The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-13


tuIe
The game of Senator SEWARD is developing
Itself daily. The truce here is to be turned to
good account, by keeping up the agitation al the
North, under cover OF it, In the NewYork leg
lsatnre, amoye has been made to keep the mat
ter before the people 1t is thus vaguely and
oraenlarly announced in the Albany Argus:
II is certainly desirable, and appropriate, if the
legislative time and patience is TO be taxed at all.
by acquisitions from the abolition mnt-thnt
the Initiative should be taken in an independ-
ent" quarter. Hence, we take it for granted
the source Of the proposition announced as forth
coming in the house yesterday, aimed at the
Fugitive bill. We shall see whether it is to re-
ceive countenance in any other quarter.
This is as clear as mud But the Ecening
Journal is not quite so diplomaic-it gives the
proceedings thus vaguely Swallowed forth We
append them-and invite special attention to
The course the matter took--and the final vote
by which leave was given to introduce the BILL
FUGITIVE SLAVES
Mr.. COFFIN asked leave to bring in bill 10
prevent the arrest or removal of citizens of this
State from beyond the jurisdiction of the State
The bill declares those who aid in arresting
any citizen not charged with crime, and in re-
moving him from the State, guilty of kidnapping
ana lis details have reference to other partcu-
lars, looking to the personal liberty Of persons
claimed us fugitves from service.
Mr.. A. A. THOMPSON called for the reading
Of the bill. He understood il to relate 10 the
enforcement of the Fug 'tve slave law. If ii
did he should oppose its introduction
The hill Wa rand x.,bnp
Mr.. TOWNSEND said he should regret to have
leave to introduce this or any other bill denied
1t is not presumed that the House knows the
contents ola bill thus presented to it, until after
its reception. The request to have it received
is not unlike the request to present petition
and 1t would be as dscourtous TO refuse leave
to introduce bill. IA ii would be to refuse to re-
ceive petition. This bill, when received, will
go to an appropriate committee, where its merits
can be discussed ard reported upon. Leave to
introduce II bill is Il mere matter Of form, and he
hoped that his colleague would withdraw bis
objections.
Mr.. A. A. THOMPSON thought he saw in this
bill an attempt to renew agitation on the SUBJ
ject Of slavery-to render a solemn law of Con-
gress nugatory, and to evade a constitutional
duty. He would as soon expect man to in
trodace bill to abrogate the Constitution us
to abrogatc the Fugitive slave law.
Mr.. BAKER suggested that the merits of the
bill could not now be discussed.
The SPEAKER SO stated, and requested gcu-
tlcmen TO corfine their remarks to the question
Of reception
Mr. USDERwoop, without expressing any
opinion of the merits Of the bill, would vote for
its reception. He would deny no member his
right to introduce bill on any subject which
he may deem important.
Mr.. FERRIS would regret the agitation of the
slavery question as much as any man, but he
could not deny the request of any member to
introduce the bill.
Mr.. BURROUGHS regretted that the gentleman
from New York (Mr. THoMPsoN) had not been
allowed to say what he pleased. He wanted to
have him enlighten the House in regard to its
duty on this subject, because he came from
section Of the State which presumes to have all
the Wisdom and all the patriotism of the State
on this particular subject.
MIR. o. ALLEN would feel it to be his duty to
oppose the passage Of this bill but he could
not vote against its introduction
Leave WIS granted to introduce the bi i
ayes 1903, nays 90
1t was read the first time and Mr.. THOMPSON
objected to its second reading at this time.