The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-02-24
Csnsrsss.



WAsnssrox, Feb. 10.
SENATE. senate toek sp the house bill
repeating the lsus Of Kansas, aad providiag
Tor . new slsction.
Mr.. Adams, in ssder 70 avoid discussiea,
moved that the bill BE- laid on Tie table,
Negatived, IL, against ~.
Mr.. Green said he voted against laying the
bill on the table, because be wanted the bill
examined by the Judiciary Committee. He
had personal information that oil obnoxious
laws had been repealed BY the local aathori-
ties Of Kansas.
Mr.. Weller renewed his motion to lay the
bill on the table, - il Was likely TO create
discussion and prevent action on important
matters.
Motion was agreed to BY 80 against 20.
The Submarine Telegraph Bin, with the
House amendment, was taken mp, when
Mr.. Hunter moved to refer it to the Post
Office Committee.
Mr.. Thompson Of Kentucky, hoped that it
would be done, and that the committee would
never report the bill back. He believed that
this expenditure Of public money was with
out suflcient fact or data to AUTHORISED il. We
know no more about the elevation or depres-
sion Of the bottom Of the ocean than about
the mountains or valleys in the moon. Who
can tell whether this little wire may not be
broken BY . whale, or bitten Oh By sharks.
He illustrated his views By numerous anec-
dotes creating much merriment.
Mr.. Rpsk replied that it was no new thing
for proportions Of this kind to be assailed
with ridicule. Some years ago when It ~.
proposed 70 establish . tslegraphic line boz
tween Washington and Baltimore, somebody
offered IN amendment for . telegraph line to
the moon. He proceeded to dsnonstrats the
feasibility Of the scheme, and the advantages
to be derived from it.
Mr.. Hunter and Mr.. Butler opposed the bill
and Msssrs. Bell Of Tenn, Stuart and Sew
ard advocated il.
Mr.. Wilson offered . resolution, which was
adopted directing the Secretary Of the Treas
ury to inform the Senate whether the lands
own.d BY the United States, in Ohslsea Ma
sachusetts, have been cold - authorised BY
the cot Of March 3rd. 1855. II 20, whether
they were sold ct public or private sale, to
whom sold, and at what prices per foot. Ad-
journed.
Houss.--Mr. Letcher, from the committee
on Ways and Means, reported bill extending
the time for the Norfolk and Pittsburgh Rail-
road to pay the duty on its iron, in conse-
quence Of embarrassment Of it, finances hav.
ing been ocoasioned By the late prevalence Of
the yellow fever.
Mr.. Csnpbsll, Of Pa, moved to table the
bill. Agreed TO By 8 majority.
Mr.. Davis Of Maryland, BY direction Of the
Investigating Committee, said he had been
directed to make . special report in the case
OF VIM. A. Gilbert Of New York, and moved
that the report be printed, and stated that be
should move, when that qenstion was deter
mined, to postpone further consideration I'M
til Monday next.
Mr.. Grow denied that the Committee had
the right to make this report ~ question
Of privilege. They must 6rst obtain leave,
especially IL the report implicated members
Of this House.
MIR. Letcher and others amid excitsnent,
loudly demanded the reading Of the report.
Mr.. Grow resumed, and said she eonmn-
tee have exceeded thsir aathosity and viola
ted the constitutional rights Of members.
The Speaker said that Mr.. Davis must state
the character Of the report.
Renewed cries Of let it be read.
Mr.. Smith Of Va, understood that the
committee were instructed to make . report
and not . statement merely.
Mr.. Orr remarked IL the House desired 70
know the contents Of the report, let il be
read.
Mr.. Grow resumed his speech with much
carnestness, and WAS called to order BY sew
cral members.
Mr.. Speaker said that the report could not
be read, because it was in the nature Of de-
bate.
Amid confusion Mr.. Bennett Of New York
moved that the report be recommitted. He
vas opposed to thus proceeding to expel .
member by resolution, without due notice.
Mr.. florence-We don't know what 10 propo-
sed until We hear the report read. Iobject 10
the motion Of the gentleman from New York.
Half dozen members struggle for the
floor.
Hr. Houghton insisted on reading the re.
port.
After further proceedings, Mr.. Bennett said
the report Was Of grave import, and affected
ono OF his colleagues. No man in the land
could be accused, tried and condemned with
out hearing, much less judgement against
member being brought in here and put
through under the pressure Of the previous
question. The committee were appointed il
consequence Of 40 article in the N. Y. 7smes
charging corrupt combinations Of members.
Mr.. Harris Of Illinois, called Mr.. Bennett
TO order.
The Speaker ruled Mr.. Harris out Of order
but n0AsSis continued speaking amid cries OF
order, during which the speaker said hs
would direct the Sergsant-at-Arms to arrest
him or any other person violating the rules.
DIR. Harris reply Va net heard.
Conversation ensaed - to the duties Of the
Committee under the authority Of the reso-
lotion b. which they were appointed.
Finally Mr.. Davis of Maryland, read the
report in the case Of Mr.. Gilbert.
The special report concludes with rssolu-
ton for the expulsion Of Mr.. Gilbert.
MIR; Watson intsrposed, saying he under
stood the duty Of the Committee was merely
to report the evidences, and that Gilbert had
bad no opportunity to confront his accusers.
Mr.. Orr replied that the gentleman was no,
eorrectly inforned-thss every facility VA
offered.
Mr.. Davis resumed rsading the report
showing that Sweeney and 11iplets Wsee Wit
nesses against Gilbert, both having been a..
aminsd separately and given their testimony
reluctantly. Allusion q made 70 summonins
witnsssss to discredit the testimony OF Swse.
ney, and BY letter 70 sustain his character. -
The Committee gave their evidence in favo,
Of the truthfulness Of Swssnsy's statement.
made under oath, and o8sr the following res.
olutions:
That G;lt,n~k A:.1 q. Is IL -. -. a.