The Washington union., 1858-02-26
THE WASHINGTON UNION.

Immediately upon the consideration of the House He
would ask that it be postponed to particular day. and
the reason why he asked that indulgence that he be-
Iieved that the bill more indicative OF the senti-
ment of both houses than any yet presented The sub
had been discussed la the other branch of Congress-
and il time that the House should present. It's views,
and il was time that reply should be given TO the
request of the President transmitted in his annual mes
sage And there TO be any volunteer force offered
to the President every man knew that 1t should be
clothed and established very soon lie then moved that
the bill be recommted and its further consideration post
poned till the first Monday in March which motion
agreed to.
Mr. FAULKNER, of Virginia, from the same commit
tee presented the views OF the minority and asked
that the same disposition should be made of them which
agreed 10.
Mr. GARTRELL of Georgia, presented certain resolu-
ons of the legislature of that State and they laid
ON the table and ordered to be printed.
EXPULSION xArEsoS.
The House then resumed the consideration of the fol-
lowing resolutions introduced by Mr. HARRIS of Illinois,
this day being set apart for their consideration
whereas at the last Congress select COMMITTEES Of this
reported the following resolutions, TO wit
from York parties deeply
Joint resolution for constituting the es Mnes grant TO
eraons coru for the Of procuring the Of said
Rrd That orsaars b MAlrloS in declaring tina, large
number Of the members of this House had associated themselves
law or resolution granting money Or lands unless they were paid
has falsely and unusy assaled and DETAINED the character this
Resolved That MArrHs, member Of this House
from the state Of New York be- and s hereby expelled hersoM
redcaed which published with the reports the
House February by
S ayes 70 II noes and the SAID second resolution was adopted by
had being taken the last resolution
had been passed
House with the mpnaon conveyed by the passage the two first
the foregoing resolutions still him and without having been
subsequently reelected by his constituents therefore,
Resolved MATsos member of this House from
tho Stale Of NeW Nur IL
House.
Mr. HARRIS, of Illinois, said the resolutions under all
the circumstances, were proper
Mr.. SEWARD, of Georgia, desired to make a motion.
Mr. HARRIS said he would hear it,
Mr.. SEWARD desired to make motion that the sub
ect be committed to special committee for the reason
that he did not believe the House had jurisdiction
the case and would show that fact by the law and the
constitution.
Mr. HARRIS replied that he could not yield the floor
for that purpose at this time The resolutions in
troduced in the firm belief not only that the House had
power pass he but that it the duty of the House
to do it, He did not know that he should have intro
duced them had not been that the House previously
decided to go into examination of the conduct OF the
members of the last Congress There doubt as to
the power Of the House The House might by majority
of its members intct punishment upon any of its
bers and with the of twothids expel him
This power which the House ought to possess and
power only exercised by concurrence Of two thirds.
That very fact guarded the power and prevented any
abuse When he first introduced his resolution he him
self proposed to have committee to inquire into the
of the House, not because he entertained any doubt
about it, but in Difference to the wishes of others Yield
ing to their suggestions, he had modified his resolution
accordance with his views and the views of others In
that form it stood He should not enter into
gument show the necessity for its passage for all the
facts in the form of depostions and upon the
records of the House They published with the
ports the last session. and doubt been examined
by all the members of the House He willing that
the question should be taken the motion of the gen
teman from Georgia and did not wish to precpate the
action of the House.
Mr. KEITT, of South Carolina stated the circumstan
ces which had influenced him in moving the postpone
ment of the resolutions A friend of the member imp
Gated (Mr Moulton who represented that he was dem
ocrat and had been competitor with Mr. MATrEos for
his scat had to him. and desired him to do 1t in
consequence of the absence of the member implicated at
the sick bed of his wife, and the inability of Mr. HARRIS
who had introduced the resolution to be in the House
that day. He alluded to the conflicting rumors in
gard to the illness of Mrs Matteson and caused to be
read letter from her nominal physician to the effect
that he had been Mrs Matteson's physician for
than year. and that she had scarcely well day for
six months and for the past six weeks had been suffering
more than usual He had no motion 10 make and no
comment to offer.
MIR. SEWARD, of Georgia, said in his judgment, this
of the grayest questions that had been presented
to the House for its decision and while he condemned
strongly any the conduct of the member affected
by their decision yet he willing to respect the laws
and the constitution of the country, and to defend
only civil and criminal jurisdiction its members but
he laid down the proposition without the fear of contra
diction, that unless law could be shown some
provision in the constitution that attached perpetual
disqualification to this member the House by its action
last session exhausted its entire constitutional power
the question He would ask whether there any
member of the House who willing to vote for
ond punishment for the same offence He quoted from
Cushing to show that expulsion from legislative body
could not be regarded Disqualification unless spec
ally provided for by law This power had been exerted
in the British Parliament but it under statute Of
Parliament He voted at the last Congress for the ex
puson of the member because 1t due to the dignity
of the House He believed that the punishment was
just but yet he going to undertake to set up the
doctrine that by OF that expulsion there dis
qualification attaching to him TO prevent the people Of
his district from sending him back He had respect
for the member but only for the constitution and power
of the House, and when called upon to give his VOTE he
should give 1t regardless of all responsibility and in &C
cordance with the convictions of his judgment.
Mr.. HOUSTON, of Alabama inquired whether the
fact that the people of the members district had had
opportunity to pass upon the action of the last Congress
did not give the present Congress jurisdiction the
Mr.. SEWARD replied that the question of Jurisdiction
not affected by what the people might do attempt
tod The House had exhausted its powers. In conclu-
sion he moved that the resolution be referred to select
committee of five members
Mr.. STANTON of Ohio, stated that they had passed
the resolution notwithstanding the resignation Of the
member
Mr.. MARSHALL, of Kentucky, read from the proceed
ngs of the last Congress to show that there were two
branches of the resolution asserting that he had as
socated himself with others in pedging that thew would
not vote for any bill resolution granting money or land
without consideration and had falsely assailed the
character of the House and proved himself unworthy to