Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1857-01-22

4NcN ofk. II Is, uONeSeI. dt DSSt Dul Ill
article from newspaper. l don't care
whether it comes from the east or west
every intelligent member Of this body ought
to have learned that it is not becoming in
the American Congress, especially during a
short session, when bills affecting the in
terests of the whole country are at stake,
to stop and inquire into charge of this
kink, which is based solely on the idea
that some editor, or assistant or newspa-
per penny-a liner, has seen fiji to malign
this body.
Having felt in my own person, during
the last two years, the weight of assaults Of
this kind, occupying the relations l do to
this body or the country, should not favor
the investigation predicated on the charge
made by the writer through manufactured
rags and lampblack and oil, were it not for
the statement made by the gentleman from
North Carolina. l concur with the gentle
man from Kentucky, (Mr. Marshall,) J that
this places the whole matter on q different
footing. AS the gentleman from South
Carolina says he knows proposition of
corruption was made to him, am for the
investigation. | move to amend the pre-
amble by adding "and, whereas, member
of this House has stated on his own au-
thority that the article is not wanting in
truth"
Mr.. Orr, (dem) of S. c., said, think
this debate is an unnecessary consumption
of time. Charges of similar character
have been so frequently made relative to
members of Congress, that | think the
whole of them should now be investigated.
| do not see how this House, consistently
with its dignity and self-respect, can refuse
an investigation after the statement of the
gentleman from North Carolina. 1t due
to the character of this body and to our
constituents that the inquiry should be as
broad as possible. fit is true that the ed
itor of the Times can. give information to
support these charges the House will have
the authority and right to require him to
come here and testify. (Voices-"Thats
right -"You're rightly
Mr.. Grow, (rep.) of Pal agree with
the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr.
Orr), that grave charge directly made by
the editor of newspaper of any character
or position, on the integrity of delibera-
tive body, is proper subject for investiga-
ton. Therefore ]. raise no question as to
its proT Triety, while I would not stop to no
tice newspaper inuendees. -
Mr.. Houston (dem.) of Ala, said-I
understand that the editorial article is based
on letter from its Washington correspon-
dent-one whois admitted here as matter
of privilege. -
Mr.. Grow resumed-And in reply to Mr..
Paine, who has referred to Pearce, of Penn
sylvania, approaching Mr.. Millward, pend
ing the election of Speaker, to induce the
latter to vote for Mr.. Banks, he said, the
fact simply was that both these gentlemen
made statements to the House, from which
it was seen that there was misunderstood
ing between them. Whether it was a jest
or Joke, or whether Mr.. Pearce's remarks
were seriously meant, was the question.
While Mr.. Millward regarded the mat
ter as serious the other denied such an in
tention. The House seemed to draw the
conclusion that it was playful pastime of
the morning.
Mr.. Brooks, (dem.) of S. G., said-It is
all important to the honor and dignity of
the House that this matter should be in
vestigated. The duty of appointing a COM
mittee should not rest on any individual.
wish not to impugn the fairness of the
Speaker, and it is proper that l should say
that | have no such intention. | wish
simply to throw the onus on the House.
We can elect a committee tomorrow to
investigate all the charges of corruption
which have been brought into the notice of
the House; and the committee will be en-
powered to send for persons and papers.
Mr.. Walker, (dem,) of Ala.-I can have
no distrust of the Speaker. I take it he
has as just an estimate of the dignity and
honor of the House as any other member.
The gentleman has fallen into a great
mistake. Where charges are made involv-
ing the fairness of our action or the fair
ness of our votes, we lcse sight of our per-
sonal dignity if we fail to look at the source
from whence they emanate. 1 don't care
whether they come from the lowest and mis-
erable of all the species Of partisan news
papers, or from men of high position. 1t
is sufficient that charge has been made
against me and my fellow members on this
floor, and therefore the proposition from
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Kel-
sey) is the one on which we should base
our action. My first impulse was to move
for the expulsion of the correspondent of
the Times without Identifying him with an
investigation; but when the charges were
by the editor, the case was chang
ed. Let our actions be prompt and con-
elusive. -
=. Mr.. Benton, (rep.) of Ind.-Perhaps it
is due to myself to say something before
The resolution is voted upon, for the reason
that it is understood or known to all the
of this House that the Minneso-
Ia land bill has been placed in my hands
alone, as member of the Committee on
Public Lands, for examination and to re-
port. l have acted on this and other sub
ects, and will receive information from
men residing in Minnesota, acting indepen-
lently on every proposition which may be
submitted. As to whether any influence
mas been exerted upon any member of the
with view to favorable action,
,r efforts made to induce other members
% vote for or against the bill, know not.
[ have this to say with regard to myself
10 man either in or out of this House has
,ad the courage or dared to approach me
IN the subject, in any influence may vote
,ne way or the other, and l say in the face