Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-06-12


the authorities of Utah will not execute the
laws, even for the punishment Of the crime
Of murder? Then, was it not an ast of
prudence, Of sound judgement, and cf prop
er discretion on the part Of the President.
that he should accompany the officers with.
means Of seeing that the laws were execu-
ted and fairly carried out
/ Mr.. LETTER } answer that, so far
from it being an, act Of prudence, | believe,
that the President has been misled by de-
signing men, and VIXEN he got his army
there
Mr.. LETCHER. So far as that is con-
eerned, + think the gentleman, if he knew
more about the President. would agree
with me that he is about as hard to lead
as any other piece Of humanity in this
country. Laughter ] Neither designing
men nor undesigning men could make
much Roadway in Leading him and think,
from what | have seen, It would be trou-
blcsome operation to Irice him.
MIR. LETTER. Is it not fact, that q
private citizen Of the Unised States vert
out to che Territory and brought about
pcace-if there was any trouble before
the army got near it Z?
Mr.. l4ETCHER. I have never heard
Of it. IF it is, do not know it. The first
intfmation I have had that any private ci4i-
zen was trying to bring about an arrange
ment, was what I saw in the newspapers
about Mr.. Kane, Of whom | never heard
before, who, it was stated, had gone there
and had made some arrangement by which
Gov. Cumming was to enter Salt Lake City,
and take charge of the territorial govern
ment. But If, as the gentleman says, the
President sent the army there for the pur-
pose Of declaring war and using it often
sivefy, will he tell me why the asmy has
NOT been used when it is upon the ground 2
Mr. LETTER. ! cannot say, unless it
be from the fact that the President had not
nerve enough to carry out bis design.
Mr.. LETCI1ER. / take it that if the
President BAD nerve enough to call out the
army, and send it across the plains to
Utah, ie violation Of law and in violation
Of his official duty, as the gentleman says
he did. he would have had nerve enough
to give the order to fire the gums when the
people set themselves np in opposition to
the laws
Mr. LETTER. They did not get within
range Of firing guns at all. Everything
was peaceful and quiet
Mr.. LETCHER They could have been
within range if they had chosen to go.
Mr.. LETTER I desire to ask the gen.
tlspsap another question
Mr.. LETCHER. Be quick, then; it
must be the last How much time have |,
Mr.. Chairman?
The CHAIRMAN The gentlcman has
Eve minutes.
Mr.. LETTER. IF the gentleman has
only FIVE nsinuses left, will not interrupt
biIn
Dfr fletcher. The gentleman from
Ohio, [MR. SHERMAN, undertook to make
another point on the administration in the
way Of extravaganza He referred TO the
eustom-hcuse at New Orlaans,. ard said
that it was sinking, and had been built
where it probably could NOT stand. / con-
eur in that opinion; and / can say, as the
gentleman knows, as every gentleman here
perhaps Knows. that have been opposed
to these appropriations for custom-houses
ever since came to Congress. But, if
5he New Orleans custom-house is ehargea-
bic to anybody, 60 back and put the blame
upon the administration that preceded Gen
cral pierce's, under which the work was
started, and under which your policy Of
building custom-houses began. The work
was commences then ): and ever since that
time they have been calling for additional
appropriations, and telling us that, if we do
not make. them, every dollar which has
been heretofore applied to make the works
available and useful will be thrown away
Mr.. SHEEN AN, Of Ohio. The gem
tlcman will find that the custon+house at
New Orleans was commenced under the
administration of President Polk. The first
law was passed in 1873
Mr.. LETCHER. The work was con-
meneed in 1850 or 1851, and Mr.. Polk
went out in March, 1S49.
Mr.. SHERMAN, of Ohio. would say
to the gentleman that there was demo-
cratic majority in both branches Of Con-
gress in 1850.
Mr.. WASHBURN, Of Maine. and
there has been ever since, except in the
House during the last Congress.
Mr. sLECHIsR Well, now, let us see.
There arc some custom houses up in Maine.
Laughter And | would remind my
friend over there that he probably voted for
some of them.
Mr.. WASHBURN, of Maine. Yes,
sir.
Mr. LETCHER. Then my honorable
friend from Ohio
Mr.. WASHBURN. Will the gentle
man from Virginia yield to me for mo-
ment?
Dir. LETCIIER. For single moment.
! Mr. WASHBURN, Of Maine. As the
gentleman from. Virginia has alluded to
Maine, he will allow me to say, that while
his party friends were asking very large APP
preparations for eustona-houses in his part
of the country-for instance, for custom
house in New Orleans, which we are told
is to cost $4,000, 600; for one in Charles
ton to cost over two millions, and for other
places in the same proportioa-I believe
that some two. OF three appropriations of
SO, 600 and SO, 600 each were made for
custom houses in Maine. The gentleman
has inquired who are responsible for the
vast appropriations which have been made
for the last few years, and seems to be in
pursuit Of knowledge under apparent diff
culties, and I will endeavor to enlighten
| him If he will nerr,s4 mo hy stating that