Washington sentinel., 1854-01-05


most eminent citizens OF the State OF New York
with having violated the official trusts that had
been delivered 10 him for execution charges him,
sir with base misdemeanor, in having prostituted
his high Office for political purpose. II that ac-
cusation be true, we ought 10 know it if il be un-
founded, think we ought 10 interpose shield
between private citizen and the head of the
government.
One word more, and then will allow the gen.
lleman from North Carolina 10 PROFOUND any fur
ther questions 10 me. This accusation that is
now made, seeks 10 place the removal of Mr..
Bronson from Office, not upon the ground of in
subordination merely, but upon the further dis
tinc ground that he had been guilty of the INSIDE
meanor charged against him in this article; and
il obtains the high sanction of purporting 10 be
made as coming from the President of the United
States, and being his justification for this act of
removal.
Now, when charge of this description is made
by mere newspaper, no matter how respectable,
agree that the citizen is not to be put on his
trial on that nccount; but when the charge is
backed by the allegation that the Presde2t of the
United States shoulders the responsibility and
Justifes the act because the officer was guilty of
these high crimes and misdemeanors--if the fact
appear by the papers that call for, and such other
information as shall demand when those papers
come in, that he was removed by the President of
the United States, under the conviction and the
belief that Mr.. Bronson had been guilty of these
high ofcnces--then shall call upon the House TO
SO that there shall be no responsibility the
Speaker--where it ought not to be--that we may
investigate the fact, whether it be true that Mr..
Bronson is the corrupt man that he is now charged
with being; or whether or not the President OF
the United States has been deluded and deceived
by persons hanging around him?
Now, Will say, In answer 10 the gentleman
from North Carolina, Mr.. CLINGMAN, that pro-
pose TO take further action if when get the pa
pers in answer to my CALL further action be neces-
sary What that action may be, of course must
depend altogether on the information that the re-
solution before the House, and another one may
elicit.
Mr.. CLINGMAN. / am not sure whether
entirely understand the gentleman from New York.
II his object be simply to vindicate the character
of distinguished citizen of his State-as / think
that the House of Representatives has more inn
portant duties to discharge than that--I should
certainly decline TO give my support to his motion
leave individuals to defend themselves as they
may find necessary, either in the public prints or
otherwise. If that be his only object, | should
not vote to entertain his proposition; but if un
derstand that he has reason to believe that there
is an officer of this government against whom il
may be necessary for us 10 introduce an impeach-
ment, or if he believes that abuses have grown up
in the management of the executive departments
which require legslation-ifh he has sufficient rea-
son, as member of this House, on his own re-
sponslbity, 10 make movement having such OBJ
jects in view, will not oppose him; on the con-
trary shall feel bound to give him my support.
But am not willing that the House shall step In
to vindicate anybody. and become the mere fryer
Of attacks on any gentleman If q charge be made
agains member, affecting his official conduct, it
might be necessary TO institute proceedings. II,
however, mere slander was made in the news
papers against any member, should not feel dis
posed to pass resolution, or to institute proceed
ings Of the character indicated. Nearly all the
members who have been few years here have
had charges made against them, from time to time,
aud charges very injurious to their characters and
yet none Of them have felt il proper TO institute
proceedings to defend themselves. II the gentle
mans only object is 10 defend distinguished cit
zens Of New York -
Mr.. CUTTING / asked the gentleman to put
any further interrogatory to me that might occur
10 him. yielded for that purpose, and that alone
Mr.. CLINGMAN. My object was to let the
gentleman know the difficulty encountered in this
matter.
Mr.. CUTTING. ! prefer that the gentleman
shall put any interrogatory to me which may have
The tendency, in some degree to remove the diff
rulties depressing his mind. While shall regret
The want of his support must now call for the
previous question.
Mr.. oLDS. / move 10 lay the resolutions on
The table.
Mr. BISSELL. wish 10 ask the gentleman
from New York question; if ! understand him
Mr.. CUTTING. / would do il with great
deal of pleasure; for nothing can afford me more
Than to oblige the gentleman from Illinois, pro-
vided his inquiry be not an argument. Ii it
should be an argument shall object to il for this
reason-as desire to give reason for what / do,
have already stated that did not rise to debate
the resolution which offer
Mr.. BISSELL. only wish TO ask question.
If the House shall see an argument in that it shall
not be my fault.
The SPEAKER. The member from Illinois
Mr.. BIssELLl desires to ask question.
Mr. CUTTING. yield for the purpose Of en-
abling him TO PROFOUND an interrogatory.
Mr.. BlSSELL. The gentleman from New
York Mr.. CUTT1NGl informed US, on making the
motion, that as things stood with respect TO the
subject OF his resolution week ago all was right;
he country had pronounced its verdict, with which
ne seems TO have been satisfied. Now the ques-
ion wish to propose to him is Is it possible that
he publication of an article in political journal
1.-The country knowing the value TO be attached
o political newspaper--has made il necessary
or Congressto take up this subject so well settled
before the publication ofthe newspaper article?
Mr.. WARREN. move that the resolution be
aid on the table.
The SPEAKER. The gentleman from New
York has the floor.
Mr.. CUTTING. In answer to the inquiry put
~ the gentleman from Illinois, Mr.. BIssELL,l
hall say that, as general rule,
Mr.. WARREN. / rise to a question of order
The gentleman from New York Mr. CUTTINGl
las called for the previous question several times,
md simply want to know how often he can do So
] The SPEAKER. The gentleman from New
ion.
Mr.. CUTTING. With the gentleman from
arkansas. am most anxious to have the pre-
ious question put, and the fact that have pro-
osed it so often only shows how anxious am 10
ave it put | have Withdrawn the demand for
ne previous question simply because members of
ne House, for whom I entertain very great
espect have desired to put questions TO me
mong others the gentleman from Illinois, Mr..
'IssELL.l will say to that gallant member that,
s a general rule, / think that that which appears
4 newspapers, whether of high or low degree,
ught not to be referred to in parliamentary
ody like this; but, like all general rules, it seems
has exceptions.
We know, Mr.. Speaker, that the proprietor OF
,at paper is the public printer of this House.
We know that so far as it speaks in the name of
ne President, and for the President and in the
anne of the administration, and for the admin
'tration, that il speaks-not officially, but by
uthority-the views and sentiments of those high
ffcers. II therefore stands in that ambiguous
nd eauivocal position Of not being an official or
an like the French Monifeur nor yet again, the
aper to which we ascribe any sort of con-
ecton with the government II is in that middle
tate Of being neither the conceded organ, nor yet
ne which is repudiated It. beyond all doubt