The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-01-24


tiers as those affecting the liberties of the citizen Atm
same time he was perfectly willing TO pass law which
should be potent enough IN its penalties 10 compel the al
closure of all the facts which either house might deem n
cessary in the discharge Of the business confded 10 then
by their constituents and the constitution
Mr. TO0MBS said that the House of Representatives Ia.
been pursuing an investigation In regard to crimes wh
were said to have been committed by of their o
members In this Investigation they have found hemse
suddenly brought up by the refusal Of witness TO dseo
certain facts which he admits to be within his knowed0
In order to proceed with this investigation which d
manded by their honor and their interest," the House bs
proposed to pass law to meet the This bin wa
not liable to the objections which had been made by IN
senator from New Hampshire II was not an ca post fact
law because it does not make that action criminal NOV
which was innocent before and il universal rue i
all of justice that it is perfectly competent AT an,
time for legislation to alter the remedy provided in exist
ing laws. Now the was that in endeavoring 10 4,
certain the truth of the charges that certain members
Congress guilty of corruption and bribery ATTEMPT
ing to be brbed in pursuing that Investigation the Hoa
has right to do by law they call of the very perso
who make the charges and they refuse TO on In
ground that point Of honor prevents thieves from ep
on one another This principle of honor among thieves
brought forward to prevent the administration of pubp
Justice This gentleman who has been nrusted with b
felony for honors sake cannot disclose it large DOR
Of the House of Representatives and of this body hn
that we have the power to compel him to answer and for
that purpose this bill has been introduced because sn
that the present punishment ia inadequate This appear
to be the only mode in which ascertain the truth
of this allegations because the bill provides that whenever
testify he shall be liable certain penalty The laws
of the States of the Union compel confedeatss
crime to testify against each other Whatever may
to- II cannot make him infamous unless he is nh
already; and il is better for public justice that BIZ
infamy shodldbe exposed than that in consequence Of
screening himself the guilty should be allowed to escape
He believed proper for the House of Represen su
to protect its members against the RIGHTEOUSNESS Of M
press and its miserable minions who are allowed to
about these halls.
Mr. TRUMBULL was in favor of the objects sought to
Nv N auO 0d aoma
lars in which he thought it needed amendment
Mr.. HALE said that If this bill passed this man would
Of the Institutions Of the age had hundred eyes an
thousand tongues; 1t seized the wires and flashed n
nation throughout the length and breadth of this land
the wings Of a the ns the would live
would record the dissolution of Congress notwithstanding
all that members might say about II. He hoped the bill
would be recommited to the Committee the Judiciary
to give them time to prepare bill not for this case
alone but for all bill that should commend its
to our Judgment instead of our resentment.
Mr.. BAYARD did not believe that the time had arrived
when any could become hero by resisting the laws
of his country. He denied that this bill was leveed
the press but it to compel any and every man coen
zant of facts that ought to be known for tho public good
TO testify when properly called upon to do so.
Mr.. SEWARD agreed with the Judiciary Committee
and with all the members who had spoken as to the I'M
portance Of some addition to the existing laws upon Thu
several amendments which he moved One was to insert
the word material" that the bill would read f an
person shall refuse to answer any material question &
Mr.. BAYARD thought these matters could be uemedia
but the necessity for the immediate passage
of the bill urgent that 1t would be better to pas
now, and remedy these thnga hereafter.
After some further debate,
Mr. PUGH read statement of reasons why BIO could not
vote for the bill, being minority report as a member
the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. HALE thanked the senator from Ohio for the yer,
able manner in which he had treated the subject and hoped
that his views coming from that source would reach some
hearts which he himself could not
The question being taken on tho amendment Of Nh 4
SnwARD above mentioned, it was not agreed to--yeas
nays 39--as follows:
YEAS-Gessrs. Bell of New Hampshire, Collamer, Dur
kee, Feasenden Hale, Pugh, Seward, and Wilson's
NAYs--Messrs. Adams, Allen Rayard, Bell Of Tennessee
Houston, Hunter, James, Jones Of Iowa. Mallory, Mason
son Of New Jersey Toombs, Toucey, Trumbu Wade, Ws
Ter, and Wrght-39. II
The other amendments offered by Mr. s. were rejected
similar votes. 'H sa W III
Mr. WILSON moved to strike out the second section
the bill; which was not agreed to-yeas g. nays 40.
The bill was read third time, and the question wn
stated on its passage
Mr. PUGH said that he should vote against the bill b.
cause he consdered II fragrant violation of the rights
American citizenR Q
After some further debate on the subject the bill VIZ
passed--yeas 46, nays 3--as follows:
:, YEAs-Messrs. Adams, Allen, Rayard, Bell Of New
Brown Butler, Clay, CosIsr, cptandep I poase b Bas
las Durkee, Evans Fessenden, Fish, Fitzpatrick Foot
& oE
dell, Stuart, Thomson Of New Jersey, Toombs ToaosJ
WMsds Weller Wright and Yuee
ExEoUrIvR COMMUNICATIONS.
The PRESIDENT pro TEN. laid before the Senate com
from the Secretary of the Treasury in answa
to resolution OF the Senate of the l4th instant request
ing him to communicate all the papers or documents
reference te the claim Of George whitman which arc