Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1857-01-10
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MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH.
CONGRESSIONAL.
MAsnINaToN, Jan. 9th,

WAsaIyGToN, Jan. 9th, 1857.
SENATE.-Nr. Seward introduced bill to eX-
pedite the Geographic communication for the
use of the government in its foreign intercourse.
1t authorizes the Secretary of State, under the
direction of the President, to construct for the
aid of the U. s., in laying down submarine
cable to connect the existing telegTaphs.
Mr.. Seward based his argument IN favor of
Iarlan's right to a scat on the ground that,
while the Legislative acts require the concurrent
votes of the two branches of the legislature, the
act Of choosing Il U, S. Senator was no legisla-
tive act, but merely an additional duty which
has been devolved upon the members of the
legislature. When they performed this duty 1t
was in joint convention, the individuality OF the
two houses being merged and lost in the Joint
body.
Mr.. Stuart took the position that the election
was unconstitutional, and the report ofthe com.
mittee ON judiciary to that effect was well
founded.
Messrs. Brown and Hale favored the claim of
the sitting member.
Messrs. Toucey and Douglas opposed it. No
question was taken.
On motion of Mr.. Bell, of n. H., a resolution
was adopted requesting the President Gf twas
not inconsistent with the public interest,) to
communicate to the Senate such information as
may be on file in the Department of State rcla-
tive to the interference ut the lslandOf AYES, in
the Caribbean sea, of the Venezuelan govern
tEenG WIN american CltlLenS WHO WeTeTlSuLlul
ly in the occupancy of said Islands, as they be-
lieved, and were engaged in collecting gnano
therefrom, the said government having tOrcibly
elected the said American citizens from their
lawful employment, and also to communicate
what measures have been taken Gf any by the
government Of the U. S. to obtain redress from
the government Of Venezuela. Adjourned till
Monday.
HOUsE-The House passed twenty-one pri-
vate bills and was about eftecting an adjourn
ment when Mr.. Kelsey introduced a subject
which caused much excitement He presented
it as question OF privilege; first causing 1t 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 corruption, mentioning the MinneS-
ota land bill in the condection, and saying evil
dence can be produced to carry conviction to
every honest heart. The criminals should be
driven from the high places which they have
dishonored.
Mr.. Kelsey remarked that the charges
tanned in this article appeared to have been
based on letter from this city to the Times.
Under ordinary circumstances it would perhaps
be waste of time to notice articles of this char
acter appearing in newspapers, but the editor of
the Times occupied position before the coun-
try which entitled his statements to credit. If
he is in possession of the facts he therein char
geS, he should substantiate them before COM
mittee of this House, that members who may
be guilty of the conduct should be known to
the country As the case now stood, he (Kel-
sey) could neither vote for or against certain
proposition without bringing himself directly
under their charges in that article. lf there eX-
lists such combination as alleged, he wanted to
know it, and let the facts go before the people
He concluded by offering the following:
Whereas, certain statements have been pub
lished, charging members of this House with
entering into corrupt combination for the pur
pose of passing and of preventing the passage
of certain measures now before Congress,
therefore
ResOlred, That committee of five members
be appointed by the speaker with power to send
for persons and papers to investigate said char
ges, and that committee report the evidence to
be taken, and what action, in their judgment, is
necessary on the part of the House, without un-
necessary delay.
Mr.. Paine-I scarcely know whether ought
to say anything or not. l know nothing about
tina letter or his journal l know nothing
about the communication made to it. know
not how he obtained the information. know
not whether it is true or false, for l do know
there has been proposition made in the House
by members of the House on the subject
| Sensation, and cries of Who is heP Expose
him.) shall not name the gentleman. (Cries of
down in 'front.' stand out of the aisle; we cant see)
shall mention no member by name, "a voice,
you ought to do it.) 1t was with feelings of in
dignation heard the proposition, Impatient de-
mands of What was iR Tell itS) The reason
why did not announce it to the House was
that when a member rose in his place and stated
that fellow member had directly made an at
tempt to tamper with him for his VOTE for Speak
er, the only credit he received was that he was
laughed, at and it was charged that he did not
accept the proffered bride, because no such a
profitable place was to be had l say distinctly
there is not want of truth in the allegation
contained in the Times article. A distinct pro-
position was made to me- by a member of this
House in regard to the Minnesota land bill, and
that $25OO would be given in consideration of 4
vote for that bill. If the proposed committee
shall be raised, and lam called on as witness
shall give my evidence. The resolution after
further debate was adopted. The Speaker will
announce the committee tomorrow. Adjourned.