The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1858-06-08
Washington. June 2

Certain actions were brought against collec-
tors and other federal officers in New York,
and Mr.. McKeon, the district Attorney, in pur-
suance Of special order or general instruction
appeared and took measures for their defence
While the actions were pending, Mr.. McKeon
was superseded by Mr.. Sedgwiek; hence arose
the question of the Secretary Of the Treasury
to the Attorney General, who has decided, first,
that the District Attorney cannot in any case
charge more for his services than the fee bill
expressly allows him to receive; second, that
where ministerial or other officer sued for an
| act done in the lawful discharge Of his duty,
the Government, who employs him, is bound
| to stand between him and the consequences
| that If done at the request of the Department,
that it is for it to pay him such sums of money
as may be agreed upon, and that if the act is
done in bad faith the officer is to take care of
himself and third, that it is for the Secretary
of the Treasury ip his discretion to decide
whether the ut-going Attorney shall cease all
communications with the pending suits against
the collectors, and where the cases have been
prepared by the late Attorney it is better to
employ him as an assistant
The report concerning the steamers Fulton
and Styx is believed to be false. The rumor
has been current here for three days that up to
last night the Government had no informa-
kion on the subject.
HoUsE.-Mr. Harris, of H., from the Commit
tee on elections reported in favor of declaring
the seat of Mr.. Harris Of Nd, vacant on the
ground of fraud and violence in his election.
The House resumed the consideration of the
Fort Smelling report.
Mr.. Clark of New York, differed from the con-
clusions of the ma jorty and minority reports,
there is not the slightest ground for impcach-
ing the personal or official integrity of the Sec
nE u. I,,t tt
was injudicious and improper, it was probable
or possible that there was an entire want of
power for the sale and it was probably avoida-
bic becuse oe the circumstances attendingit.
Mr.. Smith, of Ill. said when he offered the
resolution OF enquiry, on which this report was
made he discaimed making any charge offraud
or corruption against any one, he did not now
believe that the Secretary acted corruptly or
dishonest, but was deceived in the selection Of
an agent to effect the sale.
Mr. Barksdale of Miss, appealed to the House
in view of the short time remaining of the ses.
sion to come to a vote, he presumed that every
man had made up his mind, he moved the pre-
vious question, aud the motion was second
ed.
Mr.. Petit of Ind, closed the debate, he con
tended that the sale could not be justified hy
law usage, practice or morals, the act through
out was wrong, he defended the report of the
majority.
SESATE-The business was Of no public inter-
est till | o'clock, when Mr.. Mason procured the
consent of the Senate to make the resolutions
concerning the British aggressions the special
order for Saturday noon.
Mr.. Houston of Texas tried to bring up his
resolution in reference TO protectorete over
Mexico. In speaking to the resolution, he said
if the government Of this nation does not inter.
tere in the name Of outraged humanity in Mex
leo, men will be found who will not shrink from
interposng to protect their rights and the rights
of their fellow citizens.