Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-01-18

character or position en- the integrity OF detbe-
rstiVe body, is q proper subject OF investigation.
Therefore, raise question as TO its propriety,
while | VI nd not stop to answer newspaper inu-
sndoes.
Mr.. Housson-I understand the editorial article
is based on the Washington letter of its cores
pondsnt-cns who is admitted here IS matter Of
privilege.
Mr.. Grow resumed, and in reply to Mr.. Payne,
who had referred to Mr.. Pesrce, Of Pennsylvania,
approaching Mr.. Mlllward, pending the election
Of Speaker, to induce the latter to vote for Mr..
Banks, said the fact simply was that both Of these
gentlemen made statements to the House, rom
which it was seen there was 8 misunderstanding
between them. Whether it wss 3 jest or joke OF
the day, or whether Mr.. Pearce's remarks were
seriously meant, was the question. While Mr.
MilWard regarded the matter as serious, the other
| denied such an intention. The House seemed to
draw the conclusion that it was playful pastime
Of the morI ing
Mr.. Brooks 1t is all important to the honor and
dignity of the House that this matter be iUvestl'
ted The duty Of appointing the committee
| should not rest on any individual l wish not to
impugn the fairness Of the Speaker and it is pro-
| per to say that have no such intention. wish
| simpl; to throw the Onus on the House. We can
! elect q committee tomorrow to investigate all the
| charges of corruption which have been brought to
the notice of the House. and the committee will
| be empowered to send for persons and papers
Mr.. Wsker-I can have no disuust Of the
Speaker. / take it he bas a. just an estimate Of
| the dignity aud honor of the House as any other
| member. Cent, men have fallen into great mis-
| take. Who're charges are made involving the fair
ness Of our action or the fair ess Of votes,
| lose ght of our own personal dignity if We fail
to look at the source where's they emlnate. don't
! care whether they come from the lowest aud most
| miserable of all species Of partisan newspapers
| or men Of high position, it is sufficient that 8
charge has been made against me and my fellow
| members on this floor and therefore the PROPOSE
| ton of the gentleman from New York (Mr. Kelsey
| il the one on which we should biss our act on
Nv first impulse was to move the expulsion Of the
correspondent Of the fines without dignltying him
| by an investigation, but when the charges were
endorsed by the editor, the casa was changed. Let
our seton be prompt and conclusive.
Mr. BrentOn-Perhsps it is due TO myself to say
something before the resolution is voted upon, for
| the reason that it is understood or known by ell
the members Of this House that the Minnesota
| land bill has been placed in my hands alone. As
| member of the committee on public lands for
examination and report l have acted on this as on
other subjects, and will receive Information from
men residing in Minnesota, acting independently
on every proposition which may be suCmit'e1.-
As to whether any influence has been exerted up
favorable action, or efforts made to induce other
numbers to vote for or against the BILL know not
But have this to say with regard to Ryself.-
| No man, either in or out of this House. has had
| the courage or dared to approach me on the sub
| iect in any way to influence my vote one way or
| the other And Isay IN the lace OF this cores
pondent, I am nearly always N my room when
| am not here. These charges have no foundation
in fact, within the limits Of my Knowledge. There
lie 49,
should take place, and not because al irresJ, nsI-
| bic newspaper thus arrajgns tie members Of this
body For, if W class OF individuals deservs 10
| be treated withScOntempt by the members OF this
House or if not with contempt, should excite heir
commiseration II is that poor miserable class that
hang round the hall in the shape OF dementei frag
ments OF humanity, for the purpose Of gathering
| up eVery whisper and word, even IN private con-
versation, and circulating it throuy hOut the land
Mr. Cling nsu-Fnere seems to be no difference
in the opinion Of this House to the propriety OF
this investigation; aud prefer that the committee
shall have a. broad field as the different PROPOSE
tiJns will admit. hope, therefore, that the OrgI-
| nal resolution with the amendment, will be adopt
| ed do not concur with my friend from Sou
Carolina, (Mr BccOks,) that we shall elect the com
mttee hope be will Tot press lis amend nent
Mr.. Paiue-I 10 not know that it is necessary TO
vndicate my course. stated simple TACT, known
( 7 y
the election for Speaker, a member 1859 IN his
place AID charged another with attempting to IL
hleuc= vote by promising hin lucrative pace
on one Of tie COumlttle e., he Wss only laughed at
for making the announce meUt. Shortly al er
was approached il tie manner have stated IL
formed q gentleman from Tennessee Nr. Snesdl
Of the fsUss in the case, but told him would not
name the mrm0sT
NJ Sneei COW obtained tie door ard corrobo-
rated sle truth OF the last remark Of Mr.. Paine. He
Yves rders ood to say that WBs on TIE 23d Of
December when Mr. PsiLe gave him information
srmler 10 thst Of which the House is already il
possess on. He asked Mr. Seeds advice, and
Nj Sneed iun5centy ref4rred him to the ease at
the commencement Of the present session Of Con-
g-ee7, Tam Iy, that between Mr. Peiroe, of Penn
sy.v-u.a, sui NJ. Mhad relative u the Speaker
slip
y Payne il.orEel tim among other things
that C. r ain member came to bis sest and asked
him if b. could give bis confidence 10 nm; and
thst he granted il, sIPPo iug nothing was wrong.
1t was then tuat the bribe was Cf-red. Mr Sneed
advised BIZ Paine, without compromising his own
honor, to wait events, obtain the necessary evil
denCe 0! the corrupt proposition aud then expose
the member; Mr. cne-d further sli1 T. Mr.. Paine
that be would slap he EgCg15te 10 the face; and
Mr Paine left Mr. SGeed with tie impression IN
the MIND OF the latter that be would adopt that
course.
M. Sneed was certain as to the conversation
taking place on the 23i of December, Tor hs made
q written statement from memory. Cries from
various directions, Tread IL, read if. But Mr..
Sneed replied will not read It.
Mr. Brooks here withdsF his amendment that
the committee be elected instead Of appointed by
the Speaker
Mr. . IT sgan urged the inVestg CATION, in ordsr
to ascertain all the fscjs in toe case.
Mr. Stanton said that there could be but one
result From hat has taken place, no doubt the
House will order the investigation. l move the
previous question. Loud aud Prolonged cries Of
That's rght" Hold on to the motion
Mr.. Sneed-Lst us vote down TIE amendment.
[Cres in stentorun tones Of -"No'-"Ques-
"-"Question.
Mr. Ready, amid the confusion, said be thought
the resolution was indefinite He wanted to in
sert the words, New York Times
Mr.. Washourn, of Maine, objected, saying, "Let
the inquiry be general
During great confusion the demand for the pre-.
Vious question was seconded
Mr. Csmpoel's amendment to the preamble,
rs uely: Where's 3 member of this House has
.tated the article is not wanting IN truth, was
greed to, and the original resolution with this
Nmendment, was adopted by scOlsmsiOn.
Mr.. Bsrksdale wished to amend by directing !
that an inquiry be made whether any member Of
this House has sold or speculated in books pur-
chased for distribution Laughter and voice
"Also inquire whether any member has sold his
sest"l
Objection was made to the introduction of Dir !
Bsrksdsles amendment. Several members oI-
claimed, LET it 60 on the record