The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1857-01-15

srOoap sEssIOr.
WAsHIEeroN CRY, Jan. OH.

WASHINGTON CRY, Jan. 9th.
SERATE.-Mr. Sewsrd introdu ced bill
to expedite telegraphic communication for
the use OF the government in It's foreign in.
tereourse. 1t authorizes the Secretary Of
State, under the direction Of the President,
to contract for the aid Of the United States,
in laying the cable to connect with the
existing telegraphs.
Mr.. Harlan's right for a seat was dis
cussed.
Mr.. Beii. OF N. H., offered resolution,
which was adopted, requesting the Presi-
dent. IL in his opinion 1t be not inconsistent
with the public interest, to communicate to
the Senate such information as may be on
file 10 the Department Of State relative to
interference at the Island os Ares, in the
Caribbean Sea, Of the Venezuelan govern
ment with American citizens who are right
fully in occupancy of sail island, as they
believed, and engaged in collecting gusno
therefrom, the said government hating for
cihly elected, he said, American citizens
from their lawful employment, and also to
commurcate what measures have been
taken, if any, by the government Of the
United States to obtain redress from the
government Of Venezuln.
The Senate then adjourned until Mon
day.
HousE.-The House passed twenty.one
private bills, and an adjournment was nboBi
being effected. when Mr.. Kelsey intrudeced
subject which caused much eyciteNent.-
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 instant, which charged members Of
Congress and lobby agents with gross cor.
rup,on, mentioning the Minnesota Land
Bill in connection, and saying that evidence
can be produced to carry conviction to every
honest heart that the criminals should be
driven from the high places which they have
dishonored Mr.. kelsey remarked that the
charges contained in this appeared to have
been based on letter from this city 10 the
| Times. Under ordinary circumstances, it
would perhaps be waste of time to notice
articles OF this character appearing in news
PAPERS, but the editor Of the Times occupied
a position before the county which entities
his statements to credit. If he is in pos
session Of the facts he therein charges, he
should substantate them before committee
of this House, that members who may be
guilty of such conduct should be known to
the country. As the case now stood, he,
Mr.. Kelsey, could not vote for nor against a
certain proposition without bringing himself
directly under the charges in that article
Irthere exists such a combination, as alleg-
ed, he wanted to know it, and that the fact
should 90 before the people. He concluded
by offering the following:
WHEREAS, Certain statements have been
published, charging the members of the
House with entering into corrupt combi-
nation for the purpose of passing and of pre-
venting the passage of certain measures now
fore Congress, therefore,
Resol0ed, That committee of FIVE mem
bers be appointed by the Speaker, with
power to send for PERSONS and papers tc
Investigate said charges, and that tho com
mittee report the evidence to be taken ant
. what action, in their judgment, is necessary
on the part of the House, without unneces
safy delay.
MIR. Pdine.-I scarcely know whether
ought to say anything or not. know moth
ing about that letter nor his journal. know
nothing about any communication made tc
it, | know not how he obtained the infor
matien. know not whether it is true o
t faise; bat do know that there has been
. proposition made In the House, by member
, of the House, on the subject. (Sensation
and les of "who is he! expose him."
shall not name the gen,lrman. {Cries o
s'down in 'front.' "Ont Of the uisle, can
see') | shall mention no member b!
name.
Voicc-You ought to do it.
Mr.. Paine-lt was with feelings OF in
3 lignution heard the proposition. Qmpa
, tient demands of"what was it--tell it. ~
9'he reason why | did not announce it to tn
House was, that pending the organization
of this body, when a member rose is hi
pluce, and stated that fellow member hn,
= directly made an attempt to tampet will
him for his vote for Speaker, and that tn
{ onlv credit he received was that he wa
laughed at, and it was charged that he di
not accept the proffered bribe, becaISe ther
. was no such profitable place to be had.
say distinctly there is not want OF truth il
:, the allegation contained in the Times arti
Gle; distinct proposition was made to m
by member Of this House, in regard to tn
Minnesota land bill, and that $4,000 woul
t be given in consideration of vote for tha
t bin. If the proposed committee shall b
;, raised, and am called on as witness,
shall give thy evidence.
The resolution, after further debate, wa
g adopted, and the House adjourned. TIL,
Speaker will announce the committee to
morrow.