New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-01-16
xxxy,h CONGREss.....Firs Session
SENATE. .wAsHINGroS, Jan. Is, 1853.
The Senate is not in session.
uOr-sE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Mr. BOCOCK asked the House to take up the Joint
resolution of the Senate the whole effect OF wnt .
sion authorizing the naval officers who were Affected
BY the Retiring Board to apply within one year 10
hay their cases examined, the action of the Naval
Courts of Inquiry being the ground on whoh tue rres
ident might nominate for restoration.
. II was not known outside the Senate what was
going on there, but it was known that these Courts
have acted on certain cases and that the PRESIDENT
has made nominations which have not yet been dis
posed of BY the Senate IL was fair to presume that the
Naval Committee of the Senate were considering the
proceedings Of those Courts.
This was the last day when anything can be done
under that resolution which, II not now passed, VIII
render imperative all these Courts have done.
Mr.. JONES Of Tennessee would prefer that the
resolution should come up for consideration Id regular
order 1t proposed TO increase the number oi onees
of the navy, to which he was opposed.
The resolution was then read
Mr. LOVEJOY objected to its consideration.
Mr. BURNETT offered resolution, which was
passed authorizing Special Committee to investigate
the facts attending the sale OF Fort Smelling and 70
employ a stepogrepher. He remarked that this was
a case which the public interests required should nave
ON motion. Mr. HOUSTON, from the Committee
on the Judiciary, reported resolution, which wa&
adopted authorizing the said CQnmlttee to send TOT
persons and papers in relation to the charges against
Judge Watrous OF Texas.
Mr.. STANTON offered preamble setting forth that
whereas it appears by the published report Of the
Committee appointed TO investigate the affairs OF the
Middesex Manufacturing Company, that sS1 NO were
paid TO secure the passage OF the Tariff Act OF 1851,
and that satisfactory explanation has been given
relating to the application OF It, with the exception Oh
1 $4,000, there should be an investigation.
The charge Is tending very serously TO prejudice the
reputation and character OF the members Of the last
| House who voted for the Tariff act. Therefore he
proposed the appointment of a select Committee OF
Five to investigate the charges, and inquire whether
any member officer Of the House received any part
of the money; with power to send for persons and
papers.
paid for the benefit, directly indirectly,
OF any officer or member OF the House, the Commit
tee shall present specific charges, in which case
another Committee of Five shall he appointed to in
vestgae such charges the accused TO be informed Of
the place and time Of the meeting, in order for de-
Tense, examination Of witnesses, &c.
Mr.. Stanton said that he had delayed Offering the
resolution till now, in the hope that some gentleman
who favored the Tariff would move for such inves-
tgatiOn. The charges were presented 10 such form
as demand the notice of the House. 1t not mere
newspaper rumor, but the information was furnished
by moDeyed corporation, through its Committee TO
investigate its finances and the disbursements of its
funds
tons in order to ascertain whether money used
to influence the action of the House.
Mr.. BURLINGAME said, AS a general rule, he
would be against taking cognizance of any transac-
ton which did not in the presence Of the House
or the Senate either to interrupt the de-
liberatioDs of Congress. He would not magnify the
power Of the House. nor would he have II take uris-
diction Of matters which might more properly be
taken charge Of and investigated by tribunals estab
lshed by law for the purpose Of securing to citizens
Of the country their rights, but in this he would
depart from the general rule of policy which he would
select for his own guidance. So many grave charges
have been made by individuals aud partisan press
with what motives and for what purposes he would
not undertake TO intimate, that it seemed him that
the House would consult its dignity well rs its honor
by adopting the resolutions. OF the facts disclosed
by the committee of the manufacturing company he
knew nothing excepting what he lad seen in news
papers, but II seemed that entry Of money used
in procuring the passage Of the Tariff act was
found their books. There was however no
charge, even by implication, against any member
Of Congress- but charges have been made by respon-
slbe parties. He, "a 4 representative from Massa-
chusetts, IN which State this Manufacturing Company
had s chief establishment, wished this matter probed
to the bottom. He took occasion 10 say that he did
not believe that the hands Of any Member Of this
House lave been stained by the money Of Lawrence,
Stone Co. The name cf the senior partner of the
I'm has stood and Glands to-day as a synonym Of
Mercantile honor and integrity. He would not deepen
the shadow which rest,d on it, because Of the honored
dead Who love il aud the generous living who bear it.
He hoped that this investigation would Disclose the
fact that the senlornember Of that firm had been
fortunate rather than involved in the intention Of
crime. Whatever may have been his motives, he
himself preferred 10 esteem him a friend but he
would not shield him from the commission Of wrong.
Mr.. DAVIS Md said that man held the poit-
zeal press in more contempt than he. He stood no
-
should take notice Of il, except 10 carry it before
the Grand Jury for vile libel. When charges are
n ade in the press, be deemed them unworthy Of in
ves;igaOn. He reg arded his reputation and the rep
utatOn Of every gentleman here more than enough
TO look in tn. face the whole combined pcess Of
the country But this different case IL
involved Of the merchant princes, in the books
Of whose firm entry appeared Of $500 paid
for procuring the passage OF the Tariff act.
This is statement based on q responsible
name. and il adequate foundation for nyestiga-
ton. The record iid not say how the money was dis
lbUted II may have been spent lie Ultimately to pay
the expenses Of agents Ii got into the hands of any
member, let him die the death. He was for following
the precedent of the last Congress in conducting this
rrp,sed investigation. The Select Committee ap-
pointed to inquire into charges against certain man,
btrs charged with corruption, oppressed man in his
rights and character, but al! treated justly care
fully and tenderly He opposed at length M. STAN
ton pre- position, who clothed the Committee with the
powers Of Grand Jury, and in the absence Of tho
record left tie character Of the accused open
pcion.
Dir. STANTON, in reply, said he proposed that the