The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-01-24

Thirty-Fourth Congress- Third Session.
FRIDAY, JANUARY %, 1857.
SENATE.
MaMoRIALs, PETITIONS Ero.

Mr. GEYER presented petition of the members OF the bar
In Wisconsin, praying that the time for holding the ds-
trc court Of the United States for the district OF Wscon
sin may be changed and the salary OF the Judge OF that
may be increased which ordered to lie on the
table. $50. ~. ~, Is
Mr.. BRODHEAD presented the petition of Samuel Mer-
commander of squadron during the time for which he
acted in that capacity which referred to the Commit
tee on Naval Affairs
COMMITTEES
Mr.. EVANS, from the Committee on Revolutionary
Claims submitted adverse report the bill from the
House of for the relief of the heirs OF Capt
Thomas Gill.
Mr. E. from the same committee to whom was referred
the bill from the House of Representatives for the relief Of
the surviving children of John Gilbert revolutionary
soldier asked be discharged from the further coasdera
ton of the same and that 1t be referred to the COMMITTEES
on Pensions; which agreed TO.
Mr.. BlGLER, from the Committee on Commerce, to
whom referred the bill to provide for survey OF the
Ohio river and its principal tributaries, reported II
with amendment, and submitted report on tho sub
ject; which ordered to be printed.
Mr.. TOUCEY, from the Committee the Judiciary, TO
whom referred the petition of Samuel p Todd and
John De Bee asked be discharged from the further
sderaon OF the same, and that IL lie the table which
was agreed to-
Mr. JAMES, from the Committee on Public Buildings,
reported joint resolution authorizing the payment OF
expense incurred in the repairs OF the Congressional
Library under act of Congress approved March 49,
1852; which was read and passed to second reading
MIR. BRODHEAD, from the COMMITTEES OF Claims, TO
whom was referred bill communicated to the Senate by
the Court of Claims the sh instant for the relief OF
Matthew G. Emery reported it without amendment and
it was read and passed to a second reading.
Mr.. YULEE, from the Committee of Claims reported
bill for the relief Of George Phelps which was read and
passed to second reading.
to whom referred the following bills from the House
of Representatives reported them without amendment and
their passage:
Bill for the relief OF the officers and prvates OF the Cin-
ton Guards of the county Of Macomb in the State Of Mich
igan.
Bill for the relief of John Mcconnell
Bill for the relief of William Kendall
Bill to reimburse the estate of Joseph Mcclure pay
master in the of 1912.
Mr. w. from the same committee reported bill explain
atory of act approved August l8 1885, entitled San
for the relief of Adam Seuat and of Alexander Ran
DALI executor of Daniel Randall !" which read and
passed TO a second reading. G
bill provide for quieng certain land titles in the late
disputed territory 10 the State of Maine and for other pur
poses which was read and passed to second reading
RESOLUTION ADOPTED
On motion by Mr. FESSENDEN, resolution was
adopted directing the Secretary Of War to inform the
Senate whether any further defensive works are required
for the protection of Portland harbor in Maine partc
uary whether any and what works should be construct
ed upon Hog Island Lodges, in said harbor, and what
would be the cost of constructing the same.
BILL PASSED.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the bill 10
change the time of holding the district court of the United
States and for the district of Wisconsin, and compen
the Judge of said district for his services which
read the third time and passed.
BILL INTRODUCED.
Mr. FOOT asked and obtained leave to introduce bill
granting bounty land to Mary Felch widow of Rev Chez
Fech deceased which read twice and referred to
the Committee Public Lands.
On motion by Mr.. JONES, Of Iowa, the bill frem the
House of Representatives for the relief of VIM L. Oliver
was recommitted to the Committee ON Pensions
On motion by Mr. WADE the Senate insisted on its dis
agreement the amendment Of the House Of
ves To the bill for the relief Of Sally T. Matthew'S and ask
cd committee of conference ON the same.
oosTuMA0y OF WITNESSES
On motion by Mr. TOOMBS the Senate proceeded to the
consideration Of the bill from the House of
eecualy to enforce the attendance Of witnesses on
the of either house of Congress- and to compel
them to discover testimony.
Mr.. HALE hoped that of the friends of the bill
would state the object of it, and the necessity for its pass
age He had nd other knowledge Of the circumstances un
der which it brought forward than what was derived
from the newspapers Ct the day but II seemed that the
rules VI Congress- which require that bill shall have
three eadngsn each house three separate days. unless
by unanimous consent had been dispensed with 1t was
passed through the House of Representatives and sent
here and reported back from the Judiciary Committee in
about two days. He opposed to all hasty eSs-
laton which hurried through to meet particular
transactions but ne was in favor Of and would vote for
attendance ct Witnesses before either house. or before
committee Of either house. and would provide proper PEN
alties for neglect to appear and answer AS he under
stood this BILL however, 1t proposed to strike out of exist
principle which has been considered to
the protection Of individual rights every court ia every
State OF this Union propo2eg 10 strike down princi-
o which has been held sacred for centuries wherever the
common law is practised and that the privilege that
protects witness from answering in matters which
shall crminatc or disgrace himself This bill makes
exception of that sort II provides that witness
shall not be held liable to enY criminal ndictment
for anything which no may Disclose shall the mat
ter be used in evidence against himself He did not be-
eve that Congress had right to do any such thing.
The bill creates new offence and then sayy that man
guilty Of this offence sha be liable to indictment for
1t misdemeanor In any court of the United States
having jurisdiction of It. But what court has jurisdiction
of offence which has not until been created The
proper would have been for the bill to confer such
Jurisdiction.
Mr. H. further objected to the bill that was contrary to
the spirit of liberty contrary the spirit of law and con-
trary to the genius of constitution. II was proposed
to to witness that he shall be excused from an
swering because his testimony may crmnate himself The
bill makes exception Of confidential communications be-
tween counsel and client and would compel priest of the
impaired to him under the most sacred obligations which
bind the conscience Of man. He did not stand here az
particular advocate Of the press and the press of New
York city especially He did not feel under any particu-
lar obligations to that press that particular local.
ity; for he UNANIMOUSLY assaed by one az
the papers of that city, and when he took notice Of
the matter and out and coured an investigation
the paper only took the backguard privilege of reas
sorting the same Islander. Nor did he on the other
hand, wish to indulge in that Wholesale denunciation
Of the press which some had seen fit to use He be-
eved that newspaper editors very much like other
classes peopecontainng many of the most respectable
and worthy men to be found in the community as well az
many OF the most corrupt sc0undres the face of the
earth. Laughter There conductors of the
press whom he proud to number among his friends
that every charge contained in the newspapers against
members of unworthy