Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1860-06-11

Justices court-Hhesher there Is one particle
Of testimony given by Baker which. by the
remoiest inference, indicates that the Presi-
dent ever had any knowledge of any eerrup-
ton whatever
sir. Pryor. do not charge that The
gentleman from Kentucky is changing the
issue. insist that he stick to the issue be-
tween US.
Mr. Burnett. i say that Baker makes no
charge of any character against the Presi-
dent, by aHy conversation which emanatetl
from him. The evidence upon which this
charge is based. Is testimony which the merest
ztyro in the Iaw-the merest Justice of the
peace in the eountry-would not have adj
mitIed upon the trial of any cause in his
cour'. What is that evidence? Why, Baker
says be heard Mr.. Wendell say that the ar
gus was to receive ten and three-quarters per
cent: and that certain other papers were to
receive certain sum. This is hearsay testi-
mony, which would DO excluded from any
court, where the best evidence only can be
received. Further, | say that Wendell, the
witness upon whom the gentleman relies TO
prove iniamy in this case, and the parties
who rely upon his testimony. are estopped
from throwing odium upon the President. for
the reason that when you first introduce a
witness, and he does not swear to suit you,
you cannot turn round and impeach his testi-
nony: and Wendell has expressly exoner-
ated the President over his own signature.
What does Mr.. Baker say about The Presi-
dent? lie says. in his testimony:
Il understood in in the fall OF 1858, do
not know from whom or how, that the DRiy
ARGUS was to receive ten and three fourths
per centum from and after the LIST of August
1858, and / inquired of the President whether
he had given any directions for portion OF
Rice's money, or what was due to Rice as
printer of postoffice blanks, to be paid to the
Dahl Arous. He said that he had given no
directions; but report said the net profits
from the printing of these blanks amounted
to about twenty thousand dollars per annnm;
and if such was the case, he supposed that
Mr.. Rice could afford to pay the argus out
of his own profits or out of this sum "a ',----i
Showing that Ii a mere Fuuaor that the
President knew anything about what Baker
stated he said TO him. All i ask of gentle
men is that, in the consideration of this testi-
mony, you shall apply to it the ordinary
rules applicable to testimony which are APP
piled in all courts of justice.
Now, sir, have this much to say, in con-
clusion: the gentleman from Virginia says
spoke with feelings of Indignation. in re-
Spouse to bis charge upon the President. Sir,
l have taken issue with him. No man who
knows the gentleman from Virginia WILL for
a moment. doubt that he would run a muck
with any body he chooses; but in running his
muck the gentleman should see to it that he
does not ch arge the responsibility for abuses
which exist upon that department of the
Government which has no power to correct
them.
l say it in all the spirit of kindness. that I
hopeand trust that hereafter our own friends
however they may he disposed to attack cor
ruptions and fraud wherever they are found,
will be better in formed in relation TO the
facts of the case before they undertake to
make charges against US which we will have
to meet on every stump. Charges from a
man SO distinguished % himself will be known
throughout the country. say to the gentle
man, that "a my canvass last summer, in my
own district, had more trouble to meet his
charges against the Administration than all
the other charges made. He was quoted
of him then; and do not want to have any
more of him. fLaughter.l
Mr.. Florence. Mr.. Speaker -
Mr.. Pryor. l hope the gentleman from
will allow me an opportunity
of making my acknowledgment to my friend
from Kentucky for the piece of advice he
gives TO me, poor legislative tyre. / trust
| shall profit By it. But beg to inform him,
in advance, that | am incorrigibie to this
extent, that when | detect the smell of cor
ruption and extravaganza l will endeavOr to
expose it without one moments thought as
to what it affects or how high the functions
aries it may impeach. He does Inc too much
honor to say that /, making an erroneous
could yet. on my poor authority,
give so much trouble TO gentlemen canvass
ing over the country, that the member from
Kentucky especially was very nigh losing his
seat. ! beg to tell the gentleman that it was
not the authority of him who brought it for
ward, but the invincible power of truth in
the statement, truth which l defy him now
to gainsay. Let him rise now and say he
knows it not to lie true
Mr.. Smith, of Virginia. l have to say, and
,an prove that my colleagues statement was
Mr. Pryor. VIII my colleague undertake
low to prove that my statement was erro-
leous?
Mr.. Smith, of Virginia. Whenever it be-
comes necessary will do SO.
MIR. Pryor l hope the House will, by
unanimous consent, give my colleague the
privilege now. [Cries of ''Ges!" "9esHl l
know that the contest is an unequal one, but
boldly invite him to it.
Now, sir, come back to the allegation Of
The gentleman from Kentucky, which is, that
I have charged that the Executive was aware
that redundant and unnecessary sum was
appropriated for particular service, and did
not inform Congress of it with a view to re-
lrenchment and reform, but dispensed the
surplus among the stipendiary editors of
prostitute presses. Gentlemen say L have
not proved the proposition. L think | have
adduced at least priH1a fdeie evidence, suff-
cient to throw them on the negation. Does
any one Of them deny the charge
Mr. Burnett. Ny friend from Virginia
asks me the question whether will make an
issue with him on the matters involved in his
which | stated was used against
me in my canvass last summer. tell him
that did make an issue with him then. L
believed he was in error.
Mr. Pryor. Will the gentleman make an
issue with me about this specific post Office
blanks appropriation That is the issue.
Mr.. Burnett. l have made an issue with
the gentleman. He has presented his side,
and l have presented mine.
Mr.. Pryor. One word, if the gentleman
will allow me. / make this proposition to
the gentleman, and -
Mr. Burnett. The gentleman must remem-
ber that 1 am holding the floor by the per-
mission of the gentleman from New York,
Mr.. Haskin.) Ii looks as though was now
holding it ad hbttaRn. IGreat Laughter.l
Mr.. Pryor. / trust the House will excuse
me for trespassing so frequently upon their
attention; but they find me contending
against unequal odds in numbers and abil-
ty. | have but a single remurk 10 make,
and it is in the form of Il proposition to the
gentleman from Kentucky. Here is mat
Ter in issue about which we dispute. Now
let the House give us committee, and ap,
point me chairman, and him next in order,
and will engage to prove my charge in the
House, and to the country.
Mr. Burnett. / intend to be no party to
my movement which has for its object the
performance OF the duties which my friend
rom Virginia so eloquently denounced this
Mr. Pryor. Allow me word. Mr.. Speak
n, l do not wish to be misrepreseLted; and
I'm sure my friend from kentucky would not
me.
Mr. Burnett. l do not intend to do it.
Mr.. Pryor. l am, therefore, doing him, as
yell as myself. service i'll correcting him