The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-05-16
BY TELEGRAPH.
CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, May Is.
HnuSR

ASGDASs
Mr.. Woodward. offered a preamble
relative to the letter addressed Senator
Henderson by the Missouri members,
stating that such communication ad-
dressed to Senator sitting in iudg-
ment on the President of the United
States, is a gross breach OF privilege on
the Senate, and calculated to degrade
the House and obstruct the course of
public justice; and concluding with a
resolution that select committee of
seven be appointed to inquire If said
communication was received by Sem
ator Henderson, what is the legal char
acter of the oIense, and what penalty,
ifany, the House ought, in vindication
of its own dignity, to inflict; as we'll as
to what provisions of law are necessary
to prevent the recurrence of the same
wrongs; with power to send for per-
sons and papers, and report by bill or
otherwise.
Mr.. Garfield objected TO its reception.
The Speaker, the Chair is about to
decide the question as to whether the
resolution is or Is not a question of priv
ilege. In the opinion OF the Chair 1t is not
a question of privilege; the wording of
the resolution expressly shows that it
is not. The charge is that the matter
ilege of the Senate. 1t has not yet oC-
CURED in the recollection of the Chair
that the House of Representatives has
been recognized by the Senate rs hav-
ing charge of the protection of its
privileges. If the privilege OF q Sena-
tor be assailed, that body is compe-
tent to protect its own privilege, nor
Senate of the United States should as
sumo to protect the privileges OF the
House. The Chair, therefore, does not
think the resolution in its language
presents a question of privilege.
Mr.. Eldridge-Is there not another
allegation in the resolution which does
present the question of privilege.
The sPeaker-if the gentleman from
Wisconsin appeals from the decision OF
the chair the chair will put the ques-
tion to the House.
Mr.. Eldridge-I do not appeal, but
wish TO call the attention ofthe Speaker
to the fact that there is another clause
in the resolution which does present the
question of privilege, and that the Teso-
luton can be modified by striking. out
that part of it referring to the privileges
of the Senate.
The Speaker-The chair rules that
this is not question of privilege.
Mr.. Garfield-I demand the regular
order OF business. That is the only
way to stop it.
Mr.. Woodward consent TO the
Vi lh6 IG6UAuklOll ny bkIlh-
ing out that part in reference "a
the privilege of the Senate,
1t is not at all essential, II
that is the only reason why the reso'
luton is not question of privilege, ]
will strike out that part of 1t.
Mr.. Garfield demand the regular
order of business.
Mr.. Loan-I desire to say that all the
communication had by the members Of
the House from the State of Missouri
with the Senator of that State, was had
at his special instance and request, and
the paper was signed at his instance.
Mr.. Eldridge-So much the worse
ten times worse.
The Speaker-The question is not de.
batable. The gentlemen from Penn.
sylvania has modified his resolution BY
striking out that part referring to The
infringement of privileges of the Sen
ate. The chair is of the opinion still
that it is not question of privilege
the nearest point to it that he can see il
found on page 155 of the parliamentary
digest, that of the alleged corrupt COM
bination. 1t does not appear from the
resolution that any corrupt Combin
ton is charged upon members of the
House, as to the intercourse between
them and their colleagues in the Senate
The chair cannot assume that in order
to make a question of privilege.
Mr.. Woodward-Then 1 ask the
unanimous consent of the House t
offer the resolution.
Upsen and others objected.
The House resumed the considera.
tion of the bill for the relief of VIM
McGarrahan, reported last Saturday
from the Judiciary Committee, which
confirms his titieIo 10000 acres of lanC
in California, embracing the New
Idra quicksilver mine.
The bill was explained and advoca
ted by Mr.. Wilson, of Iowa, as Chair
man Of the Judiciary Committee, who
said that In the Committee there wa
but one dissenting voice, that of MIR
Boutwell,.
Mr.. Boutwell, stated the grounds OF
which he opposed the bill in the Com,
mittee, and on which he thought
should be defeated in the House.
Mr.. Washburne, OF Illinois, inquired
whether the title of the property wal
not in the United States to-day.
Mr.. Wilson replied that 1t was.
Mr.. Washburne then wanted to know
what Justice there was in giving thi!
property, worth two or three millions
OF dollars, to McGarrahan or any othei
man, aud why the law allowing min
eral lands to be occupied and taken ou
of the possession of the Government
should not be repealed.
hIs w lAoOh bdlO nOu10
those questions in his argument.
Mr.. Van Wyck opposed the bill, ar
guing that the claim had originated IL
fraud and forgery, and had beer
propped up by perjury.
Mr.. johnson expressed belief tina
Mr.. McGarrahan's claim was just.
Mr.. Wilson recited the facts in the
controversy, sustaining the claims
Mr.. McGarrahan, and arguing agatns
the claim of the New Idria Mining
Company, stating that ii the bill wa
not passed the quicksilver monopoly
in California would control the pro
duct and price of quicksilver.
After further debate, Mr.. HtgoI
| moved to table the bill, which was re
jected. The bill then passed.
The House went into a Committee
the Whole on the state of the Union
Mr.. Lawrence, of Ohio, in the chair
! with the understanding that no furthe
business would be done to-day.
The Speaker, however, notified tn
House that It was possible the attend
ance of the House might be desired
the bar of the Senate at II tomorrow
Mr.. Garfield delivered an elaboratell
prepared speech on the financial ques
ton, after which the Committee ros'
and the House adjourned.