New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-03-13
Thirty-sI.th oongress-Flrst session,

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WASHINGTON March 6, ls6o.-Senate.- Mr.. CLAY,
from the Committee on Commerce, to which was
referred the bill declaring the consent of Congress
to any act which may be passed by the Legislature
of the State of Alabama authorizing the municipal
authorities of the city of Mobile to impose and col
lect duty on the tunnage of vessels entering the
port of Mobile, reported it back with an amend
ment and gave notice that he weuld call it up
| early next week, when he would give the reasons
why no should urge the passage of the bill.
On motion by Mr.. Wilson,
Resolred, That the Committee on Military Affairs
be instructed to inquire into the expediency of re-
pealing So much of the act entitled "An act to es
tablish the Home Department and to provide for
the Treasury Department an Assistant Secretary
and Commissioner of the Customs" approved
March Sd, 1919, transfers from the Secretary of
the War Department to the Secretary of the Inte-
ror the supervisory and appellate powers in rela-
ton TO the acts and duties of the Commissioner Of
Indian Affairs, and Of restoring by law the said
powers to the Secretary of War as they existed
prior to the passage of that act.
| Mr.. Mason said that the Sergeant-at-Arms had
arrested Thadeus Hyatt, under an order of the
Senate and moved that he be brought to the bar of
| the same.
The Sergeant alarms appeared with his pris-
oner, who came in on the arm of Mr.. Army. 4
| MFR. Mason then submitted the following resoln-
| ton: 49, a- ~
Resoloed, That Thadeus Hyatt, of the city Of
New York, now in custody Of the Sergeant-at-
Arms, on an attachment for contempt, in refusing
obedience to the summons requiring him to appear
and testify before q committee of the Senate, be
now arraigned at the bar Of the Senate, and that
| the President of the Senate PROFOUND to him the
following interrogatories:
| LIST. What excuse have you for not appearing
before the select committee of the Senate in pur-
suance OF the summons served on yon on the oath
| day Of January, 1860.
ID. Are you now ready to appear before the
committee and answer such proper questions as
shall be put to yon by said committee.
And that the said Thaddpng HYATT be renuired
to answer said questions in writing and under
oath.
| Mr.. Hale moved to strike out the word 4 ex-
cuse" in the first interrogatory, and insert "rea-
son. intimating that the word excuse implied
crime.
| Mr.. Mason would not debate the question but
the word excuse had been used in all like cases.
| Mr.. Hale asked the yeas and nays on his amend
| ment. He would not take up the time of the SEN
ate in discussing the subject it might be that the
witness was justified in his course, as he did not
believe the Senate had authority to take citizen
from State and punish him for contumacy. he
held that the interrogatory might with more justice
be put to the Senate, hat excuse have yon for
such an aot2H :
Mr.. Salisbury presumed the Senator from New
| Hampshire was familiar with proceedings of courts
of law, where the words used were always, g What
| excuse have your
Mr.. Hale limited that the great mistake made by
| the Senator from Delaware was in supposing that
| the Senate was court.
| The question was taken on Mr. Hae's amend
! ment, and it was decided in the negative.
Mr. Crittenden thought the better term Of putting
the interrogatory would be, s.Why did you not
| appear?f and moved it as an amendment.
Mr.. Mason referred to the very large majority by
| which the amendment of the Senator from New
Hampshire had been rejected, and hoped no change
1 would be made
The question was put on the amendment of Mr..
| Crittenden and it was rejected.
Mr.. Hale asked the yeas and nays on the adop-
| ton of the resolution, and it was agreed to.
| Mr.. King said that Mr.. Hyatt was constituent
of his, and had instructed him to ask for delay of
| two days.
Mr.. Mason observed that he had prepared re-
solution which would give the witness all of We'd
| nesday and large portion of Thursday, when he
could put in his final answer.
| Mr.. Mason then submitted the following:
| Ordered, That Thadeus Hyatt be remanded to
| the custody Of the Sergeant-at-Arms and that he
| to make answer to the questions directed to be
propounded to him by the President of the Senate.
| Mr.. Hale moved to add the words:
| rand that the Sergeant.at.Arms allow him all
| reasonable opportunity to consult with COUNSEL"
| Which, after some remarks from Mr.. Mason, was
| withdrawn.
| Tho resolution was then introduced by Mr..
Mason SO to extend the time to Friday next at
o'clock, and in that shape was adopted.
| The Senate then proceeded to tine consideration
of the resolution submitted by Mr.. Brown the 18th
| January, touching the rights of property in the
Territories of the United States, and the oblga-
| tions of Congress to see that those rights are
| legally protected in them, when
| Mr. Brown rose and addressed the Senate at
great length in support Of the resolutions, and was
| followed by Mr.. Fitch, after which the further
consideration of the subject was postponed till to-.
| morrow.
| MFR. Gwin then moved to take up the bill making
| appropriations for the support of the Military
4 Academy, when protracted discussion ensued,
which lasted until q late hour, when message
from the President was read, to show the necessity
that exists for prompt action on the bill, and the
proposed amendment OF Mr.. Wigfall to raise .
1 regiment of mounted volunteers for the defense OF
/ the frontiers of Texas. "a
4 TThe President enclosed communication from
the Secretary of War, covering large correspond
| ence, with q letter Of Governor Houston, urging
prompt action on the part of the Government. The
Secretary of War says in his letter to the Presl.
1 dent that nothing can exceed the cOntrariety of
opinion on the subject of affairs on that frontier
that this call is the first that has been made the
| Government for assistance in these disturbances;
| that upon the undeniable proof Of the gross out
RACES committed upon our soil, he had not hesitat
j ed to order concentration in that quarter of oil
the force which the exgencies Of the service would
| admit
The bill was then taken up, and will come up to
| morrow as unfinished business.
And the Senate adjourned.
A Ho,,se-on motion by Mr.. Love, of Georgia, tn
| Committee on Public Lands was instructed to con
1 slider the expedency of reporting bill ceding tn
claims of the United States to certain lands in Flor
ida transferred to that State from the State q
Georgia by the settlement Of the boundary line be
| tween those States. 8
Mr.. ]. Gochrane reported from the Committee 0
Commerce adverse to the bills for the erection {
marine hospital at Memphis, Tennessee, and
custom.house, etc., at Apalaehcola, Florida, whic
were laid on the table.
Mr.. Cox, from the Committee on Reyolutonar
Claims, reported q bill fer the relief of the heirs
John Paulding, David Williams, Isaac Van Wer
and Sergeant John Ghampe; which was eommi
ted.
The bill to amend tho passenger laws, for tn
better nrutectinn of female messengers. etc., re