The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-07-29
THIRTY-SECOND CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
WEDNESDAY,, July %, 1882.
SENATE.

w kDSksoAf, July co. iOo@'
SENATE.
After petitions
Mr.. HAMLiN reported resolution, which was
agreed to- ordering that the document containing
the proceedings and speeches of both Houses on
the occasion Of Mr.. Clays death be bound as other
Senate documents
RIoHT WAY TO RAILROADS, ETC.
Mr. FELCH reported back House bill grant
ing the right Of way through the public lands TO
ali railroads plank roads, and MacadamiIed turn
pike roads; and the same was considered, read a
third time, and passed.
LAND DISTRICTS WISCONSIN,.
Mr.. DODGE, of Iowa, reported back House
bill to establish additional land districts in the
State Of Wisconsin,; and the same was considered,
read third time, and passed
ooApENsATIoN OF CENSUS sUPzRINTENDESr.
MIR. DAVIS introduced the following;
Joint resolution explanatory of an act supplement
tary to a act approved the 23d Of May, 1850.
BE it resolved by the S'nats and House Of Repre-
sntGt,pes That the third section Of an act entitled
"An act supplementary to an act providing for the
taking of the seventh and subsequent censuses of
the United States, and TO Tx the number Of the
members of the House Of Representatives, and pro-
vide for their future apportionment among the
several States, approved May %, 1880" be so con
strued that no alloSance as compensation be made
20 any person for any other services
endered secretary to the census board after the
first day Of June, 1850.
Mr ~. explained that under the third sec
ton OF the supplementary act, passed short time
since, a construction was claimed which would
give the superintendent of the census a salary of
$1,000 year, when no such thing was contem.
plated by Congress. The act Of 1850 author
lied the payment to the secretary Of the census
boar of a salary at the rate of 900 year; the
salary of the superne ndent Of the census liked
at g. 500 The census board in fact expired " hen
the census was taken, and no salary should be al
lowed the superintendent of the census for con-
sructive services as secretary to the board
Mr.. Blu Tier bought the joint resolution ought
to be passed.
1t was then read twice and considered, and or
dered to be engrossed for a third reading.
ALTON, ItLINors.
The engrossed bill declaring Alton. Illinois, a
port Of delivery, read third time and passed.
THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.
MIR. SUMNER moved that the Senate take up
up for consideration the following resolution offer
ed by him yesterday:
Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary
be requested to consider the expectancy Of report
ing bill for the immediate repeal of the act of
Congress approved September Is, 1850, usually
known as the Fugitive Slave act.
Mr.. SUMNER said In asking the Senate to
take up this resolution for consideration, ! cay no.
thing Of its merits, nor OF the arguments by which
1t may be maintained, nor do i anticipate any 90
Jectons to 1t on these grounds All This will pro.
perry belong to the discussion Of the resolution
itself when it 10 actually before the Senate. The
singe question now is, not the resolution, but whe-
Their snal! be heard upon it, As a Senator, under
the responsibilities OF my position. have deemed
1t my tuty to offer this resolution may seem to
have postponed this duty to an inconvenient pc
Rod Of the session; but had ! attempted it at an
earlier day, ! might have exposed myself to a
charge OF different character 1t might then
have been said that new conner, and mex pc
rlenced in this scene, without deberation, has
lily, rashiy, recklessy, pushed this question
before the country. This ID not the case now.
] have taken time, and in the exercise of my
ntlsfc fuI aak far fhea ftnp-
ton of the Senate. l shrink from any appeal
founded trivial personal consideration; but
should be blamed for any delay lat.erly, may
add, that though in my seat daily, my bod
lily health for some time past down to this very
week has not been equal 10 the service have un.
dertaken am not sure that it ia now. But dc.
sire TO try. And now again say the question is
simply whether shall be heard. In allowing me
this privilegc-this right. might say-you do no,
commit yourselves in any way TO the principle OF
the resolution; you do not, but you merely follow
the ordinary usage Of the Senate, and yield to a
brother Senstor the oppol tunity which he Graves
in the practical discharge of his duty, to express
convictions dear TO his heart, and dear to large
numbers OF his constituents.
For the sake of these constituents, for my own
sake, now desire to be heard. Make such d:spo.
sltion Of my resolution afterward 10 you shall
seem best; visit upon me any degree of criticism
censure, or displeasure; but do not deprive me O
a hearing. "Strike, but hear"
Mr.. MASON said that he objected to the consd
Grafton OF the resolution at this time, not from any
want Of courtesy towards the Senator, nor from
any objection to meet this question at any proper
time; but 1t must be manifest to the Senate that,
this advanced stage of the session, no proper dis
cusson Of this subject could be had, in fact an
discussi N beyond the remarks which the Senator
might make. He objected to il also because tn,
introduction OF this subject at this time would b,
throwing hrebrand in the Senate to revive agta
tiop
MIR. BROOKE said that the State be represented
as well as that represented by his friend, (Mr De
p \ led ,ltnr HDa,ft
subject. They had declared in conventions, call
ed for the especial purpose Of considering thil
subject, In the most solemn and emphatic manner
that the repeal or essential modification of the Flu
gitive Slave law would be sufficient cause for dis
solution OF the Union. This no idle threat
but was a resolve that would be carried promptly
into execution by tbosc States, and would NEE
the approval of the whole South He regarded
this resolution then, proposition to dissolve the
Union, and he could not consent, courtesy or nc
courtesy, to its consideration at this stage of the
session. He said the people Of the South would re
gard the repeal Of this law as evidence of bad
filth, that no faith could be kept by the North
and would consider that the Union, under such
circumstances, would be worse than none at all.
MIR. CHARLTON said be was very sorry to be
compelled to differ from the Senator from Massa-
chUsetts again on question of courtesy. But this
resolution presented gu, ston which would rend
THIS Union in pieces. The State Of Georgia had in
convention pledged itself that if this law be re,
pealed she will withdraw from the Union and he
and none Of his constituents were disposed to draw
back from that determination He referred to the
tables of the two Houses covered with importan,
bills among them those necessary to carry on the
machinery Of Government, all yet to be disposed
of during the short time OF the session yet remain
ing. Why should this question be introduced at
euch time? He asked the Senator to look be-
yond the coast of his own State, and see the con-
diton of things there the American flag, no,
trailing in the dust, bot at half mast, and Ameri-
eau vessels and crews under the guard of armed
national chips Of Great Britain. The South had
no particular interest in this matter, yet they
stood united in the determi nation to maintain the
rights OF their northern brethren.
lie then referred to hs position Union Demo
crat, and to the stand taken by that party against
any disturbance Of the Compromise.
MIR. SHIELDS said that he would vote agains,
the resolution when it came up. He considered il
as presenting abstract question, and thought il
pity that the time Of the Senate should be now
taken up with the discussion OF it. He regretted
that the Senator had introduced it, But the ques-
ton now was, shall the Senator be heard. He was
Tor hearing him; he had heard many Senators
speak on various subjects without objection; he
had even heard treason proclaimed He would
bear any Senator on any subject he might feel il
To be his duty to introduce. While he would vote
against any bill to repeal to amend the Fugitive
Slave law, except to amend by making it's provi.
sious stronger and more effectual, he still dis