The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-05-19
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, May IL.

| ohiN "A ne HSnefp question was
suspended, and the credentials of Mr..
Rice were represented, as Senator from
Minnesota. AS soon as they were read,
Mr.. Harlan presented charges from the
people Of Minnesota agains: Mr.. Rice,
charging him with corruption in land
sales. Mr.. Brown objected to the cre-
dentials being received, not because char
ges were made, but because Minnesota
was no State when she elected Rice and
Shields. "The whole thing is wrong"
Here debate ensued. The charge made
is that Mr.. Rice sold land at 81 SO
per acre, and gave receipts for 81 % per
acre. MIR. Seward, of New York,
thought Mr.. Brown more meta physical
than practical. III action of Minnesota
was taken when she was passing from Ter
ritoriai existence into the maturity of
State. The election of these gentlemen
was conditional, that the result should be
effective from the perioG of its becoming
State. MR.. Smart, of Michigan,
condemned the course of Mr. Harlan, and
spoke in the highest terms of the Senators
elect. t.-Mr. Harlan said he did not
know personally the knew Senators; but
he felt it his duty to present the petit
tiens of his constituents, and the facts in
the case. .--Mr. Benjamin, of Louisiana
explained how the charge originated in
the report that Mr.. Rice made to the
War Department. He stated how this
occurred; but no advantage was taken, as
intimated, nor was there anything wrong
in it.-Mr. Bright, of Indiana, defend
ed the new Senators from the imputations
He believed that he would satisfactorily
explain TO the country the matter at issue,
Mr. Davis, of Mississippi, sustained
Mr.. Harlan in presenting these papers of
charges. MIR. Rice was then sworn in,
and Immediately addressed the Senate.
He said that this was his first appearance
in this body, and he felt that he was plac-
ed in an embarrassing pos ton; he had
never received any intimalion of these
charges. If the gentleman from Iowa
had examined the papers on file in the
War Department he would have found
there was not one word of truth in the
, cl ges made. He should demand an in
vestigation, and if one single word i'm
pugned his motives as Government off
Ger he would resign his position as Sena
tor.-Mr. Harlan offered resolution
for committee of Investigation to ex
3 anime the charges, with power to send
e for persons and papers. Laid over
Mr.. Crittenden presented the credential
n ,ul, o1e
in as Senator from Minnesota. Ad
y journed. -5'.
: HOUSE.-The House proceeded tt
: the consideration of business relating t
i the Territories, that being the specia
o order.-M-. Smith, of Va, reported
: bill to establish Territorial Governmen
S for Neveda. Several bills relating t,
e tie Territories, of no general Importance
= were passed. The remainder of the ses
o sion was consumed in the consideratio
! of the bill to ascertain and settle privat
: land claims in New Mexico 80
i WASHINGTON, May 49,
: SENATE. THE Appropriation Bill wa
e read by sections, and number of forms
# amendments were adopted and the bi
l. passed.
Mr.. Doolittle thereupon moved to re
consider. which carried. Yeas %; nay
u l6.-The bill being again under discus
sion, an animated debate continued fc
q over three hours on the proposed inseI
IS tion of a clause to pay John c Rive
J. $3,2 200 for the compensation Of Senat
n reporters. The debate was of disca
!. sive character. Messrs. Hamlin, Brow
IS johnson of Arkansas, Wilson. Bell, Doc
It little and rrumbull defended Rives fro
r the remarks of Mr.. Mason, who chara'
il terized bis circular, sent to Senator'S, in
,r posing restrictions on their revisal
l. speeches delivered, as Infamous, impudei
n- and intrusive.
he Mr.. Toombs, of Ga, spoke with gre,
is animation and considerable acrimor
ct against the Senate having to pay Rive
of reporters. In the course Of his remarl
J. be implied that Mr. Doolittle was actin
s. as an organ of the reporters
Mr. Doolittle retorted by an allusic
, to Galphinism.
-, Mr. Toombs forthwith went over Il
n history of the Galphin case, saying,
supported it in the House and he SUI
II ported it now. AS high-minded men
=, any in the Union supported it, and Il
a denouncers of it were miserable slande
,o ers and towards. -
;, WASHINGTON, May f..
:. SENATE "A resolution was submitte
:. " by Mr.. Beggs, of N. c.. that the Pres
lv dent be requested to communicate to Il
- Senate any information which may ha
been received concerning the recent scar,
or seizure of the American vessels by fo
eign armed cruizers IN the Gulf of Me,
CO and adjacent seas, and also what mea
as ures, if any, have been taken in relate
~ thereto; adopted unanimously.
Is Mr.. Rice submitted a resolution whi
NJ was adopted, that committee be appoir
OF ed to investigate the charges made again
es him by the uitizens of Iowa, respecti