Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-12-04
HOUSE OF REPwEsENTaT1vEs

r..
came up to the Clerks desk and asked leave
to introduce the following resolution rela-
tive to the partition OF Texas. 1t instructs
the committee on Reconstruction toinuuire
into the expediency of dividing the terri
tory lately known as the State of Texas into
two or more States, to be admitted into the
Union when duly qualified.
Mr.. ELDRIDGE objected, lemarkine
that the State of Texas was enough to be
held under a despotic Government
MIR. STEVENS explained that his reso-
luton was merely one of inquiry.
The SPEAKER stated the eff ct OF the
resolution would be to revive the commit
tee on Reconstruction.
Mr.. ELDRIDGE persisted in his obiec-
ton, and the resolution was not received.
A resolution was introduced by Mr.. Ste
vens concerning the tax on spirits, direct
ing the Ways aud Means committee to in
quire into the propriety of so amending
the revenue laws as to ascertain and asses
the value according to canacity of the still,
instead of the pres mt m de. Adopted.
Mr.. COOk, from the committee on Fec
tions, made a report in the matter of the
Kentucky Representatives, and asked for
action to -day.
The Clerk then proceeded to read the re-
port, but before concluding iJ the Presi-
dents message was delivered, and the read
iEg of the Election report was ended. It
Knott. Grover, Jones and Beck. AS to
Trimhle, Brown and Young, the commit
tee had not dispn ed of their cases.
Mr.. SCHENCK. rising to question of
privilege, said: l understand the paper
now presented is the annual message of
the President of the United States. l wish
TO call the attention of the House and of
the country to the fact that the message
was published this morning in all the pa
pers of the leading cities of the Union. 1
hold in my hand the Baltimore Gazette,
with copy of the message in full. 1t is a
paper addressed to the Senate and House
of Representatives of the United States, as
required by the Constitution. 1 hold it
to be disrespectful to Congress that this
paper should first make its appearance in
the public prints Of the country before its
being communicated to Cor gress. Rumor
says that some hanger on about the White
House, or some favorite individual has
made traffic with the mes sage and sent it to
the different newspapers. If that be the
ease it renders it more disrespecttul to the
House. l will not object to the mes
sage being read, although 1 might
properly do so under the circumstances.
because we owe respect to the great office
which that man holds, we may not respect
the incumbent. The publication of the
message is certainly an act of disrespect
but who is the guilty party? The Presi-
vance of its official promulgation
has done nothing more or less
than was done by his predecessors in
office, but always with the express or inn
piled pledge of honor that it will no. be
published until officially promul gated. l,
as d member of the press, deeply regret
that the ledge of honor has been violated,
L think. for game which is not worth the
candle.
Mr.. FARNSWORTH insisted on the reg
ular order of business, which was the read
ing of the annual message.
The Clerk at 80 proceeded to read the
Presidents message.
Mr.. SCHENCK, in moving the reference
of the message TO the committee of the
Whole, said: There is great deal in tn It
message which l think it probable will
the assent of most of us, and
there is a great deal more, and especially
in that part which relates to the reconstrUc-
tion OF the States that have been in rebel
lion, breathing, as it does, the spirit not
only OF defiance, but, may even say, ILL
temper towards Congress. which. appre-
hend. viii not, when we come
to discuss the contents of the message in
committee pass without challenging criti-
cism and comment. When the message
first came in, spoke Of 1t as apparently
disreSpectful that the annual message of
the President should find its way
into the public prints of the coun-
try, at least in all citi-s, before it had
been communicated to Congress, to which
it is addressed, L did not wish it to be
understood as charging that the President
himself was directly party to such a dis
position of the me ssaPe. L did say, ana L
am somewhat confirmed in my belief by
the information which L have had
since, that with or without the Presi-
dent being party TO the arrange
ment, persons in his confidence have
made traffic of the me sage for money.
Mr.. SCHENCK also alluded to the adj
dress on the title page of the officially
printed papers of the message, which says:
To the two Hous,s of Congress" L do
not know what is intended by that. 1t
seems to have been thought bv Congress,
when it passed the act of the 22nd OF JAM
uary last, providing, that in addition to
{ e present regular time of meeting OF
Congress, there SHOULD be meeting of
Congress on the 4th day of March. at
the beginning of each Congress, that it
was adding another TO the
already existing numrcr of regular meet
ings of Congress. and doing iJ by law. L
do not know who is responsible for this
title page, but it Looks to me as if som,-
body else having the confidence of the
President has undertaken a petty fling at
Congress by an intimation at the very
that its legislation is not worthy
OF Delnp TeSaCueu as legal or WlCnln It's
powers.
Mr.. COVODE said the message had got
to the newspapers through direct purchase,
made yesterday evening, OF one of the
Presidents surroundings. and that one
hundred dollars was paid for it. The seller
had afterwards disposed OF copies to other
parties at reduced prices, creating confrs-
ion in the market. Laughter.]
The message was referred to The commit
Tee of the Whole OH the State OF the Un-
ion.
A motion to print extra copies was re-
ferred to the committee on Printing.
the report OF the Election committee on
the Kentucky Representatives was taken
up and agreed to.
Beck, Jones AMI Knott were sworn in
G rover was not prese t.
Mr.. SCHENCK reported a bill abolishing
the tax on cotton to be grown after the
year 1867.
Mr.. BROOKS offered a substitute, max
iny the law apply from and after passage.
After debate, and without action, the
House adjourned.
General Maggie Captured
81 LONDON, Dec. ga dispatch, has been
received from Sligo Island announcing that
the notorious Fenian General Nagle was
caDtured in that city, late last evening hv