The Portland daily press., 1868-05-30
XLth CONGRESS- Second Session.
SENATE.

XLth 00NGRBSS-Second Session.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, May 29.-Mr. Sumner pre-
sented petitions of citizens OF Boston settlng
forth the Importance of the improvement OF
the great lakes, particularly at 81 May falis,
and asking for assistance IN the enlargement
of st. Mary's canal, which were referred to the
Committee ON Commerce
Mr. Sherman from the Committee ON FL
nance. reported amendments to provide for
the national currency and for the issue of
United States bonds. He also stated that he
had received letter on the subject from the
Comptroller of the Currency, which he would
lay before the Senate and call up the bill at an
early day.
Mr.. Chandler called up the bill to regulate
the coastlng trade of the northern, northeas.
tern and northwestern frontiers.
Mr.. Fessenden made some remarks, intimat-
ing that the bill had not received sufficient
consideration from the Committee on Com
merce.
Mr.. Trumbull urged the passage of the bill,
saying that if any Objectionable features APP
peared amendments could be offered.
AT this point the bill to extend the charter
of the city of Washington came over from the
President with the announcement that it had
become law by the lapse of ten days since its
receipt. The announcement ELECTED smile
on the Republican side.
The morning hour having expired, Mr.. Har-
Ian urged the consideration of business rela-
tive to the District of Columbia as provided
by resolution for to-day.
Mr.. Trumbul urged the Importance OF the
passage of the bill for the admission of Ar
kansas before adjournment.
Mr. Buckalew opposed it, ON the ground
that further information should first be re-
ceived.
Mr.. Sumner advocated Mr.. Morril's motion.
MIR. Conness advocated it, and the motion
was lost-12 to "a.
The Arkansas bill was then taken mp and
considered, the question being on Mr.. Ferry's
amendment, striking out all fundamental con-
ditions.
Mr. Edmunds made long legal argument
against the amendment, holding that Congress
cannot impose conditions of admission.
Mr.. Conkling followed, controverting Mr..
Edmunds views
AT 4.25 the Senate went into executive ses-
sion and subsequently adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Morgan, as question of privilege, pre-
sented the following:
Whereas, it has been the practice in all par
llamentary bodies. when the liberty of a citi-
zen is involved by Investigation or report of
committee, to give each political party repre-
sentatlon on such committee: and
Whereas, in no instance heretofore has an
American citizen been deprived of liberty by
therefore, to vindicate the character of the
House of Representatives of the Congress of
the United States from such seemingly parti-
Fan Investigations,
Resoloed, That the Speaker be instructed to
add two members of the opposition party IN
this House to the committee to investigate the
facts in the case of G. w. Wooley.
After debate, during which the preamble
was stricken out, and the number of the oppo-
sition party to be added increased to three. the
House refused to consider the resoluton-yeas
50 nays 65.
Mr.. Boyer then offered, as q question of
privilege, a resolution to add three members of
the House who voted against impeachment to
the committee authorized to investigate the
alleged corrupt means employed to influences
the Senate in the determination of impeach-
ment.
The Speaker ruled that it was not a question
of privilege.
Mr.. Bingham called up his motion to recon-
slider the vote by which, last evening, the reso-
luton to commit Chas. Wooley to close con-
tnement was agreed to. He proceeded to de-
fend the action of the select committee in ref
erence to the treatment of the recusant wit
ness, and to show the contradictions in his tes-
timOny. ..La
An exciting discussion sprung up, during
which Mr.. Brooks made speech covering a
statement by Mr.. Woolley as to the manner in
which he had been treated by Mr.. Butler in
committee room; characterizing Mr.. Buffers
action as rude, abusive and insulting, and
stating that his answers when given were
modified, altered and changed by Mr.. Butler,
the witness being denied any opportunity to
explain except OIL two or three occasions; that
he was refused to see his own evidence and to
consult with his counsel, and on his refusal to
relate private business to the committee which
had no reference to the trial of the President,
or the articles of impeachment, or to the vote
of any Senator, coupled with the request to be
brought to the bar of the House, Gen. Butler
remarked that he would offer a resolution to
place witness in close confinement until the
4th OF March, 1863, andfwitness was thereupon
tod To fIn 1tn1xr AEft, cd
Arms; that witness considers he cannot di-
vulge matters that come to him under the pro-
lection and sanction of the relation of client
and counsel, and if he should make such dis
closures under any circumstances they can be
made only when demanded by competent au-
thority which possesses the power to punish
for a refusal to disclose, viz. the House itself
when the disclosure is not voluntary but forced
and the witness is protected, Mr.. Brooks,
after some further remarks, said Mr.. Buffers
object in his Misrepresentation of the acts of
Woolley is apparent. He wanted to connect
Wooley with the President and thus pervert
his answer to accomplish his purpose.
During Mr.. Brooks remarks Mr.. Butler OBJ
jected that the enclosure was al abusive, vio-
lent and vituperative communication, which
any gentleman should have been ashamed of.
Mr.. Brooks said he could not be taught
gentllity by a gentleman from Massachusetts,
Mr.. Butler stated that the relations between
the gentleman and himself were well known,
and should have taught him courtesy.
The Speaker said it is presumbed by parla-
mentary law that the relations between all
members are cordial, and asked the House to
consent to the gentleman from New York pro-
ceeding in order.
Mr.. Brooks withdrew the abusive words, but
the House, by yeas 80 nays 73 refused him per-
mission to proceed.
Mr.. Eldridge insisted that the witness Wool
ley had done nothing to bring him in con-
tempt of House.
Finally, Mr.. Butler defended the action of
the managers, and abiding to the complaint
that there were no members of the opposition
party on the committee, said it was as impru
dent for Ali Bab, if he were before a grand
jury, to require the rest of the forty thieves to
be put on the grand jury.
The Speaker ruled this out of order, though
Mr.. Butler disclaimed any personal applica-
ton of it, and on a vote by tbs House he was
allowed to proceed.
The hour having expired, Mr.. Bingham
withdrew the motion to reconsider SO the res
olution stands as adopted yesterday.
The Speaker said Mr.. Woolley's wife and
counsel would be allowed to visit him.
The House refused to agree to the motion
made by Mr.. Carey to adjourn over tomorrow,
and then went into committee of the whole on
the Indian appropriation BILL and without dis
posing of it adjourned.