New-York daily tribune., 1861-07-18
HOUSE oE REPRESENTATIVES,.

The SPEAKER announced the following AZ the Spe-
cial Committee on the subject Of General Bankrupt
Law: Messrs. Roscoe Cookling, Hutchins, Thomas
lMAss.l, Noell and Mcknight.
Heniy May appeared. and was qualified by taking
the Oath TO support the Constitution.
Mr.. HOLMAN Dem, Ind.) introduced resolution,
authorizing he Select Committee heretofore appointed
TO examr into the War Department contracts, 70
tend heir inquiries to all facts and circumstances of
contracts and agreements made, prior TO the Dal
port OF the Committee, by with any Department OF
the Government; that The Committee have leave to
t during the recess at such times and places they
may deem necessary; that they be empowered 10 en-
ploy a steuogmpher, clerk that the Sergeaht-at'
Arms attend the meetings ia person or by deputy 20
serve all subpenas that the Speaker be authorized and
directed 10 sue subpeDas at the request OF the Com
mirtee as in cases during the session OF Congress.
Mr. KELLOGG lRep., ILL opposed the extension Of
inquiry which could be authorized opy on the assump.
ton that something Is wrong He was not diPoed to
establish an advisory aud controlling Board in effect
TO have eight instead Of oIe head Of department.
There was nothing put the Secretary Of War under
the ban Of the Committee. De was opposed TO q
rowing Committee without limitations IS 70 line and
place. lie believed the Secretary Of War was faith
ully and honestly attending TO the duties Of hs high
ana responsible Office.
ROSCOE CONKLING rep, N " briefly op.
posed tie resolution because ,Pnncipay, be was OPP
posed TO q TO- wing Commission.
Mr. HOLMAN eaid the resolution was reported by
direction Of the Committee, and had his concurrence
He argued that it implied no censure Of the Admins
trHtioR.
Mr.. DAWES Rep., Nasal, ss a member of the
Committee said that although be had not consented
IL, yet lie would shield whitewasb any
improper transaciOn, whether Of this or any other
Administration The country is fnH Of rumon Of fraud
and corruption, and hence an investigation was re-
CURED As the House have expressed desire 10 ad-
lourn Friday, the time necessarily be extended
beyoDd the present session. Was not better that the
facts should bs inquired into where the contracts have
been made than brig the Witnesses at Rteat expense
and tT0able, 10 WashngtOnl Ii the House beey We the
Commttee will not abuse their powers the resolution
ought 10 be passed.
Mr. EDWARDS Rep., N. H) was opposed
to the resslution, and TO the objects for
which the Committee was raised. II would
be better to wait until sO1e authentic or re
sp0nsible charges made before sach inauiries
shobld be made. They should not act on vague aug
geslOns that possibly something may be wrong espe-
cialy at time when IL was necessary exert all The
energies Of the Government to pnt down ebehou.
Besides there was tho outstanding Committee On Ex-
penditufes 10 the Department 10 whom the inquiry
properly belonged tis
Ar. KELLOGG rep, Ill., again usged his oh.
lection 70 the heresouton ON the ground tha. there were
no specific charges.
Mr. VAN WYCK Rep, N. " said there were
specific charges Of fraud by contractors. He under
sbeod, without dOutt, that within Two short months
theae bas been system Of plnnder which for andacty
and Rickednets rad never been surpassed. In this
conDecioo, 10 eferd 10 the excess OF pay fOF beef,
hate &c. lie charged no department with eompleity,
but he did say there were men who had
,eken advantage Of the necetsity 0f the times,
a, ID plandered the treasury. Take the case Of the
ste Nnboat Cstine, not worth than i've or Ten
thou aGd dollars; was chartered for tea thousand
doIIay, month and Gity thousand dollars was TO b.
Maid for her Ia the eyent d her destruction. de wonid
ieIl ,he IA Nse and the copntTy that the War Depart
.Sao, desirs, an examination into this aGair.
Mr. KELL,0 ,0aG Rep, ILL., moved 10 lay the resoln-
lien On the table,