Daily American organ., 1856-04-08
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TUESDAY, April 8, 1856.

Prayer by Rev. Mr.. Waldo.
Mr. PHELPS asked unanimous consent to intro
duce a resolution calling on the Secretary Of the
Interior to communicate to the House the reasons
for the sessions of the United States Courts being
protracted beyond the time necessary for the trans
action of business Granted.
Mr. E. b. WASHBURN introduced bill for
the Improvement Of the Tennessee river.
The House went into Committee Of the Whole,
Mr. STANTON in the Chair, on the Deficiency bill.
Mr.. ZOLLICOFFER addressed the Committee
in reply to Mr.. SMITH, of Tennessee.
He remarked that Mr.. S. had magnfed the i'm
portance of his Mr.. ZoLLIcoFFERs position and in
auence. His speech had not been printed, and he
must therefore rely upon his memory in his reply.
His colleague had charged him with saying that
the American platform was Objectionable on ac-
count OF its verbiage.
He did say that the 18th section of the June
platform was Objectionable on this account. That
section embodied principle in which he agreed
but he thought it's language required correction,
and he had drawn pencil mark through those
words which he objected to, on the occasion re-
ferred to.
He regarded the 7th section Of the February
platform equally conservative and national with
the 18th section of the June platform
Mr.. SMITH, Of Tennessee. Why then did the
convention strike out the 18th sectiong
Mr.. ZOLLICOFFER. 1t may be because it was
assailed by the Washington Union and other organs
of the Democratic party.
He had voted against striking out the old plat
form, but he voted In a minority. The new plat
form was adopted, and he acquiesced
He occupied similar position on the Nebraska
bill. II was not in every respect in accordance
with his views when it came back from the Senate,
but he voted for it as the best bill he could get
Mr.. G. w. JONES. It is claimed in Tennessee,
by the Americans, that the 18th section admitted
the right Of the people Of the Territories to estab-
lish slavery if they deemed proper He asked Mr..
2. if be 50 regarded it.
Mr.. ZOLLICOFFER. have just explained my
views on that section
My colleague Mr. SMrrHl objected to my posi-
ton, because the word slavery was not found in
the American platform, and argued from this that
ignored the subject altogether.
Mr.. q. then read from his speech during the
present session, definition OF his position on the
slavery question, and contended that Southern
Democrats virtually admitted the constitutionality
OF the Wilmot Proviso. He alluded to Mr. Bu-
chanana recent letter as of the same tenor.
he, on the other hand, regarded it as a fatal
error to promulgate such doctrine in regard to the
power Of the Federal Government. He regarded
the slavery question as expressly reserved to the
States.
advocating the plurality rule in the election oi
Speaker The adoption of that rule had secured
the election of the present Speaker. Did his col
league feel proud of this result?
The probable effect of the adoption of that rule
was universally conceded beforehand. 1t was pre-.
dicted by Democrats in this House that it would
elect Republican Speaker. The Americans had
sought to prevent this, and made every effort tc
secure the votes Of Democratic members for an
American candidate, first, and then for an old
Wing. But in vain. Their efforts were Intellