The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1860-06-22

lnb Iouse prOCoeued TO the CONSIDER
alton Of the special order, being the res
olutions reported back from the Commit
tee on Expenditures in the Navy Depart
ment.
Mr.. Bocock, in opposing the resolu-
tons, said the first question was wheth-
crit wns right and proper for the House
to form itself into judicial tribunal and
pass judgment and inflict punishment on
the highest executive officer of the Gov
ernment together with one of the mem
bors Of his Cabinet, on exparte testimo-
my taken by committee OF a past Com
gress. Ifthey could 90 back TO former
Congress, why could they notgo back in-
to all the preceding ones, even to the
time of John Adamsl This was the first
proposition that had ever been made. The
resolutions proposed nothing more nor
less than the condemnation aud inficton
of punishment upon the President of the
United States aud the Secretary of the
Navy. He would not be at all surprised
to see the Republicans follow up the steps
they have already taken by the issuance
of warrant to arrest them, that they
might be brought TO the bar ofthis House
TO be censured. The innicton of cen
sure deliberately aud calmly performed
is one Of the most grieyous acts,
The President is independent Of the
Congress, and the Congress independent
OF the President. Each has then a le-
gitimate sphere. He did not speak OF
resolutions of inquiry looking to legisla.
ton, or impeachment, but contested the
right of the House to resolve itself into q
judicial tribunal to inaict punishment on
officers ofthe Executive Department, BY
what authority was this proposed to be
II had been suggested that the next
thing would be 20 censure the Supreme
Court o! the United States for the Dred
Scott decision. He would not be surpris-
ed to see this done az any time, as Il
would be pertinent to the progrSmme,--
The censure Of the Secretary Of the Ma.
Wy contained in the resolutions was not
he urged, sustained by the testimony, MOI
had the President even interfered with
the award Of contracts.
Mr.. Sherman spoke at some length In
advocacy of the resolutions, referring tC
the testimony in their support, and urg.
ing that the House has power 70 past
them. He concluded by moving the pre-
yious question, which was seconded, thui
cutting of Mr.. Sickles, who had risen "a
reply 10 Mr.. Sherman. IN H
Mr.. Holton having the foor TO close
the debate, yielded Il short time 10 Mr.
Nilsson, who argued that the CommitteS
on Expenditures in the Navy had no right
10 resume the case where a deiunot Be.
lect Committee had left of. II was ,
most dangerous precedent certainly
mischievous one-for one Congress 4
revise the evidence reported TO previous
one, when this House cannot have con
troll over the Committee by which th'
evidence was reported. Il was not sough
70 condemn or eensure Executive officer
who have no opportunity TO defend them
selves.
Mr.. Holton argued that the House ha'
a right 10 pass these resolutions, by thI
vote first taken this was determined b!
an overwhelming majority. The Secre
tary Of the Navy has sent a letter to tn
Committee speaking of its gross and man
ifest usurpation, aud OF a clear and pal
pable violation Of the Constitution Il
connection with this investigation. N
protests Of the Secretary should dete
him from the conscientious performance
Of his duty. This was the first time cha
the head Of a public Department shren
from an investigation, and the exampl
is set by a Secretary who objects 10th
expression of opinion by the House o
his official conduct. .-
Mr.. Holton then referred to the test
tony to show that the resolutions wor
abundantly sustained, and ought 50 b
} passed. 'oH
Mr.. Boeoek moved 70 table the resolt
/ ton. Reghtive--65 TO 1870. n
, The frat resolution, eondemnutory I
both the President and Secretary Of III