The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-22
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
THvRsDAv, March 81, 1850.
SENATE.

n
Mr.. wHITCOMB presented several joint resolu-
tons of the Legislature of the State OF Indiana,
asking the action of Congress upon several sub
Jects, which were read and referred
cHAPLAINs IN THE ARMY, NAVY, AND CONGRESS.
Petitions praying that chaplaincies may be abo-
ished in the army, navy and Congress, were pre-
sented by Messrs. WHITcoMB, TuRNEy, SHIELDS,
DICKINSON, ATcmsoN, BERRrEH, HUNTER, WALKER,
DODGE of Iowa, MILLER, and COOPER
FUGITIVE SLAVES.
Mr.. MILLER presented petition from sundry
citizens of New Jersey, praying that persons
charged with being fugitive slaves shall have the
right of trial by jury.
Mr.. SEWARD presented petition of similar
character from citizens of New York.
Also, petition from citizens Of the State of
Pennsy vania, that slavery may not be extended
to the Territories.
MISSISSIPPI STATE REsoLUTIoNs-sLAvERY.
Mr.. FOOTE said he about TO present the re-
solutions adopted by the Legislature Of the State of
Mississippi and asked the indulgence of the Senate
for few moments, while he said few words in
explanation Of certain things relating TO the action
of his State the subject which now engrosses
the attention of the country.
He said that for some time past the National In
teiigencer OF this cityone OF the Senatc's official
gazettes-had been doing the utmost injustice not
only TO all who had favored the meeting Of the
Southern convention, but particularly doing the
greatest injustice to the State of Mississippi in
nexon herewith. The National Inteligencer had /,
from the very first intimation that the Southern
convention should be called, been constantly draw
ing a comparison and an analogy between this
Southern convention and the odious Hartford con-
vention II was we'll known that the Hartford con-
vention held to promote dissolution OF the
Union and the overthrow of the Constitution. The
Southern convention was to be held for a far diff
ferent purpose. II to be held to devise such
measures as would prot, ct the Constitution and
preserve the Union. To show that this was the OBJ
ject Of the convention, he read at large from the
address of Hon. Judge Sharkie to the Mississippi
convention. From this il was apparent that the
Nashville convention, in case Congress should pass
the odious measures proposed and fail to pass pro-
per acts Of redress, was to call more formal con-
vention of the southern States, to adopt such mea
as would be necessary to secure their consti
tutiona rights
The resolutions were then read.
REMOVALS FROM OFFICE.
The Senate then proceeded to the consideration
of the resolution submitted on the 23d of December
last, calling upon the President for copies of the
charges, &C., If any, against the persons removed
from office since the 4th OF last march
Mr. SMITH said the resolution of the Senator
from Maine was so extraordinary and strange, that
he felt constrained to state his objections to it at
large. But as the Census bill was of pressing inn
portance, and should have been passed two months
ago, he willing for the present to yield his
claim to the floor, with the understanding that he
would be allowed to resume his remarks upon the
final disposition of that bill
y
Mr. MANG UNI submitted the following resolu
ton, which was adopted.
Resolved, That the committee to audit and con-
troll the contingent expenses OF the Senate inquire
into the propriety, equity, and justice OF making j.
Robinson some remuneration Tor his arrest, &c,
in the month of December last
THE CENSUS.
Mr. KING said that when the Senate adjourned
Yesterday the Census bill was under consideration,
and was now before the Senate as unfinished bust
ness, and had priority ofany other business.
The VICE PRESIDENT said the Census bill, be-
ing unfinished business, had priority any
other.
Mr. FooTE moved that the Census bill be post
poned till to- morrow, that the Senator from Con-
necticut be enabled TO make his speech the rcso-
luton of the Senator from Maine. The Admins
tration had been most powerfully attacked by the
Senator from Maine, and in justice opportunity
for a reply should be given
MIR. DAYTON, and Mr.. DAVIS, of Massachu-
sets, opposed the postponement
Messrs. COOPER, RUsK and BUTLER advo.
Gated the postponement.
And the question being taken by yeas and nays,
resulted-yeas %, nays 10.
REMOVALS FROM OFFICE.
The Senate then resumed the consideration of
this subject.
MIR. SMITH said that he believed the tendency
of the resolution had been attended with great in
convenience to the public business He had been
surprised that Senators on his side OF the chamber
had not been more interested in the question. The
President Of the United States had been most
justly attacked by gross mputations upon his con-
Duct and yet Senators seemed TO think that 1t was
not worth while 10 consider the truth Of the charges
but all allowed themselves TO be drawn off in dis
cussion of the slavery question. The Senate had
now been in session for four months, and nothing
had been done.
The Senate had been in the custom Of meeting
every Monday. and at one o'clock proceeding 70
discuss the slavery question; when their usual hour
for adjournment arrived the Senator speaking was
IL.
again. the Senate had been in the habit Of adjourn
ing over from Thursday till Monday. Such had
been the practice OF the Senate and the result was
that even at this day nothing was could be con-
sdered but the subject Of slavery, and the questions
growing out Of IL, many Of which had been already
settled and requiring no action on the part Of Con-
gross.
pugned. His character had been high and exalted
and was the theme Of universal eulogy until this
charge made. The Senator from Maine had
introduced this resolution; and upon the motion to
lay il on the table, test vote had been taken and
every Senator composing the majority Except one
Of the Senators from Alabama) had voted against
the motion; thereby adopting IL az their own.
The resolution of the Senator, taken in connex
ION with his speech, amounted TO a charge that, be
fore the election and during the canvass
Gen Taylor had held himself forth AZ entertaining
certain principles, and with having made certain
promises and pledges TO the people; that after his
election, and before the last accents Of his inaugu-
raj address had died away, the President-elected
in consequence Of these promises and pledges had
commenced gross violation Of all his solemn
and deliberate pledges This the charge made
by the Senator from Maine. IL was in effect that
the President had been elected by swinding the
pcople-by obtaining their votes under false pre-
tcnses He would consider the resolution in all it's
bearings in connection with the speech Of the Senator
from Maine, and for 20 doing lac had high author
ity. In 1882 committee appointed in the
House Of Representatives, Of which Mr.. Wise was
chairman, 20 investigate certain alleged charges Of
corruption in the Departments, and that committee
passed certain resolutions calling upon the Presi.
dent fer information upon the subject. General
jackson made a characteristic reply, that in con-
sidering the resolutions Of the committee he would
consider in oonnexion Herewith tho speech Of the
chairman Of the committee in introducing the sub
/ jcct 10 the House Of Representatives.
Mr.. =. then examined the nature Of the call
/ proposed by tho resolution Of the Senator from
Maine. II required that the President should not
only overhaul all the records Of the various Depart
inents Of this city, but Of the houses and
/ the subordinate branches Of the custom service,
and Of all the fifteen twenty thousand post Offices
! scattered over the country. II proposed that the
President should inquire into the particulars Of the
appointment Of every petty officer in the country,
\ on either ocean. This would necessarily require
that all public business should stop in the several
Departments, and that additional clerks should be
employed TO copy all the papers relating 10 the