Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1860-06-15
W.sHISGIos. June Is.

had sent In an amendment to the tariff bill to
fund this debt in two years The Committee
thought ii best to place it in this bill and ex-
tend 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 belongs. He did not
think the objection good that there was not
time to consider the tariff
After a debate recess was taken
At 6 O'Clock the Senate reiissembled.
Mr.. Wilson defended the Republicans from
the charge of extravaganza, saying that the
requirements made by the President and De-
partments exceed the appropriations made by
Congress The House was controlled by the
Republicans and they had reduced the esti-
mates of the Administration 81. 500. OO0.whlle
a Democratic Senate, under the control oil
Democratic Senators, had added over So
o60, 600 to three of the House bills. When
sach charges are made he desired to point 10
the record. He then proceeded to show th'
necessity for an increase of tariff for revenue
to meet the debts of the Government.
House-The House proceeded to the con-
sideration of the special order. being resclu
tions reported back from the Committee on
Expenditures in the Navy Department, which
declare that the Secretary of the Navy has
with the sanction of the President, abused
his discretionary power in the selection of
coal agent, and for the purchase of fuel for
the governments; that contract with Swift
for live OAK timber was in violation of law;
that the distribution of the patronage of tn,
navy yard among members of Congress is de-
structive in principle and Injurious to the
public service; that the President and Sec
rotary of the Navy, in considering the party
relations of bidders and the bad effects O;
awarding contracts pending elections, ali de
serving of the repfoDation of this House; thai
the appointment of Daniel III. Marlin, a mem
Der of the Board of Engineers to report OIL
proposals for the construction of machinery.
he being personally interested therein, is
hereby censured by this House.
Mr.. BOcock, in opposing the resolutions,
said the first question was whether il was
right and proper for-the House 70 form itself
into Judicial tribunal and pass judgment
and infict punishment on the highest execu-
tive officer in the Government, together with
one of the members of bis Cabinet on cx
parte testimony taken by committee of
past Congress. II they could go back to
former Congress why could they not go back
into all preceding ones, even to the lime of
John Adams. This was the first proposition
of the kind that had ever been made. The
resolutions proposed nothing more nor less
than condemnation and infiicton of punish
ment upon the President of the United States
aud the Secretary of the Navy. He 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 to the bar of this
House TO be censured. The infiction of
censure, deliberately and calmly performed.
is a most grievous act The President is
independent of Congress, and Congress OF
the President. Each has their legitimate
sphere. He did not speak of the resolution
OF inquiry looking to legislation or impeach-
ment, but the contested right of the House to
resolve itself into a judicial tribunal to in
1ict punishment On the officers of the Execu-
tive department.. By what authority was
this proposed to be done? 1t had been sug-
gested that the next thing would be to cen
sure the Supreme Court of the United States
for their bred Scott decision. He would not
be surprised to see this done at any time, as
it would be pertinent to the programme. The
cenSure OF the Secretary of the Navy, con-
tanned in the resolutions, were not, he urged,
sustained by testimony, nor had the Presi
dent ever interfered with the award of con-
tracts.
MIR. Sherman spoke at some length in adj
vocacy of the resolutions, referring to the ties
timoay in their support, AID arguing that the
House has the power 10 pass them. He cou-
cluded by moving the previous question.
which was seconded, thus cutting off Mr..
Sickles, who had risen to reply to so much
of Mr.. Sberman's remarks as referred to the
Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Mr.. Hatton having the floor, to close tho
debate, yielded it to Mr.. Millson, who argued
that the committee on expenditure in the n.
w Department had not the right 10 resum
the case when a defunct committee had L.
of. 1t was most dangerous precedent. Gel
tainly mischevious one for Congress to r
vive evidence reported TO a previous on
when this House cannot have control ov,
this committee by which evidence was r.
ported. 1t was now sought to condemn
censure executive officers who have no o,
pOrtunity to defend shenselyes.
Mr. Hatton argued that the House passe
these resolutions by the vote just taken th
was determined by an overwhelming majp
Try. The Secretary of the Navy had sent
letter TO the committee, speaking of it as
gross and manifest usurpation of rights ans
a clear and Palpable violation of the eonstii
tuition. In connection with this investigation.
no protest of the Secretary should deter him
from the conscientious discharge of his duty
This was the first time that the head of pub
lie department shrank from an investigation
and the example is set Of a secretary who OBJ
jects TO the expression of an opinion by the
House on his official conduct. Mr.. Hatton
then referred to the testimony to show that
the resolutions were abundantly sustained
and ought to be passed.
Mr. Bocock moved TO table the resolution.
against 20.
The first resolution, cOHdemnatory Of both |
the President and Secretary of the Navy.
was adopted without count of the number |
voting on either side. The second resolu- |
ton, that the contract made by the Score
tary in September, 1858. with Mr. Smith for |
the delivery of live oak timber was in viola |
ton of law, and in a manner unusual and i'm |
proper, and injurious 10 the service. was
ll9, nays 60. The third res
olutiOn was read, that the distribution by thr
Secretary of the Navy of The patronage O.
the Navy Yard among members OF Congress /
is destructive of discipline, corrupting in
and highly injurious to the public
service.
Mr. Reagan moved ar Amendments 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-half of the profits OF the printing in the |
event of his nomination and election as Pub |
lie Printer, was corrupting and demoraiizing |
in tendency and bargaining off the patron |
age officers of the House, and deserved re- j
bake aud Objected to by |
the Republican side.
Mr.. Stanton wanted to amend the resolu- /
ion.
Mr. Houston objected. -e
The third resolution, as above, was adopt |
ed-123 against 81
Fourth resolutiOn-the President and Sec |
rotary of the Navy, by receiving and consid-
ering the party relation of bidders of con-
tracts, and awarding the contracts pending |
elections, have set at example dangerous TO |
public safety and deserving the reproach OF |
the House, was adopted-l16 against 81.
A recess was taken from 4 to o'clock.
CLIPPINGS FROM VANITY Fam The Long |
md Short of the Presidential Cdncass.-Lincoln |