Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-12-19
THE VERY LATEST NEWS
BY TELEGRAPH.
REPORTED EXPRESSLY for the STATESMAN
Last Nights Dispatches.
XxxvIIIfh CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
WASHINGTON, Dec. II.

FIRST SESSION.
nt5 WASHINGTON, Dec. II.
SENATE-Mr. Hale rose to q privileged
question. He desired to send to the Clerks
desk to be read n newspaper paragraph,
charging with bribery Senator from New
England in securing the release for the
sum of $4,000 of two prisoners from Old
Capitol. From information received from
a Senator he was led to believe that he
Hale) was the person alluded to. He wished
to make a statement of facts on which the
charge was founded. Mr.. Hale then at
some length explained that he had call as
counsel for these persons, and that previous
to doing so he had asked the advice of Hon.
Reverdy johnson and others If he could
consistently with his position as United
States Senator act as the legal adviser of the
above mentioned parties. lie was assured
he could. and that there existed no reason
why he should not. Hon. Reverdy johnson
stated to him that he was himself engaged
in such cases almost daily. Under these
circumstances he had acted for the priso-
ners. He (EIale) then stated the facts of the
case. and concluded by saying that if there
was bribery or even indelcacy, it was not
done inadvertently, but advisedly and with
cautious deliberation.
MI. JOfllsOll TcllldIhcl JlldJ nc IcCOlltCJcu
distinctly that Mr.. Hale called on him as
stated and reported the conversation ma
| terally as stated in answer to his (Hale's)
| inquiry whether Senator was precluded
| from acting as counsel for person charged
| before cOurt-martial with fraud. lie
| (Johnson) said he saw no legal impeachment
| i'm the way, or even indelicacy. What he
| (Hale) had done was no doubt done in con-
| sequence of this opinion. Senators do not
cease to be lawyers if called upon for pro-
| fessional services. lie saw no difficulty in
| complying unless the service involved the
| neglect of public duties. He (Johnson) had
repeatedly acted himselfupon this assump-
| tion. .
The only question that can arise is: Is
| there law prohibiting it? There was law
| prohibiting Senators from prosecuting
| claims against the Government before a
| court of claims. He believed that same
| law expressly excepted cases pending be-
| fore the courts. One has right to go be-
| fore any other court in the United States
| 1t was not the intention of the law to pre-
vent lawyer from practicing in his pro-
fession. If a case of fraud in contracts il
brought before military court, q lawyer
whose services are desired has no right, be-
cause he is member of Congress, to refuse
his services any more than he would in q
capital case in the civil courts.
! Mr.. Hale submitted the following resolu-
tion, which was agreed to; al4&
Resolved, That the committee on Judici-
ary be instructed to inquire whether j. p
Hale, a member of this body, in connection
| with the case of one Hunt, charged will
crime by direction of the War Department
has been guilty of any conduct inconsisten
with his duty as Senator, and that they
have power to send for persons and papers
l. The following resolution, submitted by
Mr.. Wade, was agreed to: rt- Ff
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Nav.
be directed to communicate to the Senat
all official reports and dispatches to action
in which any of the armed vessels hay
been engaged. ..,t. ...... ID
% WASHINGTON, Dec. IS.
| SENATE.-Senator Grimes asked to be eX
cused from further service on the commit
i tee on Naval Affairs. After a brief CONVEX
satiOn against granting the request, tn
Chairman of the Naval committee, sayinI
the services of the gentleman were yer,
important at this time, as there was neces
sity for reform in the Naval Department
further consideration upon the subject wa
postponed till Monday. s.-
Mr.. Howe presented a memorial from cit
liens of Wisconsin asking that some actiol
be taken with resolution to the amend
p |
/! slavery in the States and Territories.
Mr.. Wilson, from the committee on Mill
tary Affairs, reported back with amend
ments the bounty law; also, the bill amend
ing the enrolling act, with amendments
one of them repeating the three hundre,
dollars commutation. ... ?.
Mr.. Dixon offered an amendment exempt
ing clergymen from draft.
n The amendments were ordered to b
printed. 1ar r.t. 5-
Mr.. Summers resolution for o new rul
requiring Senators to take the oath of al
legiance prescribed by the act of Congress
before entering upon their duties, was take
up.
Mr.. Salisbury said his colleague, Mr.. Bay
ard, was the only Senator to be affected b.
the order, and he had the right to ask tina
the question involved should be referred t
the committee on the Judiciary for thei
action and opinion. ~. go. + -rao ,
Il Mr.. Salisbury then made motion to tina
effect. r -- .
, Mr.. Trumbull opposed the motion.
Messrs. Johnston and Collamer could nc
see that any evil could result from the refer
ence proposed. .a
e. Mr.. Bayard said he was unwilling, with
out decision of the Senate, to take oatl
He wanted their decision on the subjec
A | He had views against the constitutionalit
of the oath, but he could take the oath Q
!, , readily as any member of this body .tf
Messrs. McDougall and Powell advocate
reference to a committee. sgr. p s-sl
Mr.. Ten Eyck could see no good {
result from reference, as the Judiciary CON
fmittee are of the same opinion now, 0
when they reported the act.
The Senate refused by eleven majority {
refer the resolution to the Judiciary CON
Inittee. o t
Without concluding the subject the Ser
ate went into executive session. 80
d Adjourned. sJ1e