The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-05-27

or the difference but it was taking a re
ceipt for this sum, which he Immediately &C.
counted for al the War Department, giving
the reasons for this course OF proceeding
which was entirely satisfactory to the De
partment
In relation TO this quit-claim matter,
there is also information in that War De.
mrtment report, which, | think, disposes of
that very satisfactorily but this is no, the
time for an investigation into these facts. |
merely wish 10 state today, tina, these pro-
ceedipgs go before the country. that this
charge against Mr.. Rice of receiving 81 so
an acre, and giving receipt for 1925 an
acre, is Charge OF fact which so far from
being denied by him, was done by lin, as
he supposed, with regard to ~ interests Of
the settlers and Immediately reported TO the
War Department, and that there is no sug.
gestiou, even on the part Of the very parties
making this affidavit, that he retained the
difference, but they simply ask that that DIFF
ference be returned to them by the Govern
meut. 1t is no charge whatever affecting
him personally. The Sc: ator from Iowa. l
must say, mistook the suggestion Of the
Senator from Michigan. Nobody suggest
ed that il these charges were put before him
on oath there was any improperly in his
bringing them to the notice Of the Senate (;
but, / think, oil will agrec with me that it
was unusual, dscourteous and will even
say cruel, to bring them forward on such an
occasion as this
Mr.. TONES, Of Georgia, said:
merely wish to say that very promptly
declined making any argument on the extra
ordinary course of the Senator from Iowa.
| considered that the gentleman who has
been elected by Minnesota needs no vindica-
ton from this charge. II il had been sworn
to by all the constituents Of the Senator
from Iowa, and backed by that Senator
himself | should not hesitate al instant
about Il and iio051y' mat iiows this gen.
tleman would, nor would the country. If
he had these charges, he should have pre-.
sented them before this, or he should have
waited and presented them after this. II his
course now grew out Of his want OF judg
ment or want Of knowledge ofwhat was the
appropriate time for Senator and gentle
man to act in such matter, OF course, il is
his misfortune. decline to argue this ques
ton until the Senate shall have acted.
Those who are willing that this gentleman
shall be their peer, that he shall stand on
this floor ready to meet the Senator from
Iowa on these charges or any other, in any
manner whatever, have right TO insist on
his being sworn and therefore, | ask that
the sense Of the Senate be taken on that
question.
Mr.. BAyARD Of Delaware. said
Mr.. President, no acquaintance with the
allegations now made in the statement sub
United by the honorable Senator from Iowa,
can influence me at ALL consider the mat
ter entirely irrelevant to any duty We have
now to perform. think it would be unjust
and cruel to meet Senator here, when his
admission is proposed, by an inquiry into an
alleged fact Of this kind II his credentials
are in proper form, he has a right to be
sworn, and then, il there are any charges 10
be made against him, let them be presented
when he has an opportunity TO NEE, them.
Mr.. BRIGHT, OF Indiana, catechised the
Iowa Senator, until lis friends had to inter
pose.
Mr.. BRloHr. should like to inquire Of
the Senator from Iowa, how long he has had
these papers in his possession
Mr.. HARLAN. / think the memorial Of
the claimants Of these lands was forwarded
perhaps with as much promptitudc as the
mails could bring them, after their date. |
find the date to be on the 4th day Of Janu.
airy, 1855.
Mr.. BHIGHr. How long since the Scna.
tor received them
Dir. iiARIAS. am unable 10 state bow
long, but have had them ia my possession
some days.
Mr.. BRlonr. Has the Senator from To-
wa Informed the Senator from Minpcsota OF
the receipt Of those papers, and of the
charges contained in them
Mr.. HALE. rise TO a question OF order.
! think this catcchislng Senator's across the
Seaatc IS out Of order
Mr.. Harlan. ! am willing TO answer the
Vd'Htioii'
Mr HALE. lam not.
Mr, BsiGur Ny object in making the
inquiry was 70 az certain whether il could he
possible that any gentleman holding com
mission a. Senator on ,his floor could ~
ceive papers containing charges az grave as
those made in the papers presented against
a brother Senator, and conceal all kn0gl-
edge Of the fac, from the party charged M
Ill a psriod Of time Ike this think such
conduct unprecedented, supplementary,
and unsena,orial II the senator from
Iowa was in possession Of those papers, ]
submit to the consideration Of every Scna-
tor whether i, was not proper, whether il
was not respectful, whether ii was not dne
TO gentlemen interested. ard u be was not
acquainted with him, whether II was not at
least due from him to tie friends Of the par
" assaed, that he should have u nde known
the contents Of those papers. the character
Of those charges. that Opportunity OF ex-
PLANTATION might be given. # j, could be- a'
| doubt not it can ahd vii! b. IN proper