Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-01-26


 the Liquidation of the public debt.
 Very respectfully yours, WILLIAM M. GOUGE. Little Rock, Arkansas, Dee, 1857. Thirty-Fifth Congress-First Session.
 IN SENATE.
 Monday, January 4, 1858.
 NAVAL COURTS OF INQUIRY.
 The Senate proceeded to consider the motion of MT. Crittenden, to reconsider the following December last:
 Reso1ved, That the President be requested to communicate to the Senate the records of pro- ceedings of the several naval courts of inquiry, organized under the act of Congress approved January 16, 1857, to amend an act entitled An act to promote the efficiency of the navy" Mr. SLIDELL. understood that the Sena- tor from Kentucky (whose attention beg leave to call to this matter) desired that this resolu ton should not be acted upon until the courts had finally adjourned, and closed their proceed ings. I have no disposition to press it now, unless it be agreeable to the Senator from Ken lucky to press the resolution at this time. Mir. CRITTENDEN. I think, perhaps, it had better lie over, but am willing to consult the wishes of Sanators. If the Senator from Louisiana prefers to have it acted on now, very we'll.
 MT. SLIDELL. I suggest that it will be very easy to make asupplemental motion It all the documents should not come in Anticipa- ting an objection that probably will be made, and 1 think has already been made, as to the great expense which would necessarily attend the printing of these documents, will say that the natural course would be reference of them l kl tho the printing of such documents only as may be- come matters of discussion, vii! probably be asked for hereafter. 1 cannot see any objection to the adoption of the resolution at present. Mr. CRITTENDEN. The gentlemen's aim. presume, is to extend the call as we'll to cases hereafter to be decided as to those already de- cided.
 MT. SLIDELL. have no objection to that modification of the resolution.
 l MT. CRITTENDEN. I do not know that have any objection to that. 1.-the Senator de- sires to give that form to his resolution, very we'll I presume the gentleman intends that we shall have the original records.
 MT. SLIDELL. That is my intention. MT. CRITTENDEN. To make copies would be laborious.
 MT. SLIDELL. I understand so. MT. BELL. To have the originals would be contrary to our usage.
 Mir. SLIDELL. On reading this resolution, 1 will state that it appears to me it will cover the whole ground up to the time the President makes his communication, and then the courts will have finished their business and adjourned.
 MT. BELL. would suggest to my colleague on the committee that unless he has examined the subject and finds that these records are less voluminous than apprehepd they are we shall hau fp lEa fpr tbair a1, here. But do not see what we can do with them when they do come. If all the records that have been accumulated in these inquiries are to be transmitted, and presume they in clude all the previous examinations and decis- ions of courts of inquiry and courts martial in reference to the character of these individuals, they will be exceedingly voluminous and pom derous It take it that, according 10 no custom or usage that know of, can we expect that they will transmit the original records here, to be in our custody. l presume they will have to em- ploy extra clerical force to furnish us copies of them all. l had supposed that in any case which may become the subject of inquiry before the committee on naval affairs, 1t would be con- potent for the committee to request copy of the record of the proceedings of the courts in that particular case Perhaps they might give us the original papers, if it became necessary to see them So if any case became the subject of investigation in the Senate, it would be com petent for the Senate to call for the record in that case but 1 think 1t would lead to great in- convenience to the department, unless, as l stat ed before, they employ extra clerical force to furnish us with copies of the whole proceedings. 1 merely make this suggestion.
 Mr. SLIDELL. As to the first difficulty sug- gested by the Senator from Tennessee, my col ttnnn kl14 there will not be room in this wing of the cap- itol to receive the papers, that, perhaps, may be left to the discretion of the secretary and the secretary arms. l presume some arrange ment can be made. 1 have no idea that the secretary of the navy will think it necessary to have these papers copied. 1 think he may venture to trust these records to the keep | ing of the Senate during reasonable time. | As l before said, so far as 1 am concerned, I do not anticipate that shall ask for the printing Of these records except in some very few cases | indeed; but should like to have an opportunity of examining them, and do not know of any other means of doing it, except by going to the navy department at hours that would not be convenient to myself or the department. When | they are before our committee, some eXamina- ton may be made of them; and those cases selected, the records in relation to which 1t may be necessary to print. 1 really do not see all the objections which present themselves to the fertile imagination of my colleague on the con- mttee on naval affairs. hope the resolution will be allowed to pass.
 | Mr. CRITTENDEN. am entirely content that the Senator from Louisiana shall take his own course in relation to this subject; but wish to make one suggestion, rather to repeat the suggestion made by the Senator from Tennessee, If It would not be better to call for such records as any Senator may desire to have before the l Senate from time to time. In this resolution we call for all these records, and many of them may be entirely useless. They may be cases in which the party is content with the decision that has been made We do not want those records here, certainly. They would be but an ncumbrance. But where 1t is supposed that justice requires any revision of the decision, it may be proper for us to call for the records of trial then; and that would limit the call, per haps, to comparatively few of the records for all know, or 1t may be greater number; at any rate it would not incumber us with those that nobody wants. With this suggestion, I am ready to acquiesce in any course that is desired. think the resolution ought to ex- press. that we desire the original records, and that they shall be returned by us when We have ceased to use them; for they are necessary re- cords of the department and suppose it may be inferred that that would be the course
 There is one other remark I wish to make, and that is, whether it is supposed the calling for these papers is to have the effect of delaying our action in those cases which have been favor ably decided on and in obedience to which the President has made his nominations to the Senate. l hope no such delay as that is con- templated and shall resist any such use being made of this call for records I think they are entitled, by law, to a confirmation at the hands of the Senate. All we have to do is to inquire, as we do generally, as to the fitness of these parties. With these remarks, am content that the Senator shall take the course which he pleases in regard to this subject.
 The VICE PRESIDENT. The hour has arrived for the consideration of the special order
 MT. SLIDELL. think we can djspose of