Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-02-10
(From the Phla. .Lsdser.1 !,
rHrRTfETH CON0R Ess-skC0ND SESSION.

vNAoniN0AVN1 ECU, ", .c'~' = I
The Senate took up the consideration Of
the bill for a still further reduction Of the
rates Of postage. n
Mr.. Allen, Of Ohio, addressed the Senate
in speech Of great earnestness. The prin-
cipal portion Of his speech was in opposition
to the system now adopted in regard 10 the
ocean mail steamers. In reply to the remarks
made by Mr.. Niles, on a former occasion, he
charged that gentleman with having turned
somerset on the tariff question. Nor was
this the only question which he (Mr. N.Y. had
acted in opposition to the party to which he
professed TO be Unidentified with. Other in
stances were alluded to and animadverted
upon. .a ue3
| Mr.. Niles replied He said that if SOM
erset had been made, it had been made by !
the other party. Parties sometimes lost sight |
of their most cherished principles; but his
conscience did not accuse him Of tergiversa-
tion in the matter. As for the gentleman
from Ohio, he (Mr. Niles) accused him Of the
feat which had been attributed 10 himself.
Not only had Mr.. Allen made somerset on
the tariff question, but he had done so at Ex-
ecutive dictation.
There was a further discussion between
these gentleman, in which frequent allnsion
was made to alleged political inconsistenciesl
Mr.. Pearce was opposed to the free circula-
tion of newspapers. He thought that the in
terests Of the public would not be advanced
by such measure. He was in favor OF
&c for nyDar
The debate was further continued BY
Messrs. Dickinson and Westcott, when, on
motion, the Senate adjourned.
HoUsE.-The House met at l2 o'clock to-
= LAY; -
MIR. T. moved to suspend the rules in order
10 have the same acted upon. The motion
was lost
!, MIR. Stephens, Of Georgia, obtained unani-
= nous consent to offer his resolutions calling
upon the President for infirmaiion in regard
to the existence of protocol signed by the
American Commissioners and the Mexican
y Minister, Rosas, declaring the amendments
F" to the treaty of peace, by the American Sem
= ate, TO be matters Of form and not of SUBJ
u stance.
The resolution were read by the Clerk.
70 The resolutions being before the House
Mr.. Stephens made a lengthy speech. He
= believed, he said, in the existence Of this pro-
- tocoI, and in case it was not produced upor
. this call ofthe House, he would move for the
10 appointment of Committee, with power tt
10 send for persons and papers.
Mr.. Houston, Of Alabama, followed, reply
II ing to Mr.. Stephens remarks with consdera
% Bile warmth. He alluded to the letter writer
y by Mr.. Buchanan to the Mexican Govern
~ ment on the subject, and said that the lette
VI was similar in its tenor to the protocol.
is Here Mr.. Houston was interrupted (oI
70 leave) and interrogated by Messrs. Stephen
'e and Toombs.
Mr.. Houston resumed his remarks in de
fence of the President. He said that the Pre-
sident had been a.sailed by the gentleman
" from Georgia in such language which coul
4. inflict no possible injury upon the President
in but it was language of that kind which is no
used by one gentleman when speaking Of an
other on the floor Of that House.
Mr.. Stephens interrupted MIR. H. He sal
that he had made sufficient number of call
in upon the President for the important informa
II: tion desired he would ask no more; ; but
ne the Presidential dared TO Withhold the infol
he nation, he would ask for a committee OF in
'h quiry to send for persons and papers.
m MIR. Houston-President Polk cannot to il
a. timdated into compliance.
Mr.. Stephens-We will try it.
Mr.. Houston closed his remarks by offerin
~ an amendment to the resolutions, which wa
~ in effect that the President need not respon
Is to the call il he should deem it incompatible
no with the public interests.
as The question was then taken on Houston
'e' amendment and decided in the negative
- yeas 81, nays 96. -4
an Mr. Stephens modified his resolutions SOM
let what, and the question on their adoption WI
m taken and decided in the affirmative -ye'
ay TAT, nays 81.
ed