Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1860-06-28
Censure of the II resident and Secreta-
ry of the Navy.
SPEECH OF Hon. KOBT. EA ALTON.

On the 18th of February last the following
resolutions were offered in the House OF Rel
resentatives
ResoLred, That the Secretary of the Navy
has. with the sanction of the President, abus
ed his discretionary power in the selection o
coal agent, and In the purchase OF luel Iol
the Government
ResoLued That the contract made by the
Secretary of the Navy, under date OF Sep
TENDER %, 1858, with William {. n Swift
for the delivery of live oak timber, was made
in violation of law, and in manner unusual
improper, and injurious to the public ser
vice.
ResoIred That the distribution, by the Sec
rotary of the Navy, of the patronage IN the
navy-yards among members of Congress, was
destructive of discipline. corrupting in its
influences, and highly injurious to the public
service.
Resided, That the President and Secretary
of the Navy, hy receiving and considering
the party relations of bidders for contracts
with the United States, and the effect Ot
awarding contracts, upon pending elections
have set an example dangerous TO the pub
lie safety, and deserving the reproof OF this
House.
RtsOlued. That the appointment, by the
Secretary of the Navy, of Daniel b. Martin,
chief engineer, as a member of a board OF
engineers to report upon proposals for con-
structing machinery for the United State,
the said Martin. at the time, being pecuniar:-
ly Interested in some OF said proposals, Is
hereby censured by this House.
These resolutions were referred 10 the
Committee on Expenditures in the Navy De-
pariment, of which Hon. ROBT. HATTON, OF
this State, is Chairman, who reported them
back on the 1Ith inst, with recommended
ton that they be adopted. They were made
the special order for the 18Th inst, and hav-
ing been taken up, Mr.. BOCCc2 moved to lay
them on the table. This motion was reject
ed-syes So; noes l2O.
Keus-AIl Democrats. .....65
Nays Republicans
Southern Opposition. II
DemOcrats-
The two democrats who voted in the mega
tive were DAVIS. of Ia, and MORRIS, of Ill.
Each resolution was then taken up and 20.
ted upon separately.
The first resolution was adopted without a
count on either side.
The second resolution was adOpted-yeas
1911; nays 60.
HeGs.-Republicans.-
Southern Opposition. III
Democrats OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
Ndys-All Democrats go
Messrs. DAVIS, of Ia. and NORRIS. of Ill
again voted with the opponents of the ad'
ministration.
I23; nays 81.
Yeus.-Republicans. ................99
Southern Opposition. II
Democrats -.------.-..-.... >
Nays.-All Democrats.
The Democrats voting in the affirmative
were Messrs. DAVIS, of Ia; NORRIS, of Ill:
PRYOR, of Virginia.
The fourth resolution was adopted-yeas
log; nays 81.
Feus.-Republicans.
Southern Opposition ----1I
DEMOCRATS.
NGys.-Democrats-- -oS
Republicans.
The democrats voting in the affirmative
were Messrs. DAVIS, of Ia, and NORRIS, Of
Ill. The republicans voting in the negative
were Messrs. ADAMS, of Mass, aud CLARK, OF
New York.
The fifth resolution was adoptcd-yeas go;
nays 80.
Ysas.--Repnblicans...
Southern Opposition ..-.--.l1
Democrats. L
hdys.-All Democrats. 39
The democrat voting in the affirmative was
Mr.. PRYOR of Virginia. Messrs. DAVIS. OF
Ia. ard MORRIS. OF ILL.,. were not present.
Just before the question was taken on the
resolutions. Hon. RoBr. HArToN addressed
the House in support of them His speech
which We append, will give the reader a pro
per understanding OF The subject. 1t is in
or opinion Conclusive
MR. HArTON. The purpose, Mr.. Speaker
of most of what we have heard FROM ;he Ad
ministratien benches upon the subjec: before
US, has been to show that this House, what
ever may have been the conduct of the Pres
ident or his Secretary Of the Navy, can give
no expression OF diSapprooaiion OF either
without being guilty OF an infringement upon
executive prer0gatiye. The honorable Sec
Rotary OF the Navy himself mOdesliy says a:
much, in his communication addressed TO me
two days since, which has been printed BY
order of the House, and handed 10 member
this morning.
Nov, cir, viii have no argument Will
the Secretary. nor with those who are o
counsel Tor him, upon this nicely drawn plea
in abatement to the jurisdiction of this House
am not 10 be diverted from the Legitimate
sutjrct OF discussion by this '.iub 10 Tbs
whaie.H
That we possess the constitutional power
to adopt these resolutions have NO doubt
The Committee OF this House upon the Judi
ciAry, at the present session, have considei ec
this question, and have 30 decided, aud The
House, by an overwhelming majority