The national Republican., 1867-02-18
THE "HONOR AND PURITY OF
THE HOIISE."

THE HOUSE"
On Saturday Mr.. WENTWORTH, Of Illinois,
appeared, as the champion Of the House, in
the proceedings following"
Mr.. Wentworth submitted, as question Of
privilege, involving, as he said, the honor,
purity and independence Of the House, a long
preamble and resolution, reciting that il has
been for some time rumored, and has at last
been asserted in the public newspapers, that
certain members Of the House have been
holding private meetings, with a view to n cor
rupt bargain, pledging themselves to act ad-
versely to the report Of the Judiciary Com
mittee on the question Of impeachment, If
unfavorable to the President, and also to act
adversely to certain other measures pending
before the House to which they have been
hitherto favorable, provided the President do
certain things to which he has hitherto de-
clared himself hostile, and refrain from doing
certain other things to which he has hitherto
declared himself favorable; and instructing
the Judiciary Committee to inquire into the
fact whether such meetings have taken place
and such corrupt bargains have been made;
what persons have carried communications
from such members to the President, and
from the President to them; the nature Of the
communications, &C., and to report such res
olution for the action Of the House as the
committee may deem necessary for the pre-
servation ofits honor and independence.
Mr. Wentworth moved the previous ques-
ton on the resolution.
Mr.. Eldridge asked him TO yield for an
amendment.
Mr.. Wentworth said he could not yield /;
the session was too short for any debate.
Mr.. Eldridge said he did not want to debate
it. He only wanted the resolution amended
so as to direct inquiry as 10 whether mem.
bers on the other side had not been holding
meetings for corrupt purposes, and had not,
with corrupt objects, determined to impeach
the President
Mr.. Wentworth insisted on the previous
question, and the House seconded it.
Mr. Hill moved to lay the resolution on
the table.
Mr. Window asked the Speaker ifitwould
| be in order to move an amendment directing
the committee to inquire also into what be.
came Of his oyercoat. Laughter.
The Speaker thought that would hardly be
in order.
Mr.. Maynard wanted to know whether the
author Of the resolution repudiated the cardi
Dal constitutional principle that
while the lamp holds out to burn,
The vilest sinner may return"
Mr. Wentworth deigned no response tc
these suggestions.
Mr.. Hill withdrew the motion to lay on the
table for the purpose, as he said, Of saving
time and letting the vote be taken directly
on this resolution.
The vote was taken by yeas and nays, ant
resulted-yeas so, nays Al.
So the preamble and resolution were
agreed to.
Mr.. Wentworth moved to reconsider tht
vote and lay the motion to reconsider on thu
table.
Mr.. Wilson, of Iowa, appealed to the Hous,
to reconsider the vote and let the resolution
be amended so as to refer the inquiry to
select committee.
Mr.. Wentworth thought the Judiciary
Committee the proper one, as it already haC
charge Of the subject
Mr.. Wilson said the Judiciary Committee
had not charge Of it, and it would be impos
sible for that committee to attend to it.
The motion to reconsider was not laid or
the table, and the vote was reconsdered.
Mr.. Wilson then moved to amend the rcso
luton by striking out the Judiciary Com
mittee and inserting select committee o
three.
Members all over the hall suggested
luugnlngiy, Conlnlttee VI ohe, lehNhB tn'
matter entirely in Mr.. Wentworth's hands
and Mr. McRuer moved that as an amend
ment
The House appeared on division to b,
largely in favor Of Mr.. McRuers amend
ment, but the yeas and nays having beei
called, the amendment was rejected-G4 t
60.
The amendment of Mr.. Wilson was the
, adopted, and the matter referred to a selec
committee Of three.
. The Speaker announced as the select con
, mittee on the resolution offered by Mr. Wen
WORTH Messrs. Wentworth, Ward Of Me-
York, and Glossbrenner