New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-01-16
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

.ion Of privilege in relation to w. b. Chase refusing
70 give testimony before the Select Committee ap-
pointed last Session TO investigate whether money
or other improper means have been used to lnhu-
ence the passage or defeat OF bills and asking for
process 70 compel Mr.. Chase TO answer questions
After some debate the further consideration Of the
matter postponed. -
The House went into Committee on the fscluc
Railroad bill.
The CHAIRMAN of the Committee appointed last
July made report that w. Is. Chase had refused 10
appear and answer certain questions asked by the
Committee Entrusted with inquring whether money hls
been offered to Members of Congress- or other illegal
or improper used for the purpose OF securing inc
passage Of the bill extending the Colt Patent Tor
seven yeais; and also whether money has been Of
fered TO members or other illegal or improper means
used 10 secure the passage or defeat of any bilI
through Congress the Committee being empowered
TO send for persons and papers. The resort concluded
with a resolution by the Commute asking the House
TO take action, with a view of making Mr. Chase ap
pear and give further testimony Mr. Letchsr caused
10 be read the return OF the sergeant AZ Arms VINO
saws Mr.. Chase declined TO appear before the CON-
mittee. AT his request extract was read from the
printed report OF the proceedings OF the Committee
ty which it appeared that Mr.. Chase IN answer TO
question, said votes were made Tor the Neoraska Oh.
Nv giving a contract for Of six war steamers 10
George Steers, of Neg-Yoik On belog asked tne
name of the pers IN who gave the Information, MI
Chase declined al answer, though the Committee de-
manded one =,
MIR. WALSH, "a a personal friend of Mr.. Steers,
said the latter diG not get the contract = build
steamer-he appointed Naval CONSTRUCTOR a. a
salary of 400 per apnum, for the purpose oi Dnd
I'M, ono az them No influence of the Members OF
Congress was brought to bear on the appp,htmeu',
which given asH tribute 10 ms genus ne c'uo
not avoid the opp rtuntv Of saying there are nu nbes
Of "scribbling Lazzaroni' hanging round the zap
toll As correspondents Ss3apers yet hardly aoe
TO write soap boilers advertisements they go eoou'
Lowing contributions and black mai, pannorips -
the weakest and abusing the more pr0m.neh iheul-
re Az 10 the misevsh O. sensual beast, Mr.. Chase,
be was surprised that he wa suffered 10 pouute the
hall by his presence. lie suggested tnet tue Oo,n-
mitee call on this creature and ask HIM whence ne
derived his information, and expressed nope tna'
the Speaker in respect 10 himself and the neuse,
would rid them of this miserable creature Whue
such persons suffered TO come mo we nun he
ehould be afraid TO hang up his overcost lLafghtef
Mr. LFTCHER resumed-Sayng It was Impossible
10 proceed with the investigation unless the commit
tee can compel the attendance Of witnesses, TIE
knowledge of some of whom il OF great importance;
The SPEAKER remarked-He had jus; received
a note from Mr.. Chase which, by request was read
substance as follows: 81 have no AFFECTION to turnish
the Committee with the name of the individual al
! GUIDED to. II they can compel his attendance LEI
them do so" The Speaker SAID the words Il
! "they can were itIcised
Mr. STEPHENS Ca remarked that-This IN
yolved constitutional question, and sigge'tei thai
the report De laid on the table .nd the ConMittee
proceeded with the nyests cation after TINS note IRON
Mr. LETCHER said ths.-Tre Committee have
summoned this witness twice, and that be knew ior
what purpose he was summoned.
Mr.. STEPHENS-PeIbs when the name comes,
II will be that Of somebody beyond the sea
Mr. LErCHER did not understand Mr.. Chase To
say he will appear before the Committee. lie rather
understood him as defyng the Committee and ei,
pressing the opinion that il wss not IN the power OF
Inc House or Committee to compel him 70 appear
Mr. BAYI.Y ssid before going further, II were
better 70 know where we are to land lis a~ pre-
eeptor taught him lessoS-sissSs nrs! 70
! you want 20 Ii you Go not get the Judgment you
want what is your remedy by appeal de had
found this 10 be q good rule through he as theIe
any law 60 meet the question: II no., "hi' "a va wa
! nropo.od lie did not see his way clear. II wonia
be vel for gentlemen to look into the power Of this
| House 70 punish contempt
! The SPEAKER, il rep'y 70 question by Nr. WI;
son .ad that Mr.. Chaos note would not D. receiver
| as psr' 81 ne proco eainss ,,...
| N.LOUf concluding TIE s.lleci me mouse "7H
! NE Csmm,.eo. snd toos up the Pa,.ac kAl'o1l
Nr STEPHENS Ca replied 20 Nh c. nq5eil
/ saving. Tie Gentleman rad in he printed speech,
..re9a Liio ~ usinr language on former occasion
h. Cic 10. u. o.. In response y MI lamp - as
ser-iou that the scquist Of Louisiana and rl'rI-
/ bsa resulted 20 tie beneh, Of re >on,h' VI.
S.snhens asserts Of those acquisitions the Norm Eot
40 o0o sonar. miles and the South only 755' oo0
miles The gentleman from Ohio sad u Wss proposes
10 place SO 600 900 at the disposal Of ihs fIvsae1
win a view % the acquisition OF Cuoa ou' ne ~
S,enhensl had no. consented 70 MS, nor uid ne
nov ~ ,ny other member who had either 81 md
pirhi o. in open day. But, he would tell the gentle
msn from Ohio ne VS. in favor Of the acquisition o.
Cuba be wanted it, and believed II wonld be iSr me
interest of the whole country snd Tor 'ne NoIan,
on cubs s' are oppressed. He did not see
/ why our citizens should not go there 70 ss,
ssi Cubans in obtaining their indePendencei ne
wiling 20 repealhe neutrality laws ano iet eEet
! Ame~icsp co 10 the rescue He would acquire Caoa
on the score Of humanity public interest and s'a'e.
msnship. Where is the objection he ssw none, e1
cept in blind and dogma.ic nonsense. ln coociusion
be took issue with Mr.. Campbell a. to the SUPERIOR
ty Of free over slave labor and argued 70 show thai
Georgia, taking into consideration her porulstisa u
more prosr srous than Ohio.