The Empire County argus., 1854-02-04

Mr.. Peck, the Senator from Butte rose and read
the following statement
Mr.. PREsIDENT:-I rise to privileged question
Various rumors being afoat, concerning transac-
ton in which | was unwilling party, and from
the nature of things, of them being circulated
to my discredit take this method of setting be-
fore the public, in justice to myself the material
facts as they occurred. submit the following state
ment:
On Saturday, the 7th inst. was passenger on
the steamer Senator which left San Francisco on the
morning of that day, bound for Benica, with the
San Francisco Blues, and many others on board,
whose object was to attend the Inauguration of the
Governor. During the trip to Benicia, was intro
duccd by Mr. Seover of the firm of Selover & Sin
ton, San Francisco, to MI j. C. Palmer, of the firm Of
Palmer, Cook & Co., Bankers, San Francisco This
was the first time ever saw MI Palmer On the
downward trip in the afternoon of the same dav,
while alone with Palmer, he introduced the sub
ject OF the Senatorial election and asked me how |
stood upon that question. | told him was opposed
to bringing on the election and assigned as one rea-
son for my objection. that was Wing. He then
asked me how my roommate, Col. VIM. B. NAV,
Senator from the 18th District felt upon that ques-
ton. said to him. that probably Col May and
myself would vote together. He remarked that the
Wings were no way interested in the matter as it
was war between the two factions of the Democ-
ratio party; and then said if | would give nv vote
and use my influence with Col May in favor of
bringing on the election for u. S. Senator this win
ter, and in favor of MI Broderick's election, that
he MT. Palmer) would count me down five thou
sand dollars; and he added that he did not wish
Mr. d. {. Broderick to know of the offer he then
made. 10 his (Mr Palmer's) proposition, replied
in the most positive manner, will not sell my vote
cannot be bought" He said he did not consider
it an offer to buy me, and hoped would not look
upon it in that light that he did not want ANYBODY
to work for him for nothing. again refused, and
left him.
There were several additional lines to the state
ment commencing with on the Tuesday following,
(the 10th nst.,)" referring to some subsequent
transactions; but score was drawn through them I
MIR. luttie then proposed the following preamble
and resolution:
Whereas, several of the public journals have
within few days, published articles in which it
was announced that attempt has been made to
brbe Senator, member of this body. by the
cter OF money to secure his vote upon an important
measure now pending before this body and where
as, it is alike due to the dignity and purity of the
Senate that an investigation of the matter be had,
and the guilty, ifsuch there are be punished there
fore be it
Resolved, That special committee of three be
appointed for the purpose of investigating the said
charge OF bribery, and that said committee have
iu power to send for persons and papers, and that
said committee be directed to make their report to
the Senate with all convenient dispatch
Mr.. Mahoney moved that the committee should
be five instead of three
Mr. Iuttle--l am willing to accept the amend
ment.
Mr. Hager said that as this was an important
matter, he thought it best they should proceed in
open Senate, and in support of that view read the
following, with OF r extracts from the Legislative
Guide:
" Common fame is good ground for the House
to proceed by inquiry" (Resolutions House of
Commons Car. !, 1925: Rush, l.. parl us;
Grey l6, %, 90; Grey q, o. 81, 45)
MIR futile said that he had no objection to that
way OF proceeding his only object being to have
the matter fully investigated
The Senator then proceeded to comment with
considerable severity the extraordinary course
adopted by the Senator from Butte to allow twelve
days to eapse before he in his place and refer
red to the matter, while, in the meantime he had
taken care to have the facts alleged by him to have
occurred, to be published all over the State in the
newspapers. Those newspapers, since the
facts had been communicated to them, had been 60
ing on prejudicing the public mind, heaping Ossa
upon Pehon and it not until this had been
effected to the fullest extent possible that the Sen
ator rose in his seat to make any statement on the
subject.
The motion was then withdrawn, and the Presi-
dent directed Mr.. Palmer to stand up and hear the
charge read that was made against him before the
Senate by the Senator from Butte.
The published statement was then read, and at
its conclusion Mr.. Palmer stated that he pre-
pared to reply under oath. The President told him
that 1T was not necessary
Mr. Palmer said he preferred to answer under
oath. He was prepared to answer the whole sub
ject matter now either verbally or in writing.
Senator Crabb thought it was wrong MIR. Pal
mer would necessarily appear as a witness.
Senator Crenshaw thought MIR. Palmer should
hn a m aIZn .,.I