Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-07-24
POSTSCRIPT.
Tiiiitrx.rtiii,D C0NGipss-Fir.s sc-ioa.
WARRINGTON July Of
SENATE.


wAsHisaros, July 81.
SENATE.
Mr. Chase presented several petitions praying the sbo-
tion OF slavery In the District OF Columbia.
MT Geyer introduced bill fixing the time for tho meet
Ing Of the next Congress. Laid on the table.
The Homestead bill was then taken up.
hr Shield, said be had adhered to the House bin a.
long as there was any hopes for H. In ls46 when head
Of Land OAce, he bad recommended the graduation sy.
tenn as proposed IN this bill.
MT Cooper ssd he opposed 10 both the homestead
bill and the bill as Il nov cd.
lie wonld not bowever ho having paired or with
the Senator from New York.
Mr. Douglas said tho principle Of graduation and Of
Homestead actual settlers were both avorte measures
OF ks people Of Illinois This bill secured both aud no
had no difficulty 10 voting for Il.
Mr. Stuart eo,euded that this bill did not abando nhe
homestead principle, but secured Il
hessrs Badger aud Toombs continued the debate TO
the constitutional power Of Congress public lands
Mr. Chase said he would for tho measure because
10 Is the best measure be could get.
The bill was read . third Time and passed-yess Sc,
maps IL, Rs folows:
Yess.Aessrs Adams. A,chisoo. Bright Drodhcad,
Dodge. OF Io-a, Douglas, Evans. Fitzpatrick, Geyer
Gwin Hamln, Houston, Hunter James, johnson, Jones
OF Iowa. Mallory Mason, Rask Sebastian Shields. slidel
Walker aud weler-36.
Nays-Messrs Badger, Bell, Dawson, Fessendeu, Fish
Foot, Gillette Jones, Of Tennessee, Peafce, Psau and
Rockwell-li.
The titles amended so q, to read "a bill TO re-
duce aud graduate the price Of Public Lands to puchas
ers aud actual settles aud grant pre- empton privileges
In certain cases, and for other purpoecs"
Mr.. Geyers bill provides for the meeting of Congress
on the first Monday OF November next.
The Texas bill being up,
Mr. Chase moved strike out eight and half milons
and insert six and half millions.
hes'rs Chase. Walker and Douglas supported the
amendment and Messrs Bright and Bayard opposed Il,
light and half millions is the which the Uni
tea Ses would have TO at the end of fourteen years.
principal and interest Six and half millions VITA, the
principal and interest amounts to with the arket
premium added. The amendment was rejected-yeas is,
nays 90.
The bill was then pas,ed-yeas 27, nays 90.
agreed to.
passed Granting pensou to David Towe. For the re q.
ei oil the widow and orphan Of Cornelius p Van Ness
House bill increasing the salaries Of the executive and
JUDICIAL officers Of territories Bill granting land TO Iowa
Tor railroad purposes House bill defray the expenses
OF tho Cayuse in Oregon Mr. Pelitts resolution TO
print 10000 copies Of the Nebraska and Kansas act in
pamphlet form.
Subsequently, Mr. Chase moved to reconsider this vote
for the purpose oil adding amenmea, print also the
votes aad amendments, &C., on the bil-,ost, yeas Is
nays %
The Senate adjourned at half past 3.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
On motion OF Mr. May, the House up aud passed
the Senate bill authorizing the Alexandria aud Washington
railroad company extend their track through
ton excepting Pennsy avenue to the baltimore and
Washington depot, with amendment authorizing the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad company to construct a
orahcn 10 some poEt opposite Alexandria to
with tue Southern railroads certain conditions.
The House then went into consderatio ton OF private
bills.
Fifteen private bills were passed.
Mr. Bayy rising to question OF privilege offered the
following resolution:
Resolved, That the special committee of which Hon
John Le,cher is chairman, be instructed communic,c
TO the House any communications made the committee
rejecting on the Representative character of Thomas IT.
Bayy, member OF the House. by b. EGreen or others
with view that the House may take such action as il
IN
not within their jurisdiction.
Mr.. Hou.ton-Is that question OF priviege9
Mr. Bayly-Certainly.
Mr.. Houson-I made the remark in an undertone
but will say committee having charge of subject
referred to them by the House ought not To be required
to bring in an unfinished report for adjudication and
action.
Me-. Bayly-My personal character is involved
Mr.. Letcher-I will explain the matter
Mr. Bayly-l will make my own statement as NV honor
concerned. The special committee have declined 70
take Jurisdiction over this personal mputaton on me-
am one OF the Oldest members Of this House. and the
charge Is made against who have enoyed the highest
avors Of this House during two successive Congresses
Formerly Chairman Of the Committee WAYS and Means
and now Chairman Of the committee on Foreign Affairs
have been advised to take notice Of the mputaton
on the ground that obviously grows OF malice.
don't choose to do that. have the commuuc,-
ton by order of the committee, and l desire this
House and tho country shall the communi-
cation mean II the House shall indulge the, have
committee appointed to investigate the matter that tho
brand OF infamy may be stamped the brow of my &C
cuser. Idon't choose to wait Ony five minute, ago
the mputation and il should be investigated by the
House TO give me justice.
Mr. Letcher.-I rise only to confirm the statement of
my colleague The committee have disposed of the matter
so far az they concerned
Mr. Campbell don't wish to throw obstacles in the
way but should like know tho reason why the com.
mittee refused 10 act the matter.
Mr. Hous,on-l suggest to the gentleman that IL he
commences drawing out inform ition from the COM
mtee there is telling when this will have an
end.
Mr. Campbell only to learn from the committee
the re son for not yielding to the request OF the gentleman
from Virginia.
Mr.. Letcher-Suppose charges had been made against
the gentleman of FIVE or six standing would he
slider that under the resolution for the appointment the
select committee, We could go fat back. We
would have end OF the investigation.
Mr.. Campbell-I understand then the committee did
not think the resolution sufficiently general in its
character To enable them TO make the inysstiga ton
Mr.. Enthusiastically.
Mr.. Campbell-I ask whether the committee are con-
lining themselves simply to the investigation Of charges
connected with the Colt patent for understand from the
resolution il the purpose OF the House TO give them
power to back aud examine all the charges and nueu-
does thrown out affecting in loose way the character
OF members charging them with bribery aud improper in
huences IL Is high time to put stop to this system
We are giving too much weight to outside rumors and
newspaper trash. present when the committee
was raised else should have opposed ground that
those loose nuendoes have greater tendency than
thing else 70 bring odium Congress. Blu. now the
committee are appointed Hope they will go fully into the
matter and report, so may know whether there il
foundation for those rumors
Mr.. Edgerton-I want to offer amendment to tho
resolution propose to add after the nsmc Of Mr. Bayly
the words or any other member Of this House. after
Mr. Green's name, "or any other person." think the iu
tegy ola member is attacked by this committee Of in
yestigation.
Mr. Canpbell-Ny judgment differs from that OF my
colleague lnasmnch as an impntston has been cast on
the character Of the gentleman from Virginia. think Il
Is due him bis request should be granted. But don't
want TO assume ground suspect members until facts
shall warrant
Mr. Gddngs.-I believe the practice has been when
member has felt himself assaled 10 his official capacity to
conccde him the right TO demand an Investigate on-
Therefore, hope my colleague will withdraw his otec
on and the resolution will pass unanimously think
the request should be granted, but should not act on
idlo rumnrs
Mr. Bayy.--If this were mere newspaper charge got
up by letter writer should be tempted to say one
word TO the House, but here is communication sent 10