Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1857-03-04
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

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took up and passed twenty-five private bills,
including one permitting Commander Hartstein
and otheTst to accept certain tokens Of acknowi-
edgement of their humane services, from the
British Government.
Mr.. Adams presented the credentials Of JEFF
ferson Davis, elected United States Senator
from Mississippi for six years from March 4th,
1857.
The Post Office Appropriation bill was dis
cussed at some length, when the Senate took a
recess till 6 O'Clock.
HoGse-Mr. Gilbert sent up a paper which
was read, stating that the Committee had re-
fused him a fair hearing and presented a gar
bled exparte testimony, with the view to CON
Wet him. He concludes by saying that from
this moment he has resigned his seat asa MEM
Der, and that be had notified the Governor OF
New York Of the fact. tn House was evil
IDENTIFY taken BY surprise at this announcement.
Gilbert Immediately left his seat. n resolu-
lions in the case Of Mr.. Gilbert were tabled.
Yeas 135, nays 6S.
Mr.. Morgan sent to the clerk a letter from
Mr.. Matteson, addressed to the Speaker, to the
effect that under the resolution previously
adopted, he filed bis reason for refusing to sub
nit TO the usurpation of the Committee Of In
vestigation, and as a trial had been denied Mr..
Gilbert be had no right TO expect any larger
measure Of Justice would be accorded to him.
A secret inquisition, without warrant or au-
thority, had taken testimony against him with
out his knowledge, and on that testimony he
invoked the House to punish to the greatest ex-
tent it could infict. He deemed il to be his
duty to forthwith resign as a member Of the
House.
The reading Of Matteson's answer to the res
o%lution Of the committee was earnestly demand
ed by various gentlemen. Mr.. Warner having
a right to the floor, proceeded to refer to the
testimony in Matteson's case, saying that Mat
teson admitted giving one-fourth Of a factory
and having here 100000 to 1e given to out
siders in order to carry the Desmoines bill
through the House. If such be the moral stand
ing of Mr.. Matteson, be should like to know
who upheld such an opinion, and hence be wish
ed to vote on the resolution.
Mr.. Matteson denied that be had committed
an offense on the House, as the money was not
provided to influence members but Mr.. War
ner referred to legal documents to show that
Mr.. Matteson had been guilty of an ofenss
justifying the s~everest punishment up to the
time Of his appointment.
Mr.. Orr made a brief speech in defense Of the
action OF the Committee, insisting that they
were governed by frnness in e~liciting tesri-
mony.
Mr.. Bennett moved to lay the resolution on
the table. Lost-yess SO, nays los.
tn first resolution was then read and adopted
by yeas las, nays II.
Mr.. Dunn moved to lay it on the table. Dis
agreed to-yeas 70, nays 90.
The second resolution was adopted, and the
third was laid on the table.
Mr.. Davis, Of Nd, called up the resolution
in the case of Mr.. Welch, and considerable
debate Of a conservative character ensued.
On molten Of Mr.. Crittenden, the Senate
proceeded to the consideration of the Joint
resolutions from the House increasing the pay
Of Lieut.. Gen. Scott.
HsHse.-Mr. Kelsey thought the bill ought
to pass now, but moved that it be referred to
the Committee Of the Whole on the state o.
the Union.
Mr.. Quitman thought it a very dangerous
bill, and moved that it be laid on the table.
Mr.. Orr said he did not expect to pass the
bill and hoped that MIR. Quitman's motion
would be agreed to.
The House refused by yeas 81, nays sc to
table the bill, and it was then passed. Yeas
104, nays 50.
Mr.. H. Marshall moved the reconsideration
Of the vote. He said that it might as well be
made known to the American people that, while
this bill was passing, gentlemen stood for the
FIRST time taking a look at it standing in groups.
The bill ought not to become a law. If it did,
the whole country would laugh it to utter scorn.
Never before was such a measure heard of
even in despotic lands. 1t abridged liberty Of
speech and of the advocating or defeating any
measure before Congress which would say
in effect, We will erect ourselves into an in
msculate tribunal.
The resolution for the expulsion Of Jas. W.
Simonton was then taken up.
Mr.. Kelsey said if he had succeeded in OBJ
tanning the floor at an early stage in the pro-
c~eedings, he should have presented his views
relative to these reports, somewhat at length.
He now wished simply to remark that the only
difference in the select committee had grown
out of contrary opinions as to the proper re-
port to be made to the House. At his late
period of the session, it would be inexcusable
were be to consume the time of the House,
and unless some friend of Mr.. Simonton's
desired to be heard in his behalf, he should
content himsef without moving the previous
question.
Mr.. Sage moved an amendment, including
Mr.. Triplett, in the expulsion resolution.
MT. Houston wished to exclude all persons
engaged in the prosecution of claims, from the
floor. 1t was but a temporary relief to expel
one man, and let five hundred others remain.
The speaker then said, no reporter had been
admitted to the floor, excepting on the condition
that they were not engaged in the prosecution
Of claims, and in every instance with one ex-
ception, they have replied that they were not
so engaged.
Mr.. Jones, or Tennessee, remarked that the
doorkeeper- should keep out all persons not
entitled by right to the floor.
The speaker replied that the doorkeeper had
such instructions.
Mr.. Jones said, if so, the doorkeeper has
not enforced the rule.
Mr.. H. Marshall remarked that Mr.. Triplett
obtained the right to occupy a reporters seat,
CD his recommendation, but he had not exer-
cised the privilege.
Mr.. Bennett said, that as Mr.. Simonton had
been heard in his defense, Mr.. Triplett should
have the same right.
The resolution e~xpelling Simonton and Trip
lett from the floor of the House, as reporters,
was then adopted.
After a long debate, Mr.. Smith, of Virginia,
offered the following as a substitute for the
committees resolution: "There has been no
sufficient evidence elected by the committe who
were charged with and have reported in the
case of Mr.. Welch, and no further proceedings
should be had against him. T" Adopted-119
against ~. Adjourned.
Senate-EpeniRg SessiOn.-The Senate de-
bated five hours and adopted an amendment
authorizing the Post Master General to con-
trsc for the conveyance Of the entire letter
mail from the Mississippi river to San Fran
cisco in four-horse coaches, at a cost not ex-
ceeding 100000 annually for s%emi-monthly ;
$45, 900 for weekly, or 100000 for semi-weekly
services, contractors to have the right of pre-
enption to 800 acres of land at each point ne
cessary for a station not nearer than ten miles
from each other.
Among other amendments adopted was one
appropTiating $4,000 for land mail service in
Washington Territory.
L. A letter from Savannah, Georgia, gives
thess particulars respecting the duel near that
place:
"A fatal duel took place in this vicinity to-
day betweentwo single gentlemen of Savannah
one, DR. Daniel Stuard Elliott, the other Thomas
Daniel, son Of DR.. W. Daniel, of this city.
Both are most respectfully connected. Early
last week, while in a restaurant in this city, a
quarrel arose between Daniel and Elliott, and
after a shuttle, the latter challenged the former.
Daniel wore glasses, and being near-sighted,
chose rifles as the weapons, distance twenty
five PAGES, place Servers Ferry, S. c., Gust
across the river, three miles below .his city,)