The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-01-15


The amendment consists of en- increase in
the amount from four hundred and twenty
tour thousand to five hundred and sixty-nine
thousand SIX hundred dollars.
Mr. Seward introduced bill to expedite the
Geographic communication for the use Of the
Government in foreign intercourse.
Ihis bill authorizes the Secretary of State,
In the discretion and under the direction of the
President, to contract with any competent
person or association for the aid of the United
States in laying down submarine cable to
connect existing telegraphs between the coast
OF Newfoundland aud the coast of Ireland, and
for the use of such marine communication,
when established, by the Government of the
United States, on such terms and conditions
as shall seem just and reasonable to the Presi-
dent; with proviso that the Government of
Great Britain enter into a like contract for the
same purpose, and with the same persons upon
terms OF exact equality; that the tariff of prices
Tor the use OF the same by the public shall be
liked by the Secretary of the Treasury and
Government of Great Britain or its authorized
agent; with a further proviso that the United
States shall enjoy the use of the same for a
period of fifty years, on the same terms and
conditions which shall be stipulated in favor of
Great Britain.
The Senate then proceeded to the considera-
ton of the credentials of Mr.. Harlan, with the
protest OF the Senator from Iowa and the re-
port OF the Committee on the Judiciary, de-
caring that the sitting member was not entitled
to his seat.
Mr.. Seward, who was entitled to the floor,
addressed the Senate at length, sustaining Mr.
Haran's claim to his seat, taking the ground
that, while the enactment of laws required the
concurrent votes of the two branches of the
Legislature, the act of choosing a Senator of
the United States was not of necessity legis-
latlve act, but mere additional duty which
devolved on the members When the duty of
electng Senator was to be performed, the
two branches came together in Joint couven-
ton, aud the individuality of the two Houses
was lost in the joint body.
Mr.. Stuart advocated the report of the com
mittee, insisting that it was based On strong
legal ground and that the election was uncon-
stitutlonal, and consequently void.
The debate was further continued, until after
A 2. NJ, by Messrs. Brown and Hale against
the report of the Committee on the judiciary,
and by Messrs. Toucey and Douglas in its
favor, when, without taking any question,
The Senate adjourned to Monday.
HOUSE
On motion of Mr.. Giddings, of Ohio, the
House then went into Committee Of the Whole.
(Mr. Etheridge, of Tennessee, in the chair, J
and, according to the order of the House of
Monday last, proceeded 70 consider those bills
on the private calendar 20 which there should
be no objection, commencing at the point where
the call was suspended on Friday last.
No objection being made to the following
bills, they were laid aside to be reported to the
House, with a recommendation that they pass /:
Senate bill for the relief Of Hannah +. Niles.
A bill for the relief of Mary Burgher, widow
of jeremiah Burgher, deceased, a revolutionary
soldier.
A bill for the relief of Lefty Griggs, widow
OF Simeon Griggs, a revolutionary soldier.
bill for the relief Of The surviving children
Of John Gilbert, revolutionary soldier
Also, bills for the relief of Richard Phillips,
William Craig, George w. Written, Edward
Rumery, Cornelius II. Latham, Robert II. Ste
phens, and Isaac c.. Washburne.
Senate bill for the relief Of the heirs-at-law of
Sarah Crandail, deceased, with an amendment
striking out heirs at law" and inserting sur
viving children;" also, bills for the relief of
Henry Stewart, Isaac Langley, Jonathan Cilley,
Roxana Kimball, and William Pool.
Senate bill for the relief of Randolph Clay.
A bill granting a pension to Thomas Allcock,
Of Rochester, New York
A bill for the relief Of George F. Baltzell,
assignee of James P. Roam.
The Committee then rose and reported to the
House, when the amendment to Senate bill for
the relief OF the heirs -at-law of Sarah Crandal,
deceased, was agreed to. and the various bills
were read third time aud passed.
Mr.. Kelsey, of New York, rising to priv.
LEGGED QUESTION, caused to be read, from the New
York Times, an editorial article calling the at.
tention Of its readers to the letter of its Wash
Utn Tn, 10 !
scheme about to be brought before Congress.
Among other things, the article stated:
q W. - --,-,.-Dso certain lobby agents
at Washington has existed since early in the
session Of last year. We are we'll satisfied that
this organization holds balance of power in
its hands sufficient in most cases to XIII or carry
any measure pending in the House of Repre-
sentatives, and that It's power has been exerted
in favor of measures, where its price Isl, 900
per vote generally, or its equivalent was agreed
to, and that it has been used to prevent favor.
able action on equally meritorious measures,
which were unable or unwilling to submit to
the piratcal tribute
Mr.. Kelsey moved the adoption of the follow
ing preamble and resolution:
Whereas certain statements have been nuh.
lished, charging that the members of this House
have entered into corrupt combinations for the
purpose of passing aud Of preventing the passage
of certain measures now pending before Con
gress Therefore,
ReSoired, That committee, consisting Of five
members, be appointed by the Speaker, with
power to send for persons and papers, to invest
igate said charges and that said committee
report the evidence taken, and what action, in
their Judgment is necessary on the part of the
House, without any unnecessary delay.
Mr.. Paine, Of North Carolina, scarcely knew
whether or not he ought to say ANYTHING in re-
lation to the matter that had been brought to
the notice of the House. He knew nothing OF
the editor of the Times, nor of the journal it.
self, nor of any communication that had been
sent to it for publication He knew not whether
what was there stated were true or false: but
this he did know, that there had been propo
sition made in the House by one Of its mem
bers upon this "ery subject.
Cries7of Who" and Name him."
Mr.. Paine replied that he would not name
the member. Ii was with feelings of indigna
ton that he heard the proposition, and the
reason he did not resent it was, because it would
have been a violation of the rules of the House
He had not announced the matter to the House
because, during the struggle to effect an organ
ization of the body, when a member rose in his
place and stated that an attempt had been
made to tamper with him in the election oil
Speaker, the only credit he received for his de-
veopment was laughter; and the charge was
made that he did not accept the bride because
there was no such place to be had as that which
was rendered him. Mr.. p. would now state
that there was not want Of truth in the article
that had been read, and that distinct propo
sition had been made by a membor Of ths
House, and in regard to the Minnesota bill
that fifteen hundred dollars would be guaran
tied member to vote for that bill. If the
proposed committee should be raised, and be
be called upon, he would be ready to give hi.
evidence.
Mr.. Campbell moved to amend the preamble
as follows: "and whereas a member Of this