Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1858-04-07
Thirty.Fifth Congress-First Session.

SATURDAY, March 81, 1858.
Uorsr or REpREsENrArIvEs-The House proceed
ed to the consideration Of TIE report Of the special
committee the MatteSon case which conciudes
with resolution that it is ineXpedent to take fur.
,her action in regard to the resolution for his expul-
sion.
sed in the report The House has, by the Constitu-
ton, power to punish member Tor disoraerly con-
duct. and by a vete Of two thirds may expei men,
ber but it never was designed that the charge
should be revived at a subsequent Congress- because
there is power to limit or restrict the sovereignty
of the peopie in the choice Of their representatives.
Mr.. Craiee, of N. c., asked whether any legisla-
tive body has not right to protect itself against
scounderlism and against association with man
whose reputat on is UNANIMOUSLY corrupt .
Mr.. Seward replied that there so much d.
versy Of opinion as to what constitutes gentemah,
he should like Mr.. Crage to fix the legal standard
Mr. Craige said the House could protect Itself
when mans character pronounced infamous,
and about which there no diversity OF opinion.
Mr.. Seward remarked he was not here as Prosecu-
tor or defender of Mr. Matteson but he was endeav-
oring to explain the law as he understood 1t. lie
asked Mr. Craige to put his finger on the record and
show that Mr. Matteson interested in the trans
actions Investigated by the previous Congress.
Mr.. Craige aid by universal consent Mr.. Matteson
was not a fit associate for any man.
Mr. Seward observed that the gentleman from
| North Carolina was not bound to associate with Mr.
! Matteson more than he There is nothing TO
show that Matteson was engaged in bribery or was
bribed.
Mr.. Richie moved to lay the whole matter on the
table Agreed to-yens 96, nays G9.
Mr. Cobb, Of Alabama, from the commt,se !:.:"i o,,
pubc lands reported Senate bill TO create additional
land districts in the State of California and for other
purposes, and it was read three times and passed.
| MIR. Smith of Virginia. yesterday made state
ment to the effect that Mr. Norris of Illinois, INFORM
ed him that at the commencement oil the preseh'
session of CONGRESS the Democratic portion OF the
Illinois delegation had conference, ana came 10 the
conclusion that the only chance OF Judge Dougias
for re- election to the Senate of the United States
was for him to oppose Kansas under the Lecomp'ot
| Constitution.
Mr. Shaw of Illinois, to-day alluded to this state
ment and denied knowledge OF any such conferences
certainly he did not participate in any
Mr.. Morris denied that conference was held, al
though he recollected private conversation u
! which he freely made :his gentleman aware oil = nl
views on political questions and sought to efec
some arrangement BY which to avert division IN In IN
Democratic party. He said that Mr. Smi'h na
wholly msapprehended his remarks.
Messrs. Robert Smith and Marshall both OF ILLINOIS
said that no such conference was held
Mr. Barnett, who evidently rose with reluctance
nc he did not wish to be mixed up in this matte
made a statement corroboratng the statement
= Mr. Smith. :,
= Mr.. Morris remarked that the conversation o.
l. tween Mr.. Smith and himself was private one,
r. the presence of his (Mr. Morris family and aske
how would any gentleman like private conversatie
's' 10 be repeated in public.
Mr.. Smith replied, in substance, that ne N nao
poitical secrets himself and could see no differen
h between public men and public acts. But II q co
yersation was under the injunction OF confidence
IN of course, would not repeat 1t.
W The House went into committee, when Mr. Lane
lr Oregon, made speech in favor OF the ADMISSION
Kansas under the Lecompton Constitution, and