Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1858-03-05
CONGRESSIONAL.


lect committee to examine the charge Of Execu-
tive interference upon the action Of members
The question pending, being: shall the resOlu-
ton be entertained?
As question of privilege, Mr.. Hoard pro-
posed an amendment, charging on his own au-
thority and common fame, the President with
endeavOTing to control the action of the House
OF LecomptOn, by executive patronage.
Humphrey Marshall suggested postpone
ment for one month.
Mr.. Burnett objected to a postponement and
said it was due to Mr.. Burns, the member i'm
plicated that he should hive hearing now
The charge was baSeleSs and contemplate and
calculated to injure the Democratic party as
well Mr.. Burns Mr.. Hoard said he had
twice disclaimcd personal hostility.
MIR. Burns sent up written statement char
ging that Mr.. Hoard intended to make q false
and slanderouS record against him, and that he
shall hereafter treat Hoard and his slang with
contempt they merit in the estimation of all
honorable men. he further denied collision
with the President or Cabinet rs to his vote.
Nothing occurred directly or indirectly.
Mr.. Hoard again diSclaimed party spirit or an
intention to wound the feelings of any man.
When he introduced the proposition he did rot
suppose there would be any opposition. He
cOntendcd that it was legitimate subject of in
quiry, and that common fame was sufficient
ground for all investigation 1t is common ru-
NOR that the Executive is now endeavoring to
control the action of the House as he has here
tOfore endeaYOred. Twas common rumor that
led to the investigation in Wolcott's case In
moving for inquiry, he was not in pursuit of the
victim, but the offender. Sir. Hoard said he
was informed that Mr.. Morris had twice endeav-
orded to get the floor to make some affirmation
of tue truth of the statement which Burns
deemed relative TO his vote on the .Lecomption
message to Committee on Territories Smith
Of ILL.,, and Morris of ILL.,, had bo:h informed
him CHoard) That Burns was previously relied
on as anti. Lecompton.
Mr.. Blair reported conversation with Mr.
Morris, cOrTobOrating Hoard's statement
AIR. Nichols said that when common fame was
presented as ground for investigation, twas be-
meath the dignity of the House to entertain the
subject. The allegation against his colleague
was ialse-he never expected, charged the
Marshalship of Ohio The members all know,
without investigation. that the power of patron
age is brought to bear in favor of Administra-
ton measures, and this has been the practice in
all administrations.
Mr.. Giddings asked Nichols TO make an ex-
ceptiOn in favor of John Quincy Adams, who
once declared, on this floor, that while Presi-
dent, lie never but on one occasion asked an ap-
pontulent, aud that was Deputy Post Master,
i'll whose favor he wrote note to Mr. Mclean,
WHO declared the applicant unfit aud there the
matter ended.
Mr.. Nichols replied there were honorable ex.
cepllOnS. lie moved to lay the subject on the
table, including the resolution of Mr. Burns,
which Mr.. Hoard had refused to accept as a
substitute 1t provided for the appointment of
n Committee of Inquiry whether there had been
any collision between the President and AIR.
Burns; whether improper attempts had been
made, directly or indirectly, to influence the ac-
ton of any member of the House on any matter
on which the Honse has acted or has under con-
sideration; with power to send for persons and
paperS Tablpd-92 to 80
SESATE.-Mr. Stuart reported adversely on
the bill amending the act of March Sd 1854,
granting bounty lands to certain soldiers, &c.
Mr. Hammond contended that Lecompton
embodied the will of the people Of Kansas for
a convention was an asScmblage of the people
in their highest capacity.
Mr.. Hammond said he understood the Senator
from III. declared he opposed Lecompton only
on one point, namely, because he was not salts.
Mr.. Douglas replied that was not exactly his
ities but he would waive these if he could be
assured the Constitution embodied the will of
people. Mr. Hammond understood Douglas
all other irregularities could be cur
ed by Congress, and that was some ground of
difference between them; but the question is,
how can the will of the people of Kansas be
Escertained? He thought Douglas in error. He
at great length, and closed by saying
that if the South be obliged to surrender the
Government after 60 years, they would surren-
derit with a country abundant in prosperity,
strength, and the wonder and ad-
mratiOn of the world. Without concluding,
adjourned till Monday.