expressed his views In
favor of the measure.
Mr. Zollicoffer said he had listened with regret to
the remarks of Mr. Clingman, implying corruption
against members. There was not gentleman here
but whose reputation is involved in the insinuaton.
II due to the House and the country that there
should be an investigation INTO the charges. He,
therefore, suggested that the committee rise, with
view of reporting in favor of postponing action
the bill until future day.
Mr.. Letcher remarked that nobody either repre-
sentng Mr.. Colt or the other side had said anything
to him on this subject, He had made up his opin-
ion this and similar applications the principle
that special legislation has become the curse of the
times.
Without coming to a conclusion on the subject
the committee rose
Mr. Letcher introduced the following resolution
ResolUed, That a committee of seven members be
appointed to inquire whether money has oeen offer
ed to members, other illegal or improper means
used to induce members to aid in securing the pas
sage defeat of the bill to extend Colts patent for
seven years, and Also whether money has boon Of
fered to members, other illegal improper
used either directly indirectly to secure the pas
sage or defeat of any bill through Congress and
persons and papers, with authority to examine wit
nesses on oath.
Mr. Jones, of Louisiana, moved that the resolution
be laid the table but the motion did not prevail.
1t was then passGA.
The Speaker subsequently appointed the follow |
ing named gentlemen as the committee Messrs. |
Letcher, Thurston, Clingman, Elliott of Massachu- |
CONGRESS MONDAY
SENATE-The bill constituting Tuscumba, in Ala |
Oama, port of delivery and the bill authorizing the
survey of a tract of land in the Territory of Min
nesota belonging to Half-br and the Sioux ma
ion of Indians were considered and passed.
The homestead bill was taken up and debated I'M
il nearly four o'clock; and, after executive ses-
sion, the Senate adjourned. sE fts- .--E
HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES. The Speaker laid be-
ore the House, from the Treasury Department, me-
norial from merchants and others of San Francisco
sking for appropriation of 81 100 600 for the
ion of a custom house building in that city which
vas referred to the Committee of Ways and Means
IN motion of Mr.. Clingman that gentleman was ex-
used from serving the 'Colt- pAtent' select COM
nttee. The joint resolution increasing the pay of
he persons employed in the legislative department
Il government twenty per cent. passed by vote
+ 100 to 90. The bill appropriating $4,000 for
- a.