Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-12-28

IN SENATE.
Tbs Senate met and adjourned over TIL
Thursday
HOUSE.
lhe discussion and personal explanations in
reference to tho Speakcrship were continued
Mr.. Lester, OF OHIO, having received from
time to time two votes for speaker, stated
distinctly that he had never been candidate
for the Office, and never would be. He stated
this, lest it might he suspected that there was
something wrong in his position. lie had. he
said, as regularly and consistently voted for
Mr. Banks, az any other man in the House
Mr.. Stewart of Md, in explaining til, rcn-
IONS why he had been voting Tor Mr. Richard
son, said that his (Mr r s. position, Il. well
as Mr. Fuller g. had been explained distinct
ively and explicitly, but Mr. Banks had not
He inquired of Mr., b whether lie had ever
sad, in speech in Maine, "Let the Cnion
slide
Mr. Banks replied that in that speech lie
said there might be such STATE OF things in
which be would consent to such proposition
lie mad reference to future contingencies, such
az the prostration Of the gigantic power oi
the Government to the support OF a single
institution-Slavery. He was for the Union
as it is, and would meet it, enemies in fair
field He was for the Union as guaranty
OF the rights OF the States, and the main prop
OF our Government. lie would have the MON
stand on the records Of history-in the Ian
guage OF Washington, crowned with immor-
tai fame -
Mr.. Smith OF Val am not satisfied with
the answer of the gentleman. Did YOU say
under certain circumstances YOU would
let the Union slide ~
Mr. Bank have said all desira to say.
Mr., Smith Of Val wish it to be distinctly
"a .l,,a 10 -
are voting for him with a knowledge that in
a certain contingency, he " would let the
Union slide. ~
Mr.. Grow OF Penn, said ask the gen
tleman and every member who has been here
Tor the last four years, whether such declt-
ration has not been repeated from time to
time by some of those who are now voting 10,
Mr. Richardson, namely, that they are wi
ling TO dissolve the Union and let il slide in
certain contingency We stand here 10 sup.
port the compromise Of the constitution az it
is explained by the fathers of the republic
and contemporaneous reports for over sixty
years We say we are not willing to take
any other construction, or to consent that
slavery shall 90 wherever our flag floats
Mr., Rust, of Arkansas, said he believed
from the beginning, that all debate was cut
Of order, as the first business before the House
was the election OF Speaker.
Mr. Stewart-submitted proposition de-
claratory of the national principles ON which
the Speaker of the House should stand
Mr., Coliax of lND., stated that if Mr.
Stewart would accept asa substitute propus.
ition for the ann exation Of Cuba and appropri-
ating by annexation that part of Oregon sur
rendered TO Great Britain by Mr.. Polk, he
might vote with that gentleman. Daughter
Mr.. Bocock Of Va, raised question ui
order, saving that law required that Speak
or be elected and members be sworn in before
the transaction Of other business
Mr., Boyce, Of ). &. among other questions,
asked MIR. Banks, as follows Are you in
favor Of recognizing Hayti and receiving
black minister,
Dou you favor the abrogation Of the Fu.i-
tive Slave law, and the abolition OF slavery in
the District Of Columbia "
Cries from the friends of Mr.. Banks, call
the roll" (Coniusion)
Mr.. Banks replied to Mr.. Boyoe aud said
he distinctly recollected Mr. Richardson,
being candidate for Speaker, declining to
give answer to questions propOunded to him,
daughter, cries Of good, good, call the roll,
&c,)
Mr.. Florence, OF Pa. here made an neffect-
ual attempt to have the House ad iourn until
Thursday, for the purpose, as he said that
the members might participate in the rei-
glous and social O6seryances of Christmas.
fLaughter.l