M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1857-01-15
Congressional.

NHNN"N " SHNNNH''J 20 A''"S wv"
expended upon the Presidents Mes
sage, both houses have gone to work
in earnest at the real business of the
session. Mr.. Bright, the Vice Prcsi-
dent, being absent, the Senate elected
Mr.. Mason to preside over its delibe-
rations. The election case Of Sena-
tor Harlan, of Iowa, has recently oc-
cupied good portion of the time in
the Senate. Several tariff bills have
been introduced, and any number Of
schemes are on foot in the "third
house 1.-THE lobby-to dip deep into
the overAowing Treasury. Presi-
dent Pierce has rendered good service
tOthe country by vetoing schemes,
and it is to be hoped that he will con-
tinue to do so to the end Of his ad-
ministration. A bill to reward per-
sons for services performed by their
ancestors in the Revolution, ifpassed,
will put in the hands of spectators,
who have bought up the claims, the
comfortable sum OF about three mil
lions ofdollars This bill should be
defeated. The Minnesota Land bill
is another swindling scheme, and in
order to show how the spectators
hope to get it through Congress, we
add the following proceedings of the
House on the 9th inst.
The tremendous influence Of band
cd spectators at Washington is real,
ly becoming dangerous to the Gov
eminent:
HoUsE.-The House passed twen-
ty.one private bills.
An adjournment was about being
effected, when Mr.. Kelsey introduced
a subject which caused much excite
ment. He presented it as question
OF privilege, first causing to be read
at the Clerks table an editorial from
the New York Times, of the 9th inst
which charged members of Congress
and lobby agents with gross corrup-
ton, mentioning the Minnesota Land
Bill in the connection, and saying that
evidence can be produced to carry
conviction to every honest heart. The
criminals should be driven from the
high places which they have dishon.
ored.
Mr.. Kelsey remarked that the char.
ges contained in the article appeared
to have been based on a letter from
this city to the Times. Under ordi-
nary circumstances it would. perhaps,
be waste Of time to notice articles
Of this character, appearing in the
newspapers, but the editor ofthe Times
occupied position before the country
which entitled his statements to credit.
If he is in possession ofthe facts he
herein charges, he should substantiate
them before acommittee ofthis House,
that the members who may be guilty
of such conduct should be known to
the country. AS the case now stood,
he Kelsey could neither vote for, or
against a certain proposition, without
bringing himself directly under the
charges in that article. If there ex-
lists such combination as is alleged,
he wanted to know it, and the facts 60
before the people. He concluded by
offering the following:
WHEREAS, Certain statements have
been published, charging members Of
the House with entering into q cor
rupt combination for the purpose oi
passing and ofpreventing the passage
of certain measures now before Con.
gress, therefore, .
ResOlvsd, That a Committee of five
be appointed by the Speaker, with
power to send for persons and papers,
to investigate the said charges, and
that the committee report the evidence
to be taken, and what action in their
judgment is necessary, on the part oi
the House, without unnecessary delay.
Mr.. Paine-I scarcely know that
ought to say anything or not. know
nothing about that letter nor his jour
nal. | know nothing about any com.
munication made to it. know not
how he obtained the information.
know not whether it is true or false.
But do know that there has been a
proposition made in the House by a
member Of the House on the subject
-(sensation and cries of "who is he9"
expose him." Mr.. Paine--I shall
not name the gentleman.
Cries Of "Down in front" "Stand
our of the aisles," awe can't see."
Mr.. PANEL shall mention nc
member by name. ca Voice.--You
ought to du it.) 1t was with feelings
ofindignation when | heard the prop
osition. Impatient demands Of" What
was it." Hsfell it. The reason why
! did not announce it to fls House
was, that pending the Organization oi