Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-04-10

Proceedings Of Yesterday Aftern.eu

upon Mr.. Davis's Territorial resolutions n.
spoke particularly In reference to the svster, ~
slave labor a. contracted with free labor Ne
adduced several authorities to prove that tbe
emancipation OF the slaves In the British West
India Islands had proved most disastrous tn th.t
government. The system Of labor in the Sontbern
states was cause of the predoninance Of the
IN n,'ea States commercially; and In view Of this
TACT the Exeter Hall politicians of England we,e
endeavoring to break it down. and at the came
time fostering the coolie system as a substitute Of
their own. VI
Mr. Clingman obtained the floor and the .ub-
Ject was postponed. ~
The Homestead bill was then taken up. whore.
upon the Senate adjourned.
HoUsE.-Mr Morse asked leave to introduce
resolution calling on the President to communi.
ca'e 70 the House certain information respect to
the African slave trade, the correspondence with
foreign Governments, the instructions IN r,v.,
officers and American consuls, the numbe, of
seizures made by American vessels-ofw,, tho
NUMBER OF slavers condemned by tine courts, when
ana by whom fitted out, whether, in his on;nion
any further legislation is requisite for effsctnsjjv
exiinguishing the trade, the cost of mai ning
the African squadron and captured Africans. &c
Mr.: Keitt objected to the resolution. bnt nit;:
nlately withdrew the objection and the resoluto on
was adopted.
On motion Of Mr. Grow, Wednesday and Tbu,..
gay, May I'd and Sd, were set apart for territorial
Mr.: Winslow, Of N. c., rose to a Question NJ
privilege and called for the reading of the rennrts
Oh the majority and minority Of the special inves-
ugatlng committee, of which Mr. Covode is chair
man, i'll the case Of Mr.. Augustus Schell coliecto,
OF the port Of New York, who is charged bv the
majority OF the committee with contempt In re-
uSng 10 produce the list Of subscribers to the
MI Hickman desired to submit a report from
Iue Conmlttee on the Judiciary on the special
message OF the President in relation to the nves
ugaton OF certain charges against him with a
view to having the report read ordered 70 he
printed, and assigned to future day for consid.
MIR. Winslow declined to Weld 70, that NM.
pose. f
The reports having been read
nj. Covooe, OF Pa, said he would move to
postpone tue subject for one week, as he under.
stoou tEe report OF the Committee on the Judiciary
on the Presidents message would cover the whole
ground presented by the minority report in this
case.
After considerable discussion on questions of
order, appeals from the decision of the Chair and
various dilatory motions
MIR. Covode withdrew his motion; when
=, On motion OF Mr. Stevens, of Pa, the report in
the case OF Schell was recOmmitted
Mr.. Hickman, from the Committee on the In
dlclary then nade report on the Presidents re.
cent protest against the action of the House in
connection with the Covcde invest eating COM
mlttee. They at some length refute the positions
taken by the President, who. they assert under
the constitution, possesses neither privilege nor
Immunity beyond the humblest citizen, and is
less Favored In this respect than Senators and
Representatives in Congress 81 Unfortunately
they say, for the attempted defence of that oil.
ce there isno charge made of any grade of offence
calling for trial Of any kind. 1t is mere inquiry
that is proposed Mr.. Covode's resolutions do
not contemplate judgment, and therefore there
can be no formal trial under them SO numerous
are the proofs that the wise and great men of
our earlier history entertained foreb0dnys of tn.
very opposite character to those which the Presi-
dent ascri hes to them that it is difficult to resist
disposition to attribute insincerity to the prssi
ACCOMPLISH no mn Of J.
The committee, in conclusion, present the fol-
lowing resolutions:
RsSolred, That the House dissents from the doc
trnes Of the special message of the President of
the United States, of March %. $780, that the ex.
tent OF power contem plated in the adoption of the
resolutions OF inquiry, Of March 5, 1860 is neces-
sary TO the proper discharge of the constitutional
duties devolved upon Congress- that judicial de-
examinations, the opinions Of former Presidents
ana uniform usage sanction it's exercise; and that
to abandon it would leave the Executive Depart
ment OF the Government without supervision or
responsibility, and would be likely to lead to a
concentra WI Of power in the hands of the Presi-
dent, dang erous to the rights Of free people.
Clerks desk
Mr.. Houston said Mr.. Taylor and himself were
the minority of the coRmittee. For want of time
upon joint report. Each Of them however had
prepared separate report; both agreeing OH gen.
eral principles, and sustaining the special message
OF the President of the United States
Mr.. HOustons report sets out by spea king of the
intentions OF the trainers of the Constitution
which were to contine the several departments of
the Government to their appropriate spheres, so
that one might not encrOach upon another and
thus endanger the equilibrium which it was
necessary to preserve. The House of Representa-
| tves should confne its action to the Limitations
and requirements Of the Constitution 1t is ali Ike
due to justice and the character of our Govern
| ment, at home and abroad that it should not be
used for oppression or mere party advantage, by
investigating vague and scandalous imputations
md t,1,
There is a possibility that these things NAV have
already done much to lessen the confidence of the
country in the Legislative as well the other de.
partnents of the Government. Congress should
| maintain its own dignity, but not indulge in
assaults on individuals in public and private life
The powers and duties of the coordinate branc hes
OF the Government are plainly set forth in the
Constitution The departments are independent
except when. by the Constitutions they are other
wise. The President, for the offences therein
specified, may be impeached. The House has
has the power to try it There is no other mode
bywhich the House can ntiict punishment except
by impeachment. The House can impeach the
President for abuses under the Constitution, but
the House has no power to punish him for die
orderly conduct, as in the case of d member
of the House. The House has repeatedly decided
that censure or disapprobation is punishment
TO arraign the President on wayne and indefinite
charges is a revolving outrage. not to be counte-
nanced even by vindictive partisans. If the res
olutions under which the special committee WI
dppolntu 40 HOI lCOk 10 I'm pedChmeIIt what was
their object If, as the resolutions charge, money
was improperly expended in State, the evil was
to be redressed by State laws. The investi cation
besides, involves the Government in great ex
Pense, when no action is contem plated by the
House If the committee shall undertake to bring
before the House and expose the Legitimate trans,
actions of private citizens, then 1t transcends lis
authority. The Eouse has no such sole authority
and cannot delegate it to committee If this is
the proper construction then 1t remains to be
asked will the House permit the resolutions to re-
main unrescnded! But was not the present in
vestigation intended for discreditable party
schemes, to accomplish and secure party advan-
tages! The ground taken by the President right
and the protest made by him is against the assault
on the Constitution Of the United States, and on
those great principles which Were hitherto es-
tabliShed for the administrationof Justice.
Mr.. Taylor commenced reading an argument
In support of the protest, but gave way for mo-
ton that the House ad journ.
Nj. Hickman moved that all the reports be
printed, and the further consideration of the
subject be postponed till tomorrow week afte,
the morning hour.
No question was taken this motion
Mr.. Taylor, according to the understanding
Will read his report tomorrow morning.
The House then adjourned
Proceedings Of To-Day.