New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-07-17
CONGRESS


WASHINGTON, July s.
SENATE The bill authorizing the Commits
sioner Of Patents to grant an extension patent
| TO Samuel Jolt, for seven years from the 25th
OF February next, Tor Improvement in fire arms,
coming up,
Mr.. Clngman, Of North Carolina, said b.
fore the vote is taken on the bill there should
be call of the House From extraordinary
/ means resorted to, he had no doubt very large
sums Of money have been offered to gentlemen
TO induce them either to vote for the bill or alb
sent themselves. He had no reason to suppose
any gentleman would be influenced by such
! considerations
Mr.. Pratt, of Connecticut, said he should like
to know what reasons the gentleman had for
making that statement.
Mr., Clingman had no objections to the ques-
ton. If the House shall think proper to raise
o committee to investigate the case, he should
be ready to give an answer. Nothing had been
/ offered to him, and he did not know whether
1 money had been offered to members themselves,
but from information wholly reliable, he had no
doubt money had been offered to very near
friends Of members. It is well known Congress
has suffered from allegations Of this sort, and
have a call Of the House before taking vote
There was no reason, color or pretext for the
passage of the bill.
Mr.. Seward, Of Georgia-The gentleman
should give the names and facts. If money had
been offered to members, the particulars should
not be suppressed.
Mr.. Clingman-I stated distinctly that money
might have been offered to particular friends Of
members. Ii the gentleman wants the facts,
let him raise committee of Investigation. ]
have seen the charges in the newspapers, and
two members have stated to me that large sums
have been offered for particular purposes.
Mr.. Seward-If the gentleman knows the fact
and does not expose it, he stands condemned
before the Judgment Of the country.
| Mr.. Clingman-Raise committee
i Mr.. Seward-It is not necessary. under
stand the gentleman to say large sums have
been offered for gentlemen either not to vote or
i to absent themselves.
/ Mr.. Clingman-I don't say money has been
4 offered to members, but to individuals who are
supposed to have influence over members II
the gentleman will !raise q committee will go
before it.
| Mr.. Seward-Thers is no occasion for q COM
mittee
] Mr.. Letcher, of Virgins, said, as soon as the
committee should rise he would offer resolu-
| tion for the appointment Of q select committee
to inquire whether money or other illegal and
improper means have been used to procure the
passage Of the bill extending Colts patent for
seven years, or whether money or other illegal
l and improper means have been used to procure
the passage Of this or other bills through Con-
gress.
Mr.. Seward understood the first charge of
Mr.. Clingman's to be against members of Con-
gress, either directly or indirectly. 1t was not
improper to pay claim agents or counsel
Mr., Thurston, of Rhode Island, briefly argued
| in favor of the extension of the patent.
Mr.. Stevens, Of Michigan, in abiding to the
remark Of Mr.. Clingman, said it was charge
on the honor and integrity Of this House; God
| forbid he should express the least doubt of the
gentleman's honesty, but surely, from all the
evidence before the House, the gentleman has
had his virtue tempted as much as other gen
| tlemen who are favorable to this bill have had
| their virtue tempted. Where is the evidence
that members have been bribed Point out the
| man. He defended the bill
Mr.. Bliss, of Ohio, said no bill had ever been
brought forward with more fairness, and urged
its passage
Mr.. zollicofer, of Tennessee, regretted to
hear the remarks Of Mr.. Clingman, implying
corruption. There is not member but whose
reputation is involved in the insinuation. 1t
was due to the House that an investigation Of
the charges should be made. He suggested that
the Committee rise, in order that the considera-
ton of the bill may be postponed, and Mr.
Leteler have an opportunity to introduce his
resolution.
Mr. Cutting, of New York, replied to some
remarks of Mr.. Stevens, of Michigan, and
stated reasons why he should vote against the
bill.
Mr.. McMnllen, Of Virginia, said he intended
to vote for it, regarding Colts arms aa grand
discovery, rejecting credit on our country. If
he was q peace-man, like Gerrit Smith, he
should oppose the bill. Whenever be should en-
gage in private contest, he wanted the real
instrument--one that would not flash in the
pan, or fail to bring down his antagonist.
Mr. Pratt, representing the district in which
Colonel Colt resided, made q brief explanation
concerning the condition of that gentleman's
peeuniary concerns, saying, that SO far from
making millions of dollars by his invention, he
has not the means to complete the works which
he has commenced in Connecticut. lie was sur
prised at the remarks of Mr.. Clingman, and
asked the gentleman whether he had any refer
ence to him. [Laughter.]
Mr. Clingman said he took great pleasure in
responding. He had never heard the gentle
| mans name mentioned in that connection. His
desire was to call public attention to the extra
ordinary pressure in the lobby to act on mem
| bers of Congress, and wanted to break up the
lobbying system.
Mr. Pratt said the explanation was perfec
satisfactory, and asked whether there had
been lobbying against the bill.
The Committee rose without concluding the
subject.
Two private bills were passed during the day.
Mr.. Letcher asked leave to offer the following
resolution
s.Resolced, That Committee of seven mem
bers be appointed to inquire whether money has
been offered to members, OF other illegal or i'm
proper means used to induce members to aid in
requiring the passage Of the bill to extend Colts
patent for seven years. Also, whether money has
been offered to members, or other illegal or i'm
proper means used, either directly or Indirectly,
| to secure the passage Of any bill through Con-
gress, and the said Committee shall have power
to send for persons and papers, with authority
to examine witnesses under oath"
Mr.. Walsh Democrat) of New York, objected
on the ground that it would end in smoke. If
he was certain any thing would come of the reso-
| luton, he would withdraw the objection-wh
he did, on the assurance of Mr.. Letcher that the
matter should be probed
| Mr.. Seward-Let the gentleman make the
| resolution applicable to both sides-the aiders
as well as defeaters of bills through Congress.
Mr.. Letcher-I have no objection; will make
| it as broad as the gentleman wishes.
| The amendment was made as suggested.
Mr.. Seward moved the postponement Of the
resolutions till Tuesday next.
Mr.. Joness( Democracy Of Louisiana, moved to
| lay it on the table.
Both motions failed, and the resolution was
adopted; and in pursuance thereof the Speaker
| appointed the following committee: Messrs.
Letcher, Thurston, Clingman, Eliot, Of Mas
sachusetts, Eddy, Cutting and Zollicofer. Ad-
| journed.
Horror UHosb;,, ofo., SATURDAY. TuIv 8 NV