Weekly Clarksville chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 185?-1857, 1857-01-16
THIRTY-FoURTH CoNGRESS-SECoND
SESSION.
WAsHfNeToN. Jan. 8.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8.
! Senate.-Mr. Seward introduced bill to
expedite telegraphc communication fer the
use of government in it's foreign intercourse.
1t authorsss the Secretary Of State under the
direction of the President to contract for the
aid Of the United States in laying down the
submarine cable TO connect existing tele-
graphs.
Mr., Seward based his argument in favor OF
Harlan's right to a seat on the ground that
while Legislative acts require the concurrent
votes of the two branches of ihe Legislature,
the act Of choosing an United Staiees Senator
was not legislative act, but Slerely an addi-
tional duty, which had been :devolved upon
members of the Legislature. SWhen they per-
termed this duty, it was in j?int convention,
the individuality Of the twb houses being
merged and lost in the joint body. Mr.. S;ewart
took the position that the election waSuncon-.
sttutional and the report of the committee Of
the judiciary to that effect well founded
Messrs. Brown and Hale favored the claim
of the sitting member. Toucey aud Douglas
opposed it. No question taken.
On motion of Mr.. Bell of New Hampshirs
resolution was adopted requesting the
President, if in his opinion, not inconsistent
with the public interest, TO communicate to
Senate such information as may be on file In
the Department Of State relative to the inter-
ference at the Island of AYES, in the Caribbean
Sea, of the Venezuelan Government with
American citizens who were rightiuy in oc-
cupancy of said Island, as they believed. and
engaged in collecting guano lhererom said
Government having forcibly elected the said
American citizens from their lawful employ
ment. And also to communicate what
meas ures, if any, have been taken by the
Government of the United States 10 obtain
redress from the Government of VenezHea.
HoUsE.-The House passed 81 priynte bills
and an adjournment was about being effected
when Kelsey introduced subject Hhich caus'
ed much excitement. He presented il as q
question OF privilege, first causing II 10 be
read at the Clerks table--an editorial from the
New York Times. of the 9th inst. which char
ged members of Congress and lobby agents
with gross corruption, mentioning the Mime
sofa land bill in the connection. and saying
that evidence can be produced TO carry conylc-
ton to every honest breast that the caiminsls
should be driven from the high places which
they have dishonored.
Mr.. Kelsey remarked that the charges con-
taincd In this article appeared TO have heen
based on a letter frOm this city 10 the Times.
Under ordinary circumstances, II would per-
haps be waste of time to notice articles ofthis
character appearing in the newspapers, but
the editor of the Times occupied a position
| before the country which entitled his state
menls to credit. If is In possession Of the
! facts he therein charges, he should substanii-
ate them before committee OF the House,
that members who may be guilty Of such con-
duct should be known to the country. As tho
case now stood, he (Kelsey) could neither vote
| for or against certain proposition without
| bringing himself directly under the charges in
that article II there exists such combina.
tinn as is alleged, he wanted TO know u, aud
have the facts go before the people. He COD
cluded by Offering thl following.
/ Whereas, Certain statements having been
Published charging members OF the House
with entering into corrupt combinations for
the purpose Of passing aud preventing tho
passage Of certain MEASURES now before Con
gress, therefore:
Resolved, That committee Of fine mem
bers be appointed blythe Speaker. itn pow
erlo send tor persons and papers. Ia invesii-
gate sud charges, bnd lhat the committee re-
port the evidence To be taken aId what se-
lion, in their Judgment, is necessarg on The
part of lie House, without unnecessary delsy
Dir. Paine--. scarcely know wheiher
ought to say anything or nu,. know n1;n.
ing about that lctler nor his Journsl. | knuw
nothing about any communication nade to n.
know not how ho ubIainaa the laturnlalion
l not whether il IL true or false; bat know
that lhe'e has bceu proposition made Ia ;ss
House, by member Of tic House, upon Inc
sgbi'cl.
[SensalOn; and eries u i'who Z hs-exposf
u him" ~
Mr Paine shall mol maine i'sa genilenliie
The respluilpnA sler debate wss adopied
/ The S6saker vii. nnroanee lhe cop,nii teel,
u.l..L.-.L A l.I-.L-ll.-L