Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-06-15
The BOurse was dull; Rents 69f 55c.
Thfrty-Sixth COngress--First session,
Wefnesdalfs Proceedings.

WASHINGTON, June 13.-SENATE.-Mr. Sumner pre-
scented memorial for the discharge Of Thaddeui
Hyatt He moved that it be referred to the Selec
COMMITTEES on the Harper's Ferry affair.
Mr. Fitch objected, and said the Senator the Other
day presented petition from negroes. which was
referred TO the Committee without their knowledge
Mr.. Fessenden wanted to know if negroes had no
a right to petition Congress-
Mr.. Fitch said be had objections
Mr.. Fessenden thought they ought to be treated
in the ordinary mode and it would not infringe on
the dignity Of any committee to receive them.
Mr.. Fitch objected to their petihoning as citizens
when the Senate did not recognize them as such.
Mr.. Fessenden wished to dissent entirely from any
such idea.
Mr. Wilson said these we're very extraordinary
proceedings. His colleague had a right to present
a petition and ask a reference. He hoped the free
men of the country would take notice of this posi-
ton taken in the Senate. He would not say it was
insult, but il deserved the rebuke Of every gen
tieman.
At Mr.. Mason's suggestion, Mr.. Fitch withdrew
his objection and SAID he did not careOF the opinion
of the Senator from Massachusetts,, as he did not
class him in that category at all.
The petition was referred to the Select Commit
tee.
Mr. Hunter, from the Finance Committes report
ed Mr. MOrrills tariff bill and moved to postpone 1t
till the second Monday in December. The motion
lies over till tomorrow.
The Legislative and Executive Appropriation bill
was considered.
Mr. Hunter reported an amendment from the Com
mitlee Finance, extending the time OF the funded
debt of S20,000000 70 five years. stating that the
House sent an in amendment to the tariff bill to fund
this debt in two years, The committee had thought
it best to place it in this bill and extend the time
Mr. Bigler objected to the amendment on this bill.
He thought that the Senate should consider the House
bill on the tariff where the amendment properly be-
longs. He did not think the objection good that
there was not time to consider the tariff.
After debate a recess was taken.
HoUsE-The House proceeded to the considera-
ton Of the special order, being resolutions reported
back from the Committee on Expenditures in the
Navy Department.
Mr. Bocoek, in opposing the resolutions, said the
first question was, whether it was right and proper
for the House to form itself into judicial tribunal
and pass Judgment and inhict punishment on the
highest executive officer Of the government, together
with one of the members of his Cabinet on &c part
testimony taken by a committee of past Congress
If they could 60 back to a former Congress why
could they not 90 back into all preceding ones, even
to the time of John Adams. This was the first pro
position Of the kind that had ever been made. The
resolutions proposed nothing more nor less than con
demnation and infection Of punishment upon the
United States and the Secretary Of the Navy. de
would not be surprised at all to see the Republicans
follow up the step they have already taken by the
issuance of a warrant to arrest them, that they
might be brought the bar of this House to be cen
sured. The infictOn of censure deliberately and
calmly performed, is a most greviOus act.
The President is indendepent Congress, Congress
of the President; each has their legitimate sphere.
He did not speak of the resolutions of inquiry look
ing to legislation impeachment, but the contested
right of the House to resolve itself into Judicial
tribunal to inict punishment on the officers OF the
Executive Department. By what authority was this
proposed to be done? It had been suggested that the
next thing would be to censure the Supreme Court
of the United States for their bred Scott decision
IL bn rirnd IN sea- a
as it would be pertinent TO the programme. The
censure of the Secretary Of the Navy contained In
the resolutions not, he urged, sustained by tes-
tmony, nor had the President ever intertered with
the award Of contracts.
Mr. Sherman spoke at some length in advocacy
of the resolutions referring to the testimony IN their
support; arguing that the House has the power to
pass them. He concluded by moving the previous
question, which was seconded, thus cutting off Mr..
Sicl1les who had risen to reply to so much OF Mr..
SLermaus remarks as referred TO the brooklyn
Navy Yard.
Mr.. Hatton having the floor, to close the debate,
Welded It to Mr.. Wilson, who argued that the Com
mittee on Expenditures in the Navy Department,
had not the right to resume the case when detunct
select committee had left off. 1t most danger
Gus precedent, certainly mischievous one for one
Congress to revise evidence reported to a previous
one when this House caLnOt have control over tins
committee by which evidence was reported. 1t was
now sought to condemn or censUre executive officers
who have opportunity 10 QeIeuu themselves.
Mr.. HattOn argued that the House passed these
resolutions by the vote Just taken. This was deter
mined by an overwhelming majority. The Secreta
nv of the NAVY had sent letter to the committee,
speaking of it gross and manifest usurpauon OF
rights, and clear and palpable violation OF the
constitution. In connection with this investigation
no protest of the Secretary should deter him from
the conscientious performance OF his duty. ms
was the first time the head Of public department
shrunk from investigation, and the example IS
set of Secretary who objects to the expression OF
an opiniop by the House Of his official conduct. Mr..
Hatton then referred to the testimony to show that
the resolutions were abundanty sustained, and
ought to be passed.
tived by 65 against l30 The first resolution, com
mandatory to both the Presidens and the Secretary
of the Navy was adopted without count OF the
number voting on either side.
The second resolution: That the contract made
by the Secretary of the Navy in September, 1888
with Mr. Swift, for the delivery Of hye-oak timber
was in violation Of law, and in a manner unusual,
improper and injurious to the service, was adopted
Ayes ll9, nays so.
The third resolution was read That the distribu-
ton by the Secretary Of the Navy Of the patronage
of the navy yard among members Of Congress is de
structive Of discipline corruptng in tendency, and
highly injurious to the public service.
Mr.. Reagan moved an amendment to the report
viz That the members Of the House. in receiving
and acting on the proposition Of Mr.. Defrees by
which he promised to give one-haf Of the profit Of
the public printing in the event Of his nomination
and election as Public Printer, was CorruptIDg
and demoralizing in tendency and bargaining off
the patronage and Offices Of the House. and deserved
rebuke and condemnation.
Objected to by the Republican side.
Mr.. Stanton wanted to amend the resolution.
Mr.. Houston objected.
The third resolution, as above adopted l23
against 81.
Fourth resolution: That the President and Secre-
tsry Of the Navy, by receiving and considering the
party relation of party bidders Of contracts,
and awarding the contracts pending elections,
have set an example dangerous to public safety
and deserving the reproaehOf the House, was adopt
ed 16 AGAINST 81