The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-05-20
ssl0naI.
WASHINGTON. May !.


Mr. Toombs presented the credentials Of
Mr.. Rice as Senator from Minnesota.
AS soon as they were read, Mr.. Harlan
presented charges from the people Of Iowa
charging Mr.. Rice with corruption in land
sales. lie (IIarlan) did not know what
was the objection to the reception Of the
credentials. One Of the charges is that Mr..
| Rice sold land at one dollar and hall per
acre, and gave receipts for one dollar and a
/ quarter per acre.
Mr.. Brown would not oppose the recep-
| ton Of the credentials on the charges, but
| because Minnesota was not State when
she elected Senators.
Mr.. Seward thought Mr.. Brown more
metaphorical than practical The action
Of Minnesota was taken when she was pas
sing from territorial existence into the
maturity Of State. The election OF these
| gentlemen was conditional, that the result
1 should be effective from the period Of its
becoming State.
Mr. Stuart condemned the course OF Mr.
Harlan, and spoke in the highest terms Of
the Senators elect.
! Mr.. Harlan said, he did not personally
I hioW tui 'JtDdtcio tlNtt, Oht itlt ~ MS iutl
TO present the petitions Of his constituents.
Mr.. Bright defended the new Senator
from imputatons cast upon him by Mr..
Harlan in presenting tina charges.
1 Mr. Rice was then sworn in and immcdi
ately addressed the Senate. This he said,
was his first appearance in that body, and
he felt that he was placed in an embarras-
sing position. He had not received any in
! timation of these charges. II the Senator
from Iowa. Mr. Harlan, had examined the
papers on file in the War Department, he
would have found that there was not one
word of truth in the charges made. He,
Rice, should demand an investigation, and
il one single word impugued his motives as
government officer, he would resign his
position as a Senator.
Mr. Harlan then offered resolution for
/ the committee to investigate, with authority
to send for persons and papers. Laid over.
! Mr. Crittenden presented the credentials
Of Gen. Shields. who was also sworn in As u
Senator from Minnesota.
WASHINGTON, May l3, 1856.
HoCsE.-Mr Phillips, Of Pennsylvania,
said that Messrs. Cavanaugh and Phelps,
members from Minnesota, were present, and
moved that they be sworn.
The certificates Of election were read and
| found to be signed by Samuel Medary, Gov
ernor OF Minnesota, and dated in December
last.
Mr.. Sherman objected to the adminstrs-
ton of the oath
Mr.. Ietcher said that in Virginia the
I sheriffs gave certificates Of election. The
governor had nothing to do with it. Mr..
Sherman remarked that these certificates
were signed by government ofilceholdcr, in
Ohio He did not know by what power or
authority.
| II was known that the Constitution OF
Minnesota provided for the election OF tire
members of Congress by general ticket, and
/ he desired TO b. informed where the creden.
tails of the third member were.
Mr., Phillips replied that these were the
! only credentials he had seen.
Mr. Sherman said that by other provisions
/ of the Constitution of Minnesota, the term
Of Governor does not commence until after
! the State is admitted into the Union, and
/ this was the only mode by which the House
could indge who is the executive officer Of
| this State Medary is not Governor Of Min
nesota. but Post Master oil Columbus, Ohio,
! Mr. Phillips pointed to the fact that the
| members from California were elected by
/ joi ballot, and presented sepe rate certit-
/ Gates.
! Mr.. Sherman replied that similar diff
( Guilty did not occur in the California case,
/ because there were only two members Min
nesota had elected three, when only two
were entitled to seats.
! Mr.. Nilsson, Of Virginia, offered rcsolo-
/ ton that the certificates and credentials OF
those elected as members from Minnesota,
/ be- referred to the committee on elections
with Instructions to examine and report as
to their right To I've sworn as members.
MIR. Phelps referred TO the fact that when
he was first elected, his certificate said he
was duly excited by qualified voters.
The Speaker said he should follow the
/ precedent in the California case, when the
chair referred to the House for their deci-
sion whether members I've sworn.
Mr.. Harris, Of Illinois, thought il better
for the public business, that the subject bc
examined ny the COMMITTEES on Elections
who will Immediately have a meeting.
Mr. Florence. OF. Pennsylvania, said If by
general consent the members were sworn IN,
he would have no objection TO The subject
gong before the Committee.
Mr.. Hughes OF Indiana. movri that the
House adjourn.
Mr.. Morgan. OF New York. objected u
the noise on the bemocratic SIDE, while "n
the Republican side all was quiet.
The speaker expressed the opinion that
then was dis rider on both sijts, and called
the House TO order.
Mr.. Hughes motion was voted down, and
Mr.. Shcrmaus agrci 10 by mai
The question REQUIRED on s-re,ins Ia Mr,
Philips motion Is amended by the adoption
Of Mr. Wilson's substitute, AMI it was de-
cdtd IN the affirmative by los against -,
Sgxsrx.-From the meeting Of the Sem
ate a, II A. NJ, to Z. NJ, the discussion
WAS upon wha, to take up.
~ II = ktl