The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-02-09
CONGRESS-.
rHrRrY-rHrRD coNcRrss-r1Rsr SESSION

CONGRESS.
THTRrY-THIRD coNGREss-FIRsT SESSION.
Senate, Tueday Jan. 81, 1854
On motion by Mr.. Adams the Senate pro-
decided to consider the bill increasing the sala-
RES OF the clerks in the Executive Offices, from
nine, twelve, and fourteen hundred dollars to
twelve, fourteen, and sixteen hundred dollars,
according to their respective classes and after
amending the same, it was passed.
MIR. Badger, from the Committee on Finance,
reported back the bill granting credit en- the
duties upon railroad iron, with an amendment.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration
OF the bill to establish Territorial Govern
ment for Nebraska.
MIR. Chase said that, so far as his personal
convenience was considered. he would prefer
to have the bill postponed On yesterday the
Senator from Illinois had referred to certain
historical facts and documents which he (Mr.
C) had not had an opportunity to examine.
His engagements in the Supreme Court would
prevent his attendance in tho Senate to-mor-
row. If he were to proceed to day, it would be
with a disadvantage. He, however, would be
subject to such course as the Senate might de-
termine.
Mr.. Douglas said the bill was postponed last
week for the convenience of Senators. 1t was
now said the Senator from Ohio had not had
time to examine the historical facts. The SEN
ator ought to have done so before he published
his historical address. If the bill were post
poned now, other Senators would ask the same.
He did not feel at liberty to extend courtesy to
those whom he could only regard as enemies
of the bill.
Mr.. Chase. expect no courtesy from the
Senator, and ask for none from him. | DO
not believe him capable of understanding what
are the obligations of courtesy. He desired to
sustain the history he had given of this subject
in the address The Senator on yesterday had
introduced new facts, and had given new YER
sion to the history He desired time to exam
inc these new facts, and the authorities of the
Senator. If he proceeded to-day, it would be
under great disadvantages,
Mr.. Douglas. The Senator asserts that [
am unable to understand the obligations of
courtesy. am incapable of understanding that
rule of courtesy which justifes one Senator in
writing libel upon brother Senator, and
then come to him with 81 smile on his face
seeking courtesy in order that time might be
given him to circulate his libel before it could
be exposed.
The Chair called the Senator to order
Mr.. Douglas asked if the Chair ought not to
have called the Senator from Ohio to order.
The Chair said the Senator from Ohio was
certainly out OF OrUer.
Mr.. Cass said the Senator from Ohio was in
peculiar position. The Senator of Illinois
had made an elaborate argument, and had
gone over a very extended ground. 1t could
not be expected that the Senator from Ohio
could with justice to himself reply, without
time for examination. He hoped the time
asked would be granted. He thought no dan
ger could be apprehendod from agitation.
MIR. Weller urged a postponement for one
day.
Mr.. Chase explained that he could not 60 on
before Friday.
Mr.. Weller then opposed any postponement
beyond Thursday, and moved to postpone it
till that day.
Mr.. Foot then moved to postpone till Mon
day, and, after long discussion, in which Mr..
Gwin called the attention of the Senate to the
singular and extraordinary fact that no one
Senator was disposed to make speech on any
subject
Mr.. Foot modified his motion to postpone
the subject till Friday; and it was, after further
discussion, agreed to.
House of Representatives., jan 81, 1854.
| Mr.. Richardson, of the Committee on Terri
tories, presented bill to organize the Terrific
ries Of Nebraska and KaBzas
MIR. English, of Indiana, stated, that all
the members Of the committee did not ap-
prove of this bill He objected to it because it
conhicted with the Compromise Of 1920, and
because its boundaries are not, in his opinion,
correct. He described briefly the topography
of the country. He said the bill contemplated
an encroachment upon Utah.
Mr.. Richardson interrupted, and said he had
not yielded the floor to enable the gentleman
to make a speech.
Mr. English said he merely wished to explain
| his pocitiop The cku ,rara n
natural boundary, and no Territory should be
extended beyond them
Mr.. f. also said that he regarded Slavery
as an evil, and an injury to the State in which
it exists. He would not interfere with Slavery
in any State. He would leave the question to
the people; and he objected to the bill because
it was not definite on this point. He wished
this option to be given them.
MIR. Richardson said he wished the bill to
90 to the Committee of the Whole and to be
there perfected. He, however, entered upon a
defence of the boundaries prescribed in the
bill. He said that every man in the portion of
Utah now to be embraced in Nebraska desired
to be included in the new Territory. Their
will should be regarded. He held to the right
of people to choose their own Government
Mr. English had intimated his disapproval
of the Mormon people and their laws.
Mr.. Richardson heartily disapproved of them.
Their institutions We're bad He denied that
there was antagonism of feeling or interest
among the people east and west of the noun
| tains
MIR. Davis, of Indiana, called for the read
ing Of the bill
Mr.. Phillips said he knew Mr. Richardson
had not contemplated y speech at this time,
and hoped MIR. Richardson would at once move
its being referred to the Committee of the
| Whole, and be printed.
| Mr. Richardson did 30 but several gentle
men moved to present amendments and sub
stitutes, and great confusion prevailed.
The previous question, on the motion to refer,
being called for, and urged by Mr.. Preston and
others, several points of order were raised BY
different gentlemen; when
| MIR Richardson said he would withdraw his
motion to REFER to permit gentlemen to pre-
sent amendments, if no debate was to arise
A dozen members here arose. and simulta-
neously addressed the Chair. The floor was
awarded to
Mr.. Richardson, who yielded it to Mr. Eng
| lish who presented certain amendments.
| MIR Dean offered the following proviso as an
amendment, viz:
Prouided, That nothing in this bill contain
| ed shall be construed to legalize OF establish
| Slavery or involuntary servitude within said
Territories, or either of them.
MIR Egerton gave notice that he would offer,
as an amendment, the bill of the last session.
The previous question was renewed, and the
bill was committed.
Mr. English asked permission to present
minority report, and that it be printed.
Objection was made by MIR, Bridges, who
withdrew it, when Mr.. Seward renewed it; but