Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-02-27
The Expulsion Debate.

hOOSE.-Attcl our report Closed
MR. BINGHAM ADDRESSED THE HousE
on the expulsion resolutions reported by the
Poland committee. Referring to the action of
the press on this subject, Mr.. Bingham said a
dishonored itself by debating TO the representa-
tlyes Of the people what they should do in this
matter He referred to the fact the committee
had rendered special verdict, aud had excul-
pated all the members of Congress charged ex
cept Mr.. Ames and Mr.. Brooks. With regard
to the latter, they find that Messrs. Ames and
Brooks were guilty. He called attention to the
fact, however, that that with which both these
men were charged was committed before they
were elected members of this House. He denied
that the House had authority to expel member
and thus deprive their constituents of their
right to repres Bad a the credit mo-
biler corporation might be, its great wicke,iness
was eclipsed by the attempt of this House TO
usurp the authority to deprive the people of the
right of representation. He ridiculed the idea
that this House was closed i'm the least degree
with the transcendent powers OF the British Par
lament.
CENT RANKS SUPPORTS THE COMMITTEE rr-
PORT.
Mr.. Banks, after speaking of the great and
growing power of the railroad corporations of
the country, referIcd to the fact that he had
not desired q place upon the committee but
that the Speaker would not relieve him. He
would, however, do his duty fearlessiy and faith
fully. He agreed with the conclusions of the
committee because of the broad PRINCIPLE that
the House he'd right TO protect itself. This
right belonged to all individuals and all powers
and he did not believe that right would be
stricken down here. IL this House will by it,
action assert that the gigantic railroad corpo-
ratiOns of the country NAV come in here and
bride the members of this body with Immunity
then the Representatives will be derelct of their
duty. The power to protect itself was given in
the Constitution. which declared that by a vote
of two-thirds IL could expel its members. This
right OF protection was to insure our purity and
II We fail 10 preserve our pure character, we
lose the good character we have as Lawmakers
Mr.. Banks then referred to the case of Mr.
Ames, who had himself said TO the committee
that he placed that stock to interest members
by Mr.. Ames in 1861 was continuing down 10
this time. Its influence did not terminate in
1856, for II was avowed that the credit mobiIier
would be resumed soon as the suit in Penn
sylvania IL terminated. The credit mobilier IA
still here; IL Is about and i'm these halls and il
is watching with lyxn eyes the result of the
action in the House. The credit mobiler will
be resumed as soon as the PENNSYLVANIA suit is
over. With regard to Mr.. Brooks. he said his
act was also continuous. Although he got the
stock years ago, General Banks quoted from the
action of Congress of only last session to show
that Mr.. Brooks had then objected to the mere
reference OF q resolution for an investiga of
Pacific railroads. The other members should
have made more inquiries about the stock; In
that they were derelict; but their act did not
amount to bribery. As to the case of Mr. Brooks.
to which Mr.. Banks again referred he said the
opinion of the committee was irresistible that
Mr. Brooks obtained the stock by virtue of his
prospective or actual appointment as a govern
ment director.
The House took q recess.
Lively Time ~ the Evening Session.
At the evening session NJ HauSa r..S,,oad