The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-02-25

ned against than SHINING, and he would moi
submit to see him wounded in the house of his
friends. He then proceeded to defend the K ansas
policy of the Administration. The President had
done his duty in the crisis nlsgnanimously and
fearlessly, and appealed to Northern men to stand
BY him, sacrificing party 10 patriotism, and sec.
tional prejudices to principle and right. Ore
gon, Washington, Minnesota, and Nebraska
were already secure to the North, and Kansas
must be theirs eventually; surely, then, they
might concede to the South the meagre princi.
pie, the barren sceptre, for which they con-
tended.
Mr.. Burroughs, of New York, obtained the
floor, when the Committee rose.
At five minutes before four o'clock the House
adjourned.
Friday, February l9, 1853.
SENATE
Pirate BiUs-Mr. Wade moved that the
Senate proceed to the consideration of private
bills on the calendar; which motion was agreed
to with great unanimity, and the Senate took
up and passed several bills, among others,
A bill TO amend the Act to inccrrorate the
Columbia Institution for the instruction of the
deaf, dumb, and blind" approved February Is.
1857.
The vote was taken by yeas and nays, and
decided in the Acknowledgment 27, nays TO-
The Vice President announced the special
order, being the bill for the increase of the mill
tary establishment of the United States but.
on motion, the subject was postponed until
Tuesday next, on the ground that the chairman
Of the Committee 90 Military Affairs was de-
srous 10 close the debate, and to reply to some
structures wherein he thought he had been IN
Justly aasaied.
The Senate then proceeded with the private
calendar, and then adjourned to Tuesday.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Hoard, of New York, said he rose to a
question of privilege, and caused to be read let
ter from Mr.. Burns, of Ohio, addressed to himself,
to the effect that he (Mr. Ii took occasion on
Friday last to lay before the House an anonv.
nous paragraph from the New York Tribune,
containing a false and foul Islander against him,
Mr.. B. y of a nature which, if true, would dis
qualify MIN Mr.. b. from holding his seat :;
that he Mr.. 81. refused to endorse the false,
hood; that it was his duty to investigate The
matter, if be suspected him Mr.. B to be gull
ty of the offence charged aud that if he found
him to be innocent, it would also be his duty to
rise in his place and set him (Mr. B. right be-
fore the Eouse.
Mr.. Ii. said he wished to respond to that let
ter.
Mr.. Stephens, of Georgia, said it was not a
question of privilege, and he objected.
So did Messrs. Florence and Barnett
The House went into Committee of the Whole
on the private calendar, M. Stanton Of Ohio,
in the chair j and, after the transaction of lit
tie business, the Committee rose.
Mr.. Hatch, of New York, asked unanimous
consent to make personal explanation.
Mr.. Gddings, of Ohio, said he would object
to any personal explanation from that side, I'M
less the objection to an explanation by the gen.
tleman from New York Mr.. Hoard was with
drawn. Subsequently he withdrew the objec-
ton, understanding that the Obj seton to Mr.
Hoard's explanation had been Withdrawn.
Mr.. Hatch proceeded to reply to some re-
marks of Mr.. Zoilicoffer, concerning Know Moth
ing oaths, &c.
After brief discussion, Mr.. Hoard rose to
personal explanation; but
Mr.. Burnett moved that the House adjourn :;
which was lost-57 to 81.
After repeated attempts of Administration
members to prevent action,
Mr.. Hoard sent to the Chair question of
privilege:
Whereas statement has been made by a
member of this House, importing that the Hon.
Mr.. Burns, of Ohio, had stated to him. in a
conversation on the subject of his vote on the
resolution of the Hon. Mr.. Harris, of Illinois,
to commit 10 a select committee the President's
message on the Kansas question, that he was to
have certain official patronage or appointm ents
to office at his disposal and whereas the Hon.
Mr.. Burns had previously been free in bis
avowal Of sentiments with which his vote on
that occasion was in conflict, thus furnishing
ground to suspect that some improper rhnence
had been exerted to bias the said members Of
fetal action as a member of this House.
" Resotced, That committee of five be sp-
pointed by the Speaker, to inquire and investi-
gate whether any improper attempts have been
or are being made, directly or Indirectly, by
any person connected with the Executive Dee
psrtment of this Government, or by any other
person, with their advice or consent 10 inhu.
ence the action of any member of this House
upon any question or measure upon which the
House has acted, or which it has under consid-
Grafton, with power to send for persons and
papers, and leave to report at any time, by bill
or otherwise"
Mr.. 81. was proceeding to address the House;
when
Mr.. Burnett called him to order, alleging
that private letter could not be made subject
of debate, and that the preamble and resolution
did not raise question of privilege.
The Speaker said, in &C ,ordance with prece-
dents, he would submit the question to the
House in this wise Shall the resolution be
received and entertained, on the ground that
the privileges of the House are involved2"
This question being debatable, Mr.. Hoard
was entitled to the floor.
Mr. Hoard said the letter read in the morn
ing, although dated yesterday, was received by
him the night before, and he yesterday endeav
ored to obtain the floor to reply to it. He was
informed that after the vote on Mr.. Hsrris's
resolution, Mr.. Burns, of Oao, having voted
against it, stated to member Of the House
that certain Executive patronage or appoint
ments to office were at his disposal. This ad-
mission he made, upon being inquired of az to
how he came to give such q vote. In calling
the attention of the House to the subject out
of which Mir. Burns's letter grew, he was actu-
ated by no feeling of unkiudnes5 either towards
Mr.. Burns, whom he did not even know by
sight, or any one else. He believed the Exec
utive Department were endeavoring to influence
members improperly, aud would not consent
to be diverted from the real issue by any at
tempts to make it a personal matter.
The prerogatives and independence of the
House were involved, and 1t was in his judg-
ment essential that the House should institute
an investigation, in order tina. those implicated
might have an opportunity to clear themselves
of suspicion, and the House might assert its
rights and independence. He would have felt
himself bound to make reparstion for any
currency he had given these reports, but, so far
as be could learn, the charges were well found
ed. The honor of the House and justice to its
members demanded an investigation of the
facts in this and similar cases that might come
to light, and he hoped the House would agree
to the resolution he had offered. The Admin.
istrstion was in the majority in the House, and
with them rested he responsibility whether the
investigation should be allowed or smothered
Mr.. Taylor, of New York, moved that the
Honso ad;