The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-01-16

The House met at IL O'Clock, m.
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from the Secretary Of State transmitting information
specng the compensation Of the clerks engaged in the diff
feren departments OF the government which was laid
the table and ordered TO be printed
Also, communication from the Secretary of the Treas
ury submitting additional estimate of the appropra-
tons asked for BY the Territory of Kansas which
fered to the Committee of Ways and Means and ordered
TO be printed
Also, communication from the Secretary OF the Int
ror containing estimates of appropriations required which
referred the Committee of Ways and Means and
dered TO be printed
Also communication from the Secretary Of War, CON
tanning statement Of the expenses of that department du
ring the fiscal year ending the 30th of June 1854 which
referred 10 the Committee on Military Affairs.
RESOLUTION SUBMITTED
Mr. HUNT submitted resolution nstructing the Score
of War report the House whether any and If
any what military defences are necessary at Procors
Landing, at the termination of the Mexican Gulf railway,
in Louisiana for the protection Of the country which
considered by unanimous consent, and agreed to.
BILLS INTRODUCED
Mr. VALLEY asked and obtained leave TO introduce
bill making appropriations for continuing the improve
of the se-wa for the protection of West Brewster in
Boston harbor which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Commerce.
Also bill making appropriations for the repairs of the
sea-wal Deer and Sewals island, in Boston harbor,
Massachusetts, which read twice and referred TO the
Committee on Commerce.
Mr. MILLER, of Indiana, asked and obtained leave to
introduce bill making appropriations for continuing the
improvement of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers which
read twice and referred to the Committee Com
Mr. STANTON, Of Tennessee in pursuance of previous
notice asked and obtained leave to introduce bill to in
corporate the library of the Columbia Fire Company Of
Washington which was read twice and referred to the
Committee for the District of Columbia.
EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES
Mr. LETCHER arose to privileged question. He dc
sired to make report from the select committee raised
consider the conduct of patentee which would bring be-
fore the House question of interest and Importance
He said that he instructed submit resolution which
would enable the committee to compel the attendance of
(',aSa 10 fr~a i'm his taGt fp1npy
The report then read.
The duty of the select committee investigate into
the conduct of Col Samuel Colt in endeavorng to obtain
extension OF his patent for the manufacture and sale of
fire arms and of other persons applying for patents and
to enable the committee to accomplish this purpose they
were empowered to and examine witnesses The
report goes to state that W. b. Chase summoned
to appear before that committee testify with regard to
the agencies employed by Col Colt in endeayoring get
his patent renewed and TO the vnent Of
bers to the passage of the act for the extension of
his patent and that the said witness declined answering
several questions propounded him by that committee
and that he had twice refused appear before that
mitee after being summoned by the sergeant-at-arms
Mr LETCHER said that very shortly after the commit
tee organized at the Inst session of Congress they pro-
ceeded to summon various to appear before them
testify with regard to the matters with which the
committee charged by resolution OF the House.
number Of those summoned refused answer the ques
tons put to them but the time being short and the
committee desired go far possible inyest-
CATION Of these matters they declined for the time from
bringing these facts before the House referred to
the conduct of Mr.. Chase.
Mr.. WALSH desired to make explanation. Ausion
had been made in the report George Steers George
Steers he said not allowed the for building
of the six steamers partisan but he utrused
with the charge of constructing that steamer with salary
Of 400 because Of his superior skill and experience in
these matters and tribute to his worth-he having
modelled the best steamers Of the Collins line he wished
observe that there class of persons who hang
around the Capitol under the preence being newspaper
correspondents, who incapable of writing decent
soapboers advertisement and who seek levy black
mail and contributions upon every who comes to
Washington business of importance lie wished to
know who this poor miserable fellow W. b Chase was
He wondered that he should be allowed admance 70 the
House floor and hoped that measures would be taken
exclude him and all such persons from the House for he
afraid TO leave his oyercoat back Of the bar |
Laughter.
Mr. LETCHER, in referring TO the select committee
wished to know how they could proceed with their nyes
LEGATIONS If they could compel the attendance of witt
nesses who are supposed TO have knowledge of the
matters with which the committee were charged 1t was
important that the committee should be empowered COM
the attendance Of witnesses and ohge them 10 answer
questions which would furnish the committee and the
House with such information they need
Mr.. STEPHENS thought that the question involved q +
very grave question of constitutional power He would
ask the gentleman what he proposed do this ndivd-
ua who still refuses 10 appear before the committee
The SPEAKER stated that he had just received com
munication from W b Chase and il 1t the pleasure Of
the House he would read It.
Several Voices sRead It. read III"
No objection being made the communication was read
Mr. Chase stated In bis that he would now furnish the
Of the individual which be before refused to furnish
il the committee would compel the attendance Of that
divdual.
Mr. STEPHENS hoped that the report would be laid on
the table and that the committee go with their inves
cations heretofore.
Mr.. LkIGHER said that something required. .
They had summoned this witness twice and he knew the
purpose for which he had been summoned and yet he
fused both occasions TO appear before the committee
Mr. STEPHENS tinterruptng) supposed that the diff
Guilty was now removed He did think that the gen
teman from Virginia Mr. LErCBERl proposed punish
the witness for what he has already refused do The
House had Just been informed that the witness would
swer 70 the questions propounded 70 him. and give The
u the individual 70 whom reference had been made
lie trusted that the House would take no further steps
regard 70 the matter because be said before Il involved
very grave constitutional question and be not pre-
pared to say that the committee could be clothed with the
p wer for which they ask.
Mr. LETCHER did not interpret the note Of Mr. Chase
his friend from Georgia did As he understood H. the
witness still defiant; and although he would furnish
the Of the individual stl be would not subject him
self TO further examination before The committee He in
Inmates IN bis note that the individual referred 70 could not
Be compelled by the committee to appear before them and
give ia his evidence.
Mr.. BAfLf OF Virginia, considered that the House. IN
looking al question 81 this SORT had better see where
they going TO land His precepor when he studied
law, told him, wbeasEer be bad prosecute first
10 inquire what is the nature Of the action what
Judgment ought to be awarded and next II no Judgment
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