Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-04-07
rnrRrv,sIxTu cONGnEss.-Flr.t Session

After UumpoItdnt morning business,
Mr. Green called up the Joint resolution which he in-
troduced Yesterday, concerning William Medill First
Comptroller OF the Treasury, and hoped the question
would be- taken its reference The reference OF joint
resolution bad been refused before, whatever 1t
might contain right wrong.
Mr. Salisbury moved to refer IL 10 the committee on
postofce and posiroads lie believed it to be unde
served reflection upon mertorOus officer who had only
done his duty and done that which the Attorney General
OF the United States said he ought TO do and he Was
doubtful whether even the reference OF the resolution
might be understood to imply censure. He would,
however, make that motion.
Mr. Yuee hoped it would be referred TO the Judiciary
committee the su ect OF the resolution Was the con
structon Of a law
Mr. salisbury stated that the whole matter arose out
contract by the Postmaster General with certain per
sons to carry the mails aud alleged breach of that
contract
Mr. Green said that it shoudno 90 to the post-oice
committee because it did not fall within ther province.
IL was in reference TO the execution OF law, but II did
not pertain to the Judiciary committee for that commit
zee had uniformly refused decide abstract questions.
Where legislation required they would act; but they
lid desire consider abstract questions This
matter involved nobody until report made and the
Senate pronounced us Judgment The mere reference
of the resolution amounted To nothing at all Let the
truth come ou let the facts be developed, aud let the
country what Is involved in this question-hen the
senate decide and the public will Judge But when
he introduced "a resolution unanimous consent being
given and upon motion TO refer IT, controversy
sprung up aud the merits of the thing proposed to be
referred were be- discussed before the facts de-
veopei he objected 20 it, and thought it very uu-
kind tire. nent. lie thought it coul do 10 harm to
anybody 10 let the facts come out aud let the truth be
known.
Mr. Salisbury replied that his objection arose IRON
want of courtesy but from the fact that the very preseu
taton of his resolution calculated to uure Mr. Meli
who he believed had faithfully discharged his duty. The
proposition Was novel Certain persons have
quuiul Is he
rCsaOn Of their contract II Is referred To officer Of
government To ascer ain If they have sustained any
damages He reports adversely aud bases his report
the written opinions OF the Attorney General of the Uni
ted States Who called on by the Postmaster General
10 give his opinion Because he has done this he is
rligned before the Senate 10y resolution rejecting upon
hts official character aud expressing the opinion that be
ought TO be removed from Office. If it had not been
rom his respect for the Senator from Missouri he should
have moved indefinite posponement OF the resolution.
Mr. Green replied that the Senator did not state the
case accurately Originally, it claim growing out
of Wha these parties alege 10 be breach OF contract
Congress passed Lw stating that contract having
been made and abrOgdted the FIRST comptroller should
assess the damages therefore the making Of the
and its abrogaton are facts affirmed by Congress Whe
ther damages had accrued not he did not know,
whether the parties entitled one dollar
thousand dollars But the comptroller says there
no contract and abrogation. As the Senator from
Delaware had chosen TO bring up this question i'm
pror erlv at this time he must set him right.
Mr. Pugh said that Gov. Medil had left this city for
Ohio in III health and he hoped the resolution would lie
over until he could make some inquiries about it, He
could assure the Senator that Gov Medll would meet
any investigation before any committee but it hard
ly fair to press this matter in his absence.
Mr. Green affirmed that Gov. NJ. had not gone when
the resolution was offered lie knew what he said aud
no man could contradict it. Before he left copy of
this resolution was him. and he read it. No per-
son was taken by surprise This had been straight for
ward proceeding from the first moment 20 the present
time The Senator from Delaware had said that the At
torney General bos,eed Mr. NJ. up he would state that
the opinions of the Attorney General directly
trarv. This was not question OF law, but question
directly affecting the dignity aud power Of Congress-
The Senate and House OF Representatives and the Exec
utive declare fact and lay down rule for adudicating
a case aud he deuied the right of any officer to set at
defiance Congress and the Executive He wanted the law
executed He knew nothing about the damages but he
was acting in yuliCaton OF principle. Neither did he
know any of the parties making the claim All he ask
ed was that the resolution be referred and the matter in
vestgated.
Mr. Bayard wished to make a very short statement,
that would not take ten minutes and As the hour for la
king up the special order bal arrived he moved post
pone the special order for minutes The motion
agreed TO.
Mr. stated that Mr.. Medil had been advised by his
phv can to abstain from all business account of his
health and he had made all of his arrangements leave
the city when the notice was given that this resolution
would be introduced Assuming the facts to be the
Senator from Missouri had stated that any reason
Whv the Senate should itself into accusaory bo-
dy and condemn public officer their inquiry and
request his removal from olhce? There charge
of fraud whatever; it is merely charge that he has mis-
oa.true law but he has the opinion of the Attorney
General on his side. II pubc officers do wrong, im
peaehment is the proper to be resored TO- but
this resolution should be rejected on its face-without
| reference
Mr. Green desired to reply and therefore moved that
the special order be postponed for ten minutes more
Mr. Benjamin hoped that would not be done, unless
more time was given for he wished to offer ali amend
ment and desired some time to prepare it
The question being taken, the motion was not agreed
10.
The resolutions and amendment proposed 10y Mr..
Salisbury were ordered to be printed.
| On motion Of Mr.. Sumner, a resolution was adopted
calling on the President for copies Of correspondence
not already communicated relative TO the claims of any
foreign government the military services OF natural
| lied American citizens.
Tbe Homestead bill resumed, and Mr.. Pugh made
| some remarks in favor of il.
Mr. WiglaI replied, calling it bill for the protection
OF crime and vsgabondism and in the Of bis
marks alluded the federal gofernment as miserable
onaborse concern here in Washington" He also argued
that poverty crime, and the man who was poor had