Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-06-15
TuIRrY.s1xru coNcnEss--Flr.. Session.
w ASH
SENATE

Mr. Fessesden thought they ought 10 De uealeu III
the ordinary mode and that it did not infringe on the
dignity of any committee to receive them
Mr. Fitch objected to their petitionng as citizens,
when the Senate did not recognize them as such.
Mr. Fessesden wished to dissent entirely from any such
idea.
Mr. Wilson said it seemed very extraordinary pro-
ceding His colleague had right to present petition
and ask its reference. lie hoped the freemen OF the
country would take notice of this position taken in the
Senate He would say that was an insult but that
it deserved the rebuke of every gentleman.
On Mr. Mason's suggestion, Mr. Fitch withdrew his OBJ
lection He said he did not for the opinion OF the
Senator from Massachusetts, he did not class him in
that category all The petition was then referred to
select committee
Mr.. Hunter from the Finance Committee, reported the
Morrill, tariff BILL and moved TO lay 1t over until the Sc
cond Monday of December
The motion lies over until tomorrow
Mr. Powell, from the Judiciary committee, reported a
bill to increase the salaries Of certain Judges OF the
ted States.
Mr.. Bayard. from the same committee, reported the
House bill to prevent polygamy in Utah. with amend
mentS.
An immense number of adverse reports were made OF
minor importance.
The bill for the relief of Arson Dart Superintendent Of
Indian Affairs in Oregon, was next considered.
Mr. Davis opposed the bill, saving the man had no
honesty-no integrity. He loathed every honest man
and desired to ch from the Treasury every dollar he
could get The bill passed.
Mr. Sidell called up the resolution for holding night
sessions
Mr. Hammond said the legislation of night sessions
blurred the records of the country and he thought such
sessions were disgrace to the Senate
The resolution was passed.
The Legislative and Executive Appropriation Bill was
considered
Mr. Hunter moved to amend the bill by adding sec
ton authorizing the President to borrow twenty-one
millions of dollars to be applied to the payment OF APP
propua'ions made by law and the treasury notes now
outstanding and TO other purpose in addition to the
money received into the treasury from other sources
the stock issued under this law TO be Icdeemable IN hive
years and bear interest not exceeding six per cent per
anuum.
Mr. n explained that this was a part of the PROPOSE
ton snt here 10y the House in the tariff BILL except that
the time for redemption made five years instead OF
TWO. 1t essential TO pass this, whether the tari
bill was passed or not account OF the treasury notes
which would mature this year; and be thought better
to put it on this bin than to strike out the tariff pro-
position and send the loan bill back 70 the House
Mr. Biger opposed this amendment. The House had
originated this proposition in connection with the tari
bill aud he thought they ought TO 70 together. we
should no longer increase the public DEBT without Prov
ding means 20 meet IT, and tue tariff bill demanded ui-
mediate consideration. Ii there not time enough to
discuss ttat question before the day fixed for adjourn
meut let the time be extended for not compelled
by constitutional direction to adjourn on given day,
as will be the case at the next session.
-
sender Simmons and others until four o'clock when the
Senate took u recess for two hours.
At & o'clock the Senate re-assembled.
Mr. Wilson defended the Republicans from the charge
OF extravaganza, saying that the requirements made by
the President and Departments exceed the appropriation
made by Congress. The House. controlled by the Re
publicars had reduced the estimates Of the Admnistra-
ton 81 500 600 while the Democratic Senators had add
cd over S6,OO0OOD TO these House bills When such
charges we're made he desired point to the proceed
iugs show the necessity OF an increase oil the tar 10
meet exgencieS.
Mr. Toombs read the civil appropriation BILL with the
amendments of the Senate finance committee, showing
that every Que made TO fulfill contracts and carry
out existing laws. The Republicans in the House. by
refusing 10 paw honest contractors had thus reduced the
approUratous One Hundred and fifty thousand dollars
towards finishing the Charleston custOm-house was put
in by the Senate 10 fulfill engagements made with honest
contractors in Maine and to pay for the granite The
Republican House appeared to be economical by robbng
honest contractors, aud carry on system Of protgacy
in sppropriatng millions of dollars for fraudulent
pensions. lie condemned the agricultural appropriation.
