Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-07-09
House Of Representatives.


House Of Representatives.
The SPEAKER laid before the House com
munication from the Secretary of the Treasury
relative to the construction Of The custom house
at San Francisco. Referred 10 the Committee OF
Ways and Means.
PRIVATE BILLS
number of private bills were referred to the
appropriate committees, and two OF the same char
acter passed.
On motion by Mr.. THURSToN, the House re-
solved itselfinto Committee Of the Whole on the
private calendar. Mr. STANTON, ofKentucky, was
called 10 preside.
THE COLT PATENT.
The bill 10 extend the patent Of Samuel Colt for
Improvement in firearms taken up. II II au-
thorizes the Commissioner OF Patents TO grant 10
him, his heirs, executors, administrators and as
signs from the twenty-fifth of February, 1857, for
the term OF seven years thereafter, the full and
elusive right and privilege Of making construct
ing, using, and vending to others to be used his
improvement in firearms, a description and speci-
fcation whereof are contained in the schedule :
nexed letters patent issued 10 said Colt on the
25th of February 1885, and extended TO the 25th
of February 1857, by the Commissioner of Patents
provided that the government oftne United States
shall have at all times full right TO make and man.
uiacture the said firearms, according TO said pat
eEt, in all their own armories for military and
naval purposes.
Mr.. CLINGMAN said, that before a vote should
be taken on this bill, he desired there should be a
call of the House. From the extraordinary means
resorted TO, he had no doubt that very large sums
Of money have been offered TO induce gentlemen
either 10 vote for the bill or absent themselves if
they could not do so. He had, however, no reason
10 suppose that any gentleman had been influenced
by such considerations.
Mr.. PRATT wished 10 know Of the gentleman
what reason he had TO make that charge.
Mr. CLINGMAN had no objection TO the gen
tleman asking the question. II the House should
think proper 10 raise committee ADMINISTRATION,
he would be ready to give an answer. No
sum had been offered TO him, nor did he say money
had been offered to members themselves; but
from facts obtained in three different ways and
from gentlemen wholly reliable, he had no doubt
oil the fact that money has been offered 10 very
near friends of members 1t was well known
that Congress has suffered from allegations OF this
sort, and therefore he thought il would be very
well to have call of the House before taking the
vote. Theirs was no color, reason, or pretext for
the passage Of the measure. $3.50
Mr.. SEWARD said the gentleman should give
the names and facts, if members have been offered
money to vote for this BILL .ef
Mr.. CLINGMAN remarked, he had stated dis
tlnctly that money might have been offered 10
particular friends Of members. If the gentleman
wanted TO raise committee of inquiry he (Mr.
CLINGMAN) would be ready 10 communicate what
he had heard from the two members of Congress,
and what he had learned from other sources.
Mr.. SEWARD If a gentleman knows ofsuch
proceedings, and does not expose them, he stands
condemned before the judgment Of the country
Mr.. CLINGMAN. Raise committee
Mr.. SEWARD. II is not necessary TO do that
as understood the gentleman to say large sums
have been offered TO members, either moi TO vote
for the bill or absent themselves
Mr.. CLiNGMAN. do not say money has been
offered to members, but 10 individuals who are
supposed 10 have influence over them.
Mr.. SEWARD repeated, there was no occa-
sion for special committee
Mr.. LETCHER gave notice that as soon as
the Committee should rise, he would offer a reso
luton 10 appoint a committee toinqure whether
money or other illegal and improper means have
been resorted to- with view 10 procure the pas
sage OF the bill extending the patent of Samuel
Colt for seven years, or whether money, or other
illegal and improper means have been used to pro-
cure the passage of other bills through Congress.
Mr.. THURSTON submitted few remarks in
favor Of the passage Of the bill.
Mr.. STEVENS, of Michigan, in advocating the
measure, asked why all this opposition TO the ex-
tension Of the patent? And why did the gentle
man from North Carolina (Mr. CLINeMANj make
remarks rejecting on the honor and integrity of
this House: that large sums of money have been
offered, directly or indirectly, 10 influence their
votes! God forbid that he should express any
doubt as TO the gentleman's honesty; but surely,
from all the evidence before this House, the gen.
tleman from North Carolina, has had his virtue
tempted as other gentlemen who in favor OF
this bill have had their virtue tempted.
Mr.. BLISS, in allusion TO the remarks of Mr..
CLINGMAN, said that this bill before the House
with more Than ordinary fairness, and that there
was no reason for supposng any dishonesty had
been exercised concerning it. He expressed his
views in favor Of the measure. ~.
Mr.. ZOLLICOFFER said he had listened with
regret 10 the remarks of Mr. CLINGMAN, implying
corruption against members. There was not a
gentleman here but whose reputation is involved
in the insinuatlon, II was due TO the House and
the country that there should be an investigation
into the charges. He, therefore, suggested that the
49,.
of postponing action the bill until future day
Mr.. CUTTING briefly argued in opposition 10
the bill.
Mr.. LETCHER remarked that nobody either
representing Mr.. Colt or the other side had said
anything TO HIM on this subject. He had made
up his opinion on this and similar applications on
the principle that special legislation has become
the curse of the times
Mr.. STANTON, Of Tennessee, stated the rea-
sons why he should vote for the bill.
Mr.. McMULLEN, regarding the firearms of
Mr.. Colt as a grand discovery. and as rejecting
credit on the inventive skill OF the country said
that he should give to the bill his support
Mr.. PRATT advocated the extension OF the
patent, stating, among other things, that Mr.. Colt
has not money enough TO complete the works
which he has begun, in Connecticut, for the man
ufacture Of arms. This was in reply TO a remark
that Mr. Colt has amassed millions of dollars by
his invention
Without coming TO a conclusion on the subject,
the committee rose. >
Mr.. LETCHER introduced the following reso-
luton:
Resolved, That committee OF seven members be sp-
pointed TO inquire whether money has been offered 10
MEMBERS or other Illegal improper used 10 in
duce members 10 aid Ia securing the passage defeat
the bill 10 extend Colts patent for years. and also
whether money has been offered 70 members or other e
gal improper used, either directly indirectly
the passage defeat Of any bill through Congress
and that said committee shall have power per-
and papers, with authority TO examine witnesses
OATH
Mr. JONES, of Louisiana, moved that the rcso-
luton be laid on the table but the motion did not
prevail.
Il was then passed
The Speaker subsequently appointed the fol-
lowing named gentlemen as the committee
Messrs LETcHER, THURsToN, CLINeMAN, ELLIOT,
of Massachusetts, EDDY, CUTTING, and ZoLL
COPPER.
The House adjourned.
CARE MAYA private letter from friend at
the Ocean House, Cape May, dated July Z, says:
The boats from Philadelphia 10 this place arc
hr.o rna. L..