New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-02-06
ASSEMBLY.

ASSEMBLY.
Resolutions expressive Of the regret Of the House
at the death Of Senator Willard were introduced,
aud several speeches were made, eulogizng the lie
and character of the deceased Senator.
The resolutions were then unanimously adopted.
Twelpe o ciOck-Ihe hour for the special order
having arrived the resolutions to investigate the
charges OF corruption against Speaker Calcot,
Mr.. ANDRUS obtained the floor and moved TO
refer the charges 10 the Committee on Privileges and
Elections. and ON that motion moved the "previous
question"
Sir. T. C. FIELDS. on a question Of order,
claimed that he had the floor when the question war
last before the House, aud only gave way for mo-
ton to postpone it. He was still entitled to the
hoor.
Mr.. FIELDS characterized the attempt to
smother the investigation by referring the charges
OF corruption to Il Committee Nmed by Speak.
err Calcot, himself, after the charges had
been made, as dangerous and indelicaie. lie re-
view the character OF the Committee to which
il war proposed refer the charges Of corruption.
IL was q Committee composed OF three Republicans
Nle.srs. 7. r. syen., Church, and Fisher, three Of
the most active members In the bargain by which the
organization Of this House was eiected-and two
Democrats, Messrs. y. Smith and Moulton. The
latter while strictly honorable and upright, were
yet gentlemen whose mild disposi,ons and kind
hearts did not fit them for the duties OF this lnyesti-
CATION. Ar. Fields believed that the Committee bad
yestigaiion after 1t whs known that the Republican
caucus had received to refer the resolution 10 that
Committee.
Mr.. ". DEWEY moved II substitute requiring
specific charges i'll writing against the Speaker VEN
lied by the signature Of u member of the House, be-
tore COMMITTEE to investigate the charges was
granted and declaring that the investigation must
be confined to the specific charges
SIR. ANDREW SMITH moved m amendment,
insructing the Committee to investigate the caarac
ter OF the members Of the Legislature and the pro-
ceedings Of the lobby of 1860 sud l-6l.
warm pcuonl debate here sprung up between
Mr.. FIELDS and MIR. SMITH, ia which Mr.
Fields severely assaulted the character and political
integrity Of MIR. Smith declaring that the Commit
Tee on C.ie. and Villages Of 1850. OF which Mr.
Smith was n member. was legislative pawn-shop.
in which every bill was labeled with n price, aud
The amount Of that price collected before the bil.
could pass through the Committee.
Nj DEAN fHd tbai the amendments which had
lo.n t,ropofed wero evidently Intended 10 smother
he investigation into tho charges Il corruption made
against the speaker. He Dean was willing to
vote for any investigation but he wns not willing 10
embarfass the present grave subject by frivolous
amendments.
10 smother the investigation, and admitted that toe
motion 10 refer the subject 20 the committee Privi
leyes and RI cton- which had been hastily made,
Was improper. lie then withdrew hs motion to -
refer.
r., u
rerson charged with corruption To pack bis OWE
iary had been Withdrawn. He argued that tie
,hargen had been specifically made, aud much more
40 tban had been done before on this floor, anu
the Members making these charges would be rub
ect to expulsion II they did not substanilate them
the friends OF the Speaker on the floor shOnid be
the very to court the demand for tins InyestgH
non Hey should not seek TO eyade IL.
The "prevlous qucstOn' WAS here moved and
ordered g..
The debate was continued with considerable spirt
til 3 O'Clock, when the previous question was or
dered
Mr. Deweys substitute was adopted, receiving
that when "A specihc charge be made and verified in
writing, and signed by member Of the House,
giving the facts and circumstances, If the House
think All investigation demanded, Committee o.
five shall be appointed 10 investigate such specified
charges ,r,,,,,,
When The names were called. Messrs MURPHY
and FIELDS scveIally assailed the Republicans,
charging them with crushing ali investigation.
Mr.. MURPHY raid the object Of the substitute
was TO screen the Speaker charges being made open
IL on The floor. Ii hey honestly desired investi-
ga-ion thev would have voted tor the original
luron f. " e degrading sight TO zee the Repub-
lcans speaking ana shlrAlDg the duty imp sed on
them b, the state, sitting pale aud trembling in
,ber seats frIl hteuened TO meet the cOsruucucet
Of the co.Ibpt bargain, by which tue organization OF
the House and the election OF United States SEN
,tot Wac elected. lie charged that they bad place.
a Iiyuu lie to preside over the House. and had he'd
hlm into the potion, and he stood to-day shaking
and trembling lest The investigation should take
place which woJld place corruption not only Oh tue
Speaker but the ioteheaIs Oi othcf mehoefs oi ther
party. - HI.
language.
Mr.. MURPHY was not surprised AT tho inierup-
ton If a gentleman who had been leader oil the
rnr,y who placed Mr.. CkcOt III the CHAIR. W hat
Did the resolutions nsk They asked an inve'tign-
ion INTO tho charges of low degrading corruption
made against tie Speaker OF the House by genie
men ia nigh standing III point % intelligence "hu IN
Hn.nce on this floor. Win these charges against
him Mr. CsllicOt had been forced into the Char by
u pany who now seek TO crlFh lh'csugS1o" anu
CO yer up Ia. guilt oil the creature they used.
Mr. T. &. FIELDS, IN the course OF ms speech,
cgid although the object OF the Republicans Wa To
crurh iyestgatIon, they should not succeed, lor he
should force them To investigate the charges;
Ttos. he had already made and proved
rkould be reiterated III writing; and he would dare
them 90 reiusc Investigation.
MIR. CHURCH Geulcd that there was any deslfe
to eyede investigation. The object war TO secure
specific charge, 30 that the COMMITTEE "ouia NOV
formed to inquire into the acts of a mans NE Tor
wears past. Let any charge be made which n mem,
Der i. willing 10 back by bis signature ana All WIZ
favor inyesti liOn. la reply 10 the charge th"' me
Sneaker doeired to evade investigation, he ucne' 10
truth. lie cOurted investigation
Mr.. fIELDS-Why does he not cay 80 on tho
floor. and not 10 Of and leave his iricnds to re
soIt 10 lIcks TO crush II
Dir. CHURCn-NO tnck has been resorted To-.
When the name OF Mr.. butcher was called, DO liz,
auied ii lie co4ld vote, having paired oil Oh political
questions. L.. teoo
made a otical question a.,
Sir. HULETr-If the gentleman from Sienoen
cousiders This political question he sPaahs iol nl
sell. not Tor me. Ii by political lodges ana 4riii
tho op osition soeks to crush lnyesuga1on ,. 'u'"
dn 40. but Tor one, he had tar different motives
AIR SuERWOOD--TLe gentleman nilsunder-
.,..a. u... liz saia .nis bad beea made poi1icai