Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-12-18
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

In tina House, yesterday, after we went to
press, the first ballot of the day-the sixty
secOnd-was concluded, with the following re-
suit
Whole number Of votes cast, 223; necessary
to a choice, 1I2:
Mr.. Richardson received 70, Banks 100, Full
Ter of Pa 81, Scattering
There being no choice, the House proceeded
to sixty.third vote, with the following re-
suit:
Whole number of votes cast, 1923; necessary
to choice, liz.
Mr.. Richardson received %, Banks IO5,
Fuller, of Pa, 80, Scattering
No choice having been Effected
Mr.. Broom offered the following preamble
and resolution:
whereas IL Is obvious that the organization
OF this House has been, and still is DELAYED
and rendered impracticable by reason of dis
cordsnt views and opinions entertained and
adhered to by the people and their represent
atiVes concerning the subjec! of involuntary
servitude in the Territories of the United
States:
And whereas it is highly desirable that the
people OF this nation should enjoy, so far as
practicable, perfect tranquility, and be Sc
cure against the further agitation of questions
which have hitherto baffled and defied the
spirit of compromise, and which constantly
tend to ALLEVIATE one portion Of our beloved
country from the rest, and to enfeeble the sa-
cred ties which now link together the various
parts :" therefore
ReSoired, That the House of Representa-
tiyes, by and with the advice and consent of
the Senate and President of the United States,
do hereby submit to the justices of the Su-
preme Cour. Of the United States, as the SUI
preme judicial tribunal and expounders of
constitutional law, for their adjudication and
decision, which shall be final and conclusive
thereon, the following questions, viz:
L. Has the federal government, under the
powers enumerated and delegated in and by
the constitution of the United States, or other
wise, any power or authority whatever, either
to provide for or to prohibit involuntary SER
Vltude or in any manner to legislate upon the
subject of such involuntary servitute, in the
Territories of the United States
z. Has the federal government, after having
exercised a delegated power in the erection of a
Territory, and provided government there
Ter, the power or authority to repeal or abro-
& ate the same?
3. Has the federal government any power
or authority whatever to establish any line,
such as that commonly known as the ," Mis-,
souri, Compromise line, which shall designate
the limits of involuntary servitude in and
among the States?
This proposition was received with shouts
of laughter, and after a short debate on it
between the mover and Messrs. H. Marshall,
and Smith of Tennessee, it was withdrawn
The hfty-fourth ballot for Speaker was then
taken with the following result:
Whole number of votes cast, 223; necessary
to a choice, 112.
Mr.. Richardson received 73, Banks LOG,
Fuller of Pa. SO, ssattering6.
SO there was 10 choice
Mr.. ThoringtOn submitted the resolution es-
tabiishing the plurality rule which he offered
some few days ago. He said that ho thought
1t was the only means by which the House
could effect an organization, and asked for
1t the serious consideration Of the members,
advising an adjournment for that purpose
and then they adjourned.