, 1860-04-10


Appropriation bill was lost. Yeas. "a; nays,
The House Homestead bill was then taken
up by &c against @. Adjourned.
HorsE.-Mr. ThaYer introduced bill consti-
tutipg Dacotah land district, and providing
for tue admission to the House Of delegate
President, in conjunction with California, to run
and make the boundary between the Territories
Of the United States and California.
Mr. Morse offered resolution, which. after
amendment was adopted, calling for a infor.
nation concerning the slave trade, with instruc'
tions to naval officers, and the opinion Of the
President whether further legislation is ncccs-
sary.
The House proceeded to the consideration Of
the report Of the Covodc Investigating Com
mittee, asking for the arrest Of Augustus Schell,
when NE. Winslow made minority report,
maintaining that there is no authority to inquire
into tho cpriyate contributions of any pcrsons,
unless it be first determined that the purposes
we're corrupt.
Mr.. Covode questioned the right Of Mr. Wins
low TO bring in minority report,
Mr.. Wins'ow maintained that be did so as
question Of privilege.
Mr.. Covode wished to postpone the considera-
ton Of the subject IN order to allow Mr. I1ick-
man Ia report on the Presidents protest.
Mr. Hickman raised point Of order, that Mr..
Winslow's course was irregular under the par
liauentary law.
The Speaker decided Mr. Coyode was entitled
to the floor and an appeal by Mr. Winslow was
tabltd, l25 ngainst 80.
Mr:,Coyode said lie wanted the list in Mr.,
Scbefl's possession because it contained the
names of Government officers, and not because
it was signed by private individuals.
Mr. Hickman Intellectually sought to present
his report.
Alter a call Of the roll, during which there
was much cousF91on, the report was recon-
mitted, on motion Of Mr. Stevens, 105 against 50.
Mr. Hickman, from the Committee on Judi
ciary, inade report On the Presidents pro-
test, refuting the positions Of the latter. They
say, an.ong other things, '' They caunot refrain
an exp1esslon of their deep regret that an Off
Ger who prides himself upon the fact thur the
the most honorable, responsible, and digni!icd
Office in the world, and who declares he feels
proudly conscious there is no public act of his
life which will not bear the strictest scrutiny,
and that l,c dedes all investigation,
should forget, among the surroundings Of
place and power md hattery, that he is
the servant Of that same people, aud that lie
should shrink back in anger and terror from q
simple inquiry into his stewardship. This is the
first time under the Republic thut a Chief Mag
istsate has left recorded admission that he has
been made obl!vious Of the origin and e,nitem-
eral character Of his position BY tue veualities
Of his epjos osment- To distinguish such conduct
by appreciation would be to sanction the kingty
prerogative, and proclaim that rightful rule
came by the grace Of God, and cot from the
! confidence ol man. The nation, always charitn-
bic in the Interpretation Of acts aud motives, is
not prepared To overlook sucl a delinquency"
The Committee take the ground that the
President under The Constitution possesses
neither privilege nor an Immunity beyond g
public citizen, and is less favored in this re-
spect than Senators aud Representatives in
Congress. Unfortunately" they SAY, for the
attempted defense Of that officer, there is no
charge made Of any grade Of o1ense calling tor
trial of any kind. 1t is Il mere inquiry that is
proposed. Mr.. Coyodc's resolutions do not
can he no formal trial under them. SO numer-
Gus are the proofs that the wise aud great men
OF our ca:lier history entertained opinions Of
ident ascr,bes to them, Tint it is difficult to re.
nlst disposition to attribute insincerity to the
President to accomplish the purposes Of his pro-
test. The world is but great battle field for
power, md if universal history teaches lesson,
it is this: That power is always stealing from
the many to the few; that executive heads of
nations absorb peculiar rights, and that a1 res
olution on the part Of the people is not 10
establish thrones, but to regain that which has
been wrunE frnm them By the thrones. The cit
liens Of the United STATES have reason to fear
thst from which every other nation has suffered.
TIE Committee entertaining the views therein
e1pressc1, recommend the following resolution:
A<solrtd, That the House dissents from the
doctrines in the Special Message Of the Prcsi.
dent Of the United States Of Marc1, astL, 1860;
that the extent Of power contemplated in the
adoption Of the resolution of inquiry of March
5tb, 1850, is necessary to the proper discharge
Of the constitutional duties devolved upon Con-
gress; that Judicial determination, the opinions
n oftA F7ri frTy1
tlon its exercise; md that to abandon it would
leave the Executive department Of the Govern
mcnt without supervision or responsibility, and
would be likely to lead to concentration of
power IN The hands Of the President dangerous
to the rights Of free people!'
Dir, Houston said that Mr.. Taylor
a1d himself were the minority Of the judiciary
Committee, but for want Of time they had not
been able 10 yet together to agree upon Joint
report. Each Of them. however, had prepared
a separate report. both agrs eing on general
principles and sustaining tue Presidents special
a message Mr. Houston,s views were read:
" The trainers of the Constitution sought to
contlnc each department within proper limits,
10 that one might not encroach upon the other
and thus disturb tue equilibrium therefore the
House OF Representatives, should conine its
action to the limitations and requirements Of
tue Constitution. 1t nas alike due to justice
and the character Of our government ut home
and abroad that it should not be perverted for
the oppression Of individuals, or mere party
advantage, by investigation into vague and
slandcrous imputations founded on street rumor
and newspaper articles. There is possibility
that these things may already hare done much
to lessen the confidence Of the country in the
Legislative US we'll as the other departments Of
the government, while Congress should not
make assaults on Individuals in public and
private life. The powers and duties Of each
branch OF the government are plainly set forth
in the Constitution. The departments are indc-
pendent the one of another, except when by the
President may be impeaehcd. The House is
the sotc power Of impeachment aud the Senate
the power TO try it. There is no other mode by
which tue House can intlict punishment except
By Impeachment lie cuuld be impenched for
abuses under the Constitution, but could not
be punished for disordeEly conduct, az could
member Of the House. This body has repeat
edly decided tlat censutc or di*aprrobstion is
. punishment To arrnigu high officer on
vague and indefinite cta1rges, is revolving out
rage, nud will not be countenunced even by
vindlctive partisans. If the resolutions do not
look to Impeachment, what was their object.
II thev contained specific cbnrges instead Of
vain destinations, inquiry would be proper,
aud no objections would hare been iuterposed.
If, ns has been charged, money was used for
corrupt purposes in any state, the State itself
must redress The wrong. 1t was not in the
power. Of the House to do so. nor could It dele
gaie its authority to any other body. There
could in this investigation be intended nothing
but j discrcattable party scheme to accomplish
party purposes. The position taken by the
President is right against the assault on the
great principle established by tue administra-
tiun OF JUSTICE"
Mr. TAYLOR, as one Of the minority Committee,
will read h,s views tomorrow.
Mr. Hickman snbnlticd the motion, that the
reports be printed and further consideration be