The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-04-05
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
PROCEEDINGS Oh THB THIRTY. sixth CONGRESS
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, April 4.-The CHAIR laid before
the Senate the correspondence between the Attor-
ney General and the Judges of Utah relative to
judicial proceedings in that Territory. Laid on
the table.-Mr. THOMPSON presented the reso-
lutions of the New Jersey Legislature in favor of
an increase of duty on imported goods, and in fa-
vor of the House Homestead biIl.--Mr. KING
introduced bill for the relief of the Pottawatamie
Indians. Referred.-A bill for the relief of Rob
ert Morris, late Postmaster of New York, was
paSsed.-Mr. GREEN called up the Joint resolu-
ton which he introduced yesterday, concerning
William Medill, lst Comptroller of the Treasury
and hoped the question would be taken on its re
ference. The reference of a joint resolution had
never been refused BEFORE whatever it might con-
tain, right or wrong.-Mr. SALISBURY moved
to refer 1T to the Committee on Post Office and
Post Roads. He believed it to be an undeserved
reflection upon meritorious officer, who had only
done his duty-done that which the Attorney Gen
eral OF the United States said he ought to do; and
he was doubtful whether even the reference of the
resolution might not be understood to imply cen.
sure. tie would, however make that moton.--Mr.
ULEE hoped it would be referred to the Judi
ciary Committee, the subject of the resolution
was the construction of a law. Mr.. SALISBURY
stated th at the whole matter arose out of con-
tract by the Postmaster General with certain per-
sons to carry the mails. and an alleged breach of
that contract.-Mr. GREEN said it should not
go to the Post Office Committee, because it did
not fall within their province. 1t was in reference
to the execution of law, but it did not pertain to
the Judiciary Committee, for that committee had
DS.
Where legislation was required, they , oud act:
but they did not desire to consider mere abstract
questions. This matter involved nobody until
report was made, and the Senate pronounced its
judgment The mere reference of the resolution
amounted to nothing at all. Let the truth come
out; let the facts be developed and let the country
see what is involved in this question. Then the
Senate decide, and the public will Judge; but
when he introduced 4 resolution, unanimous con-
sent being given, and, upon motion to refer it,
controversy sprung up on the merits of the thing
proposed to be referred were to be discussed before
the facts were developed, he objected to it. and
thought it was very unkind treatment. He thought
1t could do no harm to anybody to let the facts
come out, and let the truth be known.-Mr.
SALISBURY replied that his objection arose from
want of courtesy but from the fact that the
very presentation of this resolution was calculated
to injure Mr.. Medi who, he believed, had faith
fully discharged his duty. The proposition was a
novel one Certain persons have claim against this
government they aege for the abrogation oftheir
contract. 1t Is referred to officer of the govern
ment to ascertain if they have sustained any
damages. He reports adversely, and bases his re-
port on the written opinion of the Attornev-Gene-
raj of the United States, who was called on by the
Postmaster General to give his opinion. Because
he has done this he is arraigned before the Senate
by resolution rejecting upon his official charac-
ter and expressing the opinion that he ought to be
removed from his office. If it had not been for
his respect for the Senator from Missouri he should
have moved an indefinite postponement of the reso
lution.-Mr. GREEN replied that the Senator
did not state the case accurately. Originally it
was a claim growing out of what these parties al
lege to be breach of contract. Congress passed
law stating that contract having been made and
abrogated, the First Comptroller should assess the
damages therefore, the making of the contra ct and
its abrogation are facts affirmed by Congress-
Whether damages had accrued or not, he did not
know, or whether the parties entitled to
dollar thousand dollars. But the Comp
troller says there was no contract and no abrOga-
ton. As the Senator from Delaware had chosen
n hrI nm innnr r1r, or
he must set him right.-Mr. PUGH stated that
Governor Medi had left this city for Ohio, in ill
health; and, he hoped the resolution would lie over
until he could make some inquiries about it. He
could assurethe Senator that Governor Medill would
meet any investigation, before any committee but
it was hardly fair to press this matter in his absence
MIR. GREEN affirmed that Gov. Medil had not
gone when the resolution offered. He knew
what he said, and no man could contradict it. Be-
fore he left, copy of this resolution sent to
him and he read it. No person was taken by sur
prise This had been a straightforward proceed
ing, from the first moment to the present time.
The Senator from Delaware had said that the At
torney General bolstered Mr.. NJ. up; but he would
state that the opinions of two Attorneys General
were directly contrary. This not question
OF law, but question directly affecting the dignity
and power of Congress. The Senate and House of
Representatives. and the Executive declare fact,
and lay down rule for adjudicating case; and
he denied the right of any officer to set at defiance
Congress and the Executive. He wanted the law |
but he acting in vindication of principle. |
Neither did he know any of the parties making the |
claim. All he asked that the resolution be refer
red, and the matter investigated. ed.--Mr. BAYARD |
wished to make very short statement that would |
not take ten minutes, and as the hour for taking |
up the special order had arrived he moved to post
pone the special order for ten minutes. The motion
was agreed to. Mr. B. stated that Mr.. Medil had |
been advised by his physician to abstain from all
business, account of his health, and he had made
all his arrangements to leave the city when this |
notice was given that this resolution would be in |
troduced. Assuming the facts to be as the Senator
from Missouri had stated, that any reason why |
the Senate should turn itself into an accusatory |
body, and condemn public officer their own in
quiry, and request his removal from office? There
was no charge of fraud whatever; it is merely a |
charge that he has mscOnStrued a law. But he |
has the opinion of the Attorney-General his
side. If public officers do wrong, impeachment is |
the proper course to be resored to, but this resou
ton should be rejected its face without reference
MIR. GREEN desired to reply and therefore mo-
we'd that the special order be postponed for ten min
utes more.-Mr. BENJAMIN hoped that would |
not be done unless time given, for he wished
to offer an amendment and desired some time to |
prepare it. The question being taken, the motion |
was not agreed to. The resolutions and amend |
ment proposed by Mr.. Salisbury then order |
ed to be printed.--On motion by Mr.. SUMNER, |
a resolution was adopted calling on the President !
for copies of any correspondence not already COM
relative to the claims of any foreign |
government to the military services of naturalized
American citizens--The Homestead bill was re- |
sumed, and Mr.. Pugh made some remarks in favor |
of it. Mr.. Wigfall replied, calling it a bill for
the protection of crime and vagabondism, and in |
the course of his remarks alluded to the federal |
government as ''mserabe one-h horse concern |
here in Washington" lie also argued that power
by crime, and the man who poor had ne
cessarily sinned-there a screw loose in his |
head somewhere. Adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Mr.. WASHBURNE, of Illinois, gave notice of |
bill to erect Custom House and Post Office near |
STANTON, from the Military |
Committee, reported back the West Point Appr0-
priation bill, with recommendation, by large |
majority of the Committee, that the House nom
concur in the Senate amendment, providing for
calling into service mounted regiment of Texas
CURTIS, as member of the
Committee, said he would have voted in favor of |
the amendment if the President and Secretary of
War, in their communication in response to call
Of the House, had said they thought this additional
force necessary, but they both studously avoided
expression of opinion on the subject.--Mr. STAN
TON moved that the subject be made the special
order for Tuesday.-Mr. REAGAN said that early
action should be TAKEN in order that the people of
Texas may know whether they may have hope of
protection for their lives and property.--The
House, by seven majority, refused to make the bill
The special order for Tuesday next.-The House
the consideration of the bill to punish and
prevent the practice of poygamy in the territories
Of the United States, and other places, and disap