Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-18
THIRTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS,


"a.
Mr. Hale rose 70 question Of privilege BE
desired 10 send 70 the Clerks desk, 70 be read,
newspaper paragraph charging with bribery .
Senator from New Englani III securing the re
lease. for the sum Of 5000. Of two prisoners
from the Old Capitol From information receiv-
Ell from Senator be was led to believe that be
HALE was the person alluded to He wished to
make a statement of the facts on which the charge
was founded Mr. Hale then at some length ex-
planned that he had acted counsel for these
persons and that previous 10 doing so he had
asked the advice OF Hon Reverdy johnson and
Others. If be could consistently with his position
United States Senator act as the legal ad-
wiser OF The above mentioned parties. he was
assured he could. aud that there existed no rea-
son Why ne should not. Hon. Reverdy Johnson
stated to him that be was himself engaged In the
same kind of cases almost daily. Under these
circumstances be had acted Tor the prisoners.
He Hale then stated the facts OF the case, and
concluded by saying that il there bribery or
even ndelicacy, il was not done Inadvertently,
but advisedly and with cautious deberation
Mr. Johnson remarked that be recollected dis
tincily that Hale called on him. as stated. and re-
ported the conversation materially rs stated.
In answer TO his (Hale's) inquiry whether a
Senator was precluded from acting as counsel for
a person charged before a court martial with
fraud, he lJohnson) said he saw no legal impedi-
ments in the way. or even indelicacy. What he
(Hae) had done doubt done in conse
quence Of this opinion.
Senators did not cease 10 be lawyers when
callei upon for professional services. He
no difficulty in complying unless the services in
volved the neglect OF public duties. He John
som had repeatedly acted upon this assumption
The only question that can arise isis there
any law prohibiting il? There wss a law pro
hibitiug Senators from prosecuting claims against
the Government before the Court OF Claims. he
believed that the same law expressly excepted
cases neuding before tho courts. IL WAS not the
intention of the laws TO prevent lawyer prac
tcing in his own profession. Ii a case OF fraud
in contracts is brought before a military court, a
LAWYER whose services are desired ha. no right,
because he il member of Congress. to refuse
his services auv IN than ne would in capital
case in the civil courts.
Mr. Hale Submitted the following resolution,
viii was agreed to:
Resolped That the Committee on the Judi
ciary he instructed to inquire whether John p.
Hale. member OF ibis body. IN connection with
the case of one Hunt, charged with crime bv d-
rection OF the Var Department. has been guilty
of any conduct inconsistent with his duty rs a
Senator. and that they have power to send for
persons and papers.
The following resolution submitted by Mr..
Wade was agreed to:
Resolved That the Secretary of the Navy be
directed TO communicate 20 the Senlte oil official
reports. dispatches aud papers in ihe Navy De-
partment relating to actions ia which any of the
armed vessels have been engaged.
Mr. Lane of Kansas Introduced bill to grant
land 10 the citizens of Kansas to indemnify them
for losses.
On motion OF Mr. Sprague the bounty pay bill
was taken up and recommitted TO the Committee
oil Military Affairs.
a document from the Secretary of the Treas
ury. commune itng the report of Professor A ID
Bsebe tor the year ending November /, 1868,
and the report of Thomas Brown. Agent of the
Treasury Department in California.
The resolution of the House for an adjourn
ment being taken mp. Mr.. sherman moved to
amend il by striking out the words "this House
adjourn, and inserting "the two Houses OF Con-
gress" Carried
postpone the consideration OF the resolution until
Tuesday next. Yeas, 81; nays, IL.
The following message from the President,
was read:
! Herewith lay before you letter addressed to
myself by II committee OF gentlemen representing
the Freedmen Aid Society i'm Boston. New
York, PhladelYhia aud Cincinnati
! The subject 3f the letter as indicated above
! is one OF great magnitude and Importance. ana
one which these gentlemen of known ability and
! high character seem to have considered with care
Not having time TO form mature Judgment OF
my own rs to the plan which they suggest
| submit the whole subject To Congress, be
evinS that their attention thereto is almost i'm
peratyely demanded.
/ ABRAHAM LINcoLx
Mr. Foote moved that when the Senate All
ourn it be till Monday next. Lost.
Adjourned.