The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-03-03
rHp coRRUPTIoN CASES.

ItpO1b VI Tic fHsCSseeAtA1AS5 -
will be seen that some of the black repnbli-
cans of the House tried to shield the ras-
cality of their colleagues:
Mr. Davis of Maryland, by direction of
the Investigating Committee, said he had
been directed to make special report in
the case of William A. Gilbert of N. York.
Mr. Grow denied thitt the Committee have
a right to make this report as question of
privilege. They must first obtain leave,
especially if the report duplicates any MEM
bers of this House.
Mr. Letcher and others amid the excite
ment loudly demanded the reading of the
report.
Mr. Grow resuming said the Committee
have exceeded their authority and violated
the constitutional rights of the members.
The Speaker said Mr. Davis must state the
character of the report.
Mr. Smith of Virginia understood the
Committee were instructed to make report
and not statement merely.
Mr. Orr remarked that if the House de-
sired to know the contents of the report, let
it be read.
Mr. Grow resumed his speech with much
earnestness, and was called to order by
several members.
The Speaker said that the report could
not be read because it was in the nature of
debate.
Amid confusion, Mr. Bennett of N. York
moved that the report be recommitted.-
He was opposed to thus proposing to expel
a member by resolution, without due notice.
Mr. Florence-We don't know what is
proposed until we hear the report read. I
object to the motion of the gentleman from
New York.
Half dozen members struggled for the
floor.
Mr. Houston insisted ON the reading of the
report.
After further proceedings, Mr. Bennett
said the report was of grave import, and af
fected one of his colleagues. No man in
this land could be accused, tried and con-
demned without hearing much less could
judgment against MEMBER be brought in
here and put through under the pressure of
the previous question.
The Committee were appointed in conse-
quence of an article in the N. York Times,
charging corrupt combinations on the part
of members.
Mr. Harris of Illinois called Mr. Bennett to
order.
The Speaker ruled Mr. Harris out of or
der, but he continued speaking amid cries
of Order" during which the Speaker said
that he would direct the Sergeant-at- arms
to arrest him or any other person violating
the rules.
Mr. Harris reply was not heard.
Conversation ensued as to the duties of
the Committee under the authority of the
resolution by which they were appointed,
and finally
Mr. Davis of Maryland read the report in
the case of Mr.. Gilbert.
Mr. Wakeman maintained that the Com
mittee had no right to proceed in the inyes-
tigation of the charges against his colleague
[Gilbert.] They should have reported that
in the course of the examination they dis
covered member implicated, and the House
would have directed him how to proceed
He objected to the position of the question.
The resolution required the Committee to
inquire as to whether there was a corrupt
combination among members. but they have
reported nothing of the kind. Instead,
they have reported an argument, winding
with rocn1ntion To b;,
If the House act on this resolution. they
would expel him without fair trial. Let
the report 60 over, the question being on its
adoption.
Mr. Davis of Maryland said there were
now in the hands of the Committee three
special reports referring to the testimony in
general, and a final report in possession of
the Committee with all the testimony, in
Guiding the questions and answers.
Mr. Richie said there was sort of min
ority report by the Chairman of the Com
mittee.
All the reports were ordered to be print
ed, only five members objecting, and their
further consideration postponed to We'd
nesday.
The three special reports of the Commit
tee are signed by all the members of the
Committee, except Mr. Kelsey. They en-
body the testimony in each case, and con-
clude with the following resolutions:
That VIM. w. WEIGH did corruptly com
bine with VIM. A. Gilbert, a member of this
House from New York, to procure the pas
sage of resolution or bill through the
House, for the purchase of certain copies
of ''Triplett on Pension and Bounty Land
Laws" for money-to be paid to the said
Gilbert on its passage.
That VIM. W. WEIGH did attempt to pro-
cure money from James r. Sweeney for re-
porting favorably on the claim of Roxana
kimball from the Committee on Invalid
Pensions at this Congress-that VIM. w.
Weloh, a member of this House from Con-
nectiout. be forthwith expelled from this
House.
The Committee in Mr. Edwards case re-
mort aS fnllouS.