New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-02-20
HOrsE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

priy ate saIe; to whom sod and at what price. Ad-
journed.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Mr. LETCHER from the Committee OF ways and
Means reported bill extending the time for the Nor
folk and Petersburg Railroad to pay the duty on ron
the embarrassment Of its finances having been occa-
stoned by the late prevalence of yellow fever; -,
MI. CAMPBELL of Pennsylvania moved to table
the bill. Agreed to by four majority,
Mr. DAVIS Md, by direction OF the lnVestgauni
Committee sad be had been directed to make special
report in TIE case of William A. Gilbert OF New fork
He moved that the report be printed, and stated ne
should move when that question was determined, TO
postpo ne the consideration OF the subject I'LL next
Nor day.
Mr.. GROW denied that the Committee have right
10 make this report question of privilege They must
first obtain leave especially if the report duplicates
any members OF this House. .
Mr. LETCHER and others, amid the excitement,
loudly demsr ded the reading Of the report
Mr. GROW, resuming said the Committee have OK.
oeeded their authority and violated the constitutional
rights of the Members.
TIE SPEAKER said MIR. DAVIS must state the CHM
Mr. SMITH Va understood the Committee were
instructed make areport and not statement merely
Mr.. ORR remsrked-Jf the House desired to know
the contents of the report let 1t be read
Mr. GROW resumed his speech with mucn earnest
ness and was called to order by several members.
The SPEAKER said the report could not be read,
because it was in the nature of debate.
Amid
the report be recommtted. He was opposed TO this
proposing to expe member by resolution without due
Mr.. FLORENCE-we don't know what is proposed
until we hear the report read. OBJECT 70 tue motion
of the gentle man from New York.
Half q dozen members struggled for the floor
Mr. HOUSTON insisted on the reading OF the report.
After further proceedings MI BENNETT said the
report was of grave import and affected one OF his
colleagues No man in this land could Dc accused
tried and condemned without hearing, much less
Judgment aRains. q member be brought In mere ana
put through under the pressure OF the previous ques
ton The Committee were appointed in consequence
of an article in The ". Y. Times charging corrupt
combinations on the part Of members.
MIR HARRIS (Il.) called Mr. Bennett to order.
The SPEAKER ruled Mr.. Harris out of order, but
he continued speaking amid cries of Order during
which the Speaker said that he would direct the Ser
ge ant Arms to arrest him any other person NO
lating the Iules
Mr. HARRISS reply was not heard.
Conversation ensued to the duties OF the Commit
tee under the authority of the resolution by which they
were appointed; and finally.
Mr.. DAVIS Md read the report IN the case OF Mr..
Gilbert.
The report sets forth the evidence in Mr. Gilberts
Gaze saying the House can judge for themselves re-
speeding the justness of the conclusions of the Com
mitiee.
Mr.. WATSON interposed, saying that he understood
that the duty of the Committee was merely to report
the evidence and that Mr. Gilbert hsd had no oppor-
tunity to confront his accuser.
Mr. ORR replied that the gentleman was not cor
recty informed. Every facility WA accorded Mr. ILL
bert.
Mr. DAVIS resumed the reading ofths report, show
ing that Mr.. Sweeney and Mr. Tnpett were witnesses
Qainst Mr. Gilbert both having been examined sep-
araely and given their testimony reluctantly. Auson
i. made 10 the summonpg of Witnesses discredt the
testimony of Mr. Sweeney and BY the latter 10 sustain
bis character. The Committee give their opinion ID
favor of the trutbfuness of Mr. Sweeneys statements
made under osth, and offer the following resolutions
AZ A Member
House from New York did agree with +. F. Z. IMP,
lett to procure the passage OF resolution or Dill
through the present Congress for purchase by Congress
Of certain copies of the book Of said Trpett on the
Pension and BountyLand Laws, in consideration that
the laid Trplet should allow him to receive certain
sum of money the appropriation for the purchase
OF the book that Gilbert did cast his vote on the Iowa
Land BILL depending heretofore be lore this Congress ior
corupt consideration consisting Of seven square miles
of lar and stock given or to be given to oim
that Mr. Gilbert be FORTH with expelled from this House
The report is sig1 ed by Mr.. Davis Of Maryland MI
On, Mr.. Warner, Mr.. Richie and Mr.. Kelsey, the
Chairman dissenting. - ,
Mr.. GROW stated that Mr.. Gilbert was not notified
of the charges against him.
Mr. ORR replied tina: complete copy OF the tesii-
mopy nss furnished the accused and an opportunity
given for defense.
Mr. GROW said tina, the reputation Of no member
.houd thus be stabbed and that he should be permitted
10 give his testimony in bis own wsy lie cnaIge1
that the Committee had vios.ed the constitutional
privileges Of member in the Star Chamber proceed
ppr in summonr witnesses from the streets TO bscken
his Oh ,racter. He denied that Mr. Sweeney WAS en-
titled to credit al ywbere. While the Committee were
ready TO stab The member they stood Ike wall OF IRE
around the character OF Mr. Sweeney, who could st
there during the Examination while Mr.. Gilbert - de
MED that right II wa, proceeding unheard OF IN the
story OF the country, ana God grant that II may %
ibe last Ifmen 10 BE- assiled let II be in oayhgn
The Committee had taken the testimony OF this w.t.
ness who his neiehbors declare could not be believed
under oath. As TO the other witness, MI Iripeu De
was discharged from office for mafeasance. Inis was
the Kind of testimony adduce6. In the csse Oh me
Iowa Land bill Mr. Sweeney is the witness, ana 10
there member who believed that Mr.. Gilbert told Inn
that be was receive square miles OF aDd ana
soue stock for bis vote for that measure Ii De va
correctly informed Mr. Chase did not corooorate me
sts'oment a.
Mr.. DAVIS of Maryland replied that the Com
mt;ee had not proposed 70 put any man on tilAA-
Ifey had done what the House ordered them % 90
atask of which they mos, cheerfuly would nave re-
lieyed themselves. They had exsmr ed a. 10 Sh7une'
there were corrupt combira,cns anong inenovIe, "
which they were Greeted BY an almost Inaoimo.
vote. They hsd tai en- testimony and reported 10 the
House. ard because tbs. testimony npics'ee q
member il osnrot in the Judgment o. Nr. 6rcw De
npo,t.d. Were the Committee 10 sop with mere
mort Of the evidence The re soiLicn required then
10 reyor, what sicu 10 the opinion was proper 70 b
.sk,u he should trest Mr.. Grows scgsesiiors Eito
uttsr ccotempt We're toe Ccmns-tes seat CO Child
-. ana thar CarNaN NJ