Mr. Bisler said he did not ike TO hear such imputa-
tons cast on the Departments on Senators who voted
for the He did no; like the way the Senator
spoke about it.
Mr. Toombs said he would give way for explanation,
but should not for the Senator to protest against what
he had said. He had discaimed any imputaton on any
Senator.
Mr. Bgler said he did protest
Mr. ToOmbs replied that if he was not satisfied with
his remarks he could get satisfaction here outside the
chamber. He speaking Of government and made no
personal imputltiOns. lie continued TO show that the
Republicans were friends Of extravaganza. They were
deep in corruption all the Legislatures of the North
and God only knew what they would do if ever they get
power here.
Mr. Dooltte asked the Senator if he did not recolec
the Yazoo grant in Georgia. when the people burned the
records Of the States
Mr.. Toombs replied that some dishonest men got in
tI. in fba of I'm he
people hung of them aud the Others out of the
State They were not honest enOughin Wisconsin to do
that.
After further debate the amendment for funding for
FIVE years the S2OOO00OO loan thea agreed to
yeas %, nays l9.
81 100000 for paying the claims Of the Chocaw Indians
under treaty stipulation which after much debate
carried over by an adjournment.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The House proceeded to the consideration of the spe
ca order of the day being the resolution reported back
from the Committee the Expenditures of the Navy
Department which declare that the Secretary of the
Navy with the sanction Of the President has abused his
Discretionary power in the selection OF coal agent for
the purchase q e for the Government; that the con-
tract with Mr. swift for live oak timber in viola
ton Of Law that the distribution Of the patronage of
the Navy Yard among members of Congress is destruc
tive of discipline and Injurious TO the public service
etc, etc.
Mr. Bocock in opposing the resolution said the first
question was whether il was right aud proper for the
House form itself into Judicial tribunal and pass
Judgment and infct punishment on the highest Execu
tive officer together with Of the members OF the Cab
met on ex-parte testimony taken by committee OF
past Congress. If they could 90 back TO former Con-
gress why could they not 60 back TO all the preceding
ones-cven 70 the time Of Adams This was the first
proposition OF the kind made The resolutions pro-
posed nothing less than the condemnation and
iuliction Of punishment upon them lie would not be
surprised 10 see them followed up by warrant TO bring
the President and Secretary OF the Navy before the bar
of the House 10 be cusured. The infection of censure
deliberately and calmly performed Is OF the most Sc
rous acts The President is Independent Of Congress
and Congress ia Independent Of tue President each in
their legitimate sphere. He did speak of the
uion Of inquiry as looking legislation to impesch
Uent but the contested tight Of the House TO resolve
itself into Judicial tribunal pass judgment and niict
punishment on officers of the Executive Departments
b what authority this proposed TO be done. 1t
a4 been suggested that the thing would be TO
SIRE the Supreme Court for the bred Scott decision
lie would not be surprised to this at any time
il would DO pertinent to theprogamme Toe censure of
Of the Secretary Of the Navy contained in the resolutions
not he argued sustained by the testimony, had
President nterered with the award of contracts
as charged.
Mr.. Sherman replied 1t 4 singular proceeding
that the high executive officers Of the government should
deny the Jurisdiction of the aud plead technical OBJ
econs. The gentleman from Virginia complained that
this testimony taken during the last Congress This
unusual when il is shown that every public bill
depends the evidence estimates prepared the year
before its passage Objections might as well be argued
testimony taken before Judge appointed TO take
his seat on the bench The testimony on the subject
der consideration taken in the legal and proper way
Every witress the Secretary of the Navy desired
amined by the select committee. He requested TO
present either in person by Witnesses and furnish
ed with copies OF all dispositions which affected him
IL