Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-02-26

neighborhood as rotten hearted, ffraudu
lent 'treacherous,' lying deceitfuI,' re-
vengeful, 'hypocritical,' false, and sdishon-
est there is in the character of such a man
nothing to justify faith or credit in any story,
however probable in itself, much less when
the story comes as Sweeny's came, and is such
as he tells. The committee, moreover, are
strained to confess that he is vindictive when
provoked, and not over-scrupulous in bis mea.
suree OF revenge. '-Report, page 8.
From the sources that have been men,
toned, and by the means referred to, the COM
mittee have derived their charge That,
standing alone, it is wholly unsupported by
anything worthy Of the name of evidence, must
be plain to every candid mind. But when no.
tilted Of their proceedings, Mr.. Gilbert appear
ed before the committee, ard, under oath, put
in his answer to the defamatory story that
answer, full and complete, alleges, among
other things, that no agreement was made
with me by Triplett, Sweeney, or any other
person, whereby was to have, or did expect
to have, any benefit from the passage of the
resolution. I never knew of, or had the re-
hottest idea of, the existence Of the writing or
order until after it was produced before the
committee And in regard to the Iowa land
bill, Il have to say that have not the slight
est recollection Of ever having had CONVEX.
sation with Sweeney on the subject, and Aaouy
toaL never tOiu nim tndt L WIS 10 nave seven
square miles, or any other quantity of land
for nv vote never stipulated for any guam.
tity of land or other pecuniery consideration
for my vote for that or any other bill
The record shows Up. 76) that the commit
tee decided they would not regard him as q
witness. But from that decision he appeals
to the better judgment Of the House, and
claims that, in cases of this nature, the state
mems Of a member under oath as evidence in
! To- So l.x,L1 u, IL
be overcome but by the testimony Of two un-
impeached witnesses. This he is advised is
the parliamentary law, and without this
wholesome rule q member Of Congress would
be at the mercy of any scOuudrel that infests
the halls of Congress His statement is, more
over, confirmed by the testimony of Mr.. w elch
and Mr. Chase, both Of whom swear to facts
wholly inconsistent with the stories of Sweepy.
Justice to himself would require some other
points in the report and proceedings of the
committee to be noticed, were it not that the
defence has already extended beyond the linn
its be desired. This necessity has been im-
posed upon him by the Irregular and unfair
procedure to which he has been subjected.
But, without further remark, he submits HE
case to the House. IL the charge be enter
tanned, he demands an open trial by the House,
where justice will b. administered according
to lsgal evidence and in legal form, and where
II
Der will be respected. Protesting his limo.
cence, in fact and intention, in every respect
wherewitb he stands charged, with an apology
for the length of these remarks, he cheelfulIy
abides the judgment Of the House"
Mr. Purviance offered q resolution to pro-
coed at once with the trial of Mr. Gilbert,
end that the witnesses-Mcssrs Sweeney
Trlplett and others-be summoned to give tes-
timOny at the bar of the House, and also that
the said Gilbert be heard by himself or coun-
sci
Alter some conversation, Mr.. Davis, OF Nd
addressed the House in favor of the resolution
expelling Mr.. Gilbert
On motion of Mr. Bennett, at a lqte hour.
they adjourned, Mr.. Gilbert not being ready
to proceed until to-day with bis defence.
Proceedings Of To-day
IN THE SENATE, today, after the trars,t-
tIOn Of much morning business, among which
was a resolution, reported by Mr.. Toombs
from the Judiciary COMMITTEE on the Indiana
contested election case requiring more testi-
mony to be taken, (Which was laid oger
Mr. Rusk reported back from the Post Office
Affairs Committee the bill to expedite the
construction Of magnetic telegraph from the
Atlantic States to San Francisco, with an
amendment providing that no payment, under
may not be in operation.
Mr.. Stuart concluded tha: Southern Se1a-
tors who ardently opposed such measures for
the North as ardently advocated them when
proposed for the South
Massrs. TOombs, Rusk, Clay and Butler,
each replied to these remarks from Mr. Stuart
ere the Star went to press.
In THE HOUSE, by direction Of resolution,
Mr.. Campbell, of Ohio, reported from the
Ways and Means Committee, the five general
appropriation bills, and one Of them-,he bill
making appropriations for certain civil ap-
priations-being taken up
Mr.. III, Marshall, of KY, moved an amend
ment appropriating $500 OCO to increase the
capacity Of the Louisville and Portland Canal
Mr. NJ addressed the House in it's favor
and the previous question having been OF.
dered,
Mr.: Campbell, Of Ohio, went on to explain
certain provisions and iInperfections in the bill
as then before the House, proposing q substi-
tute for the bill at the same time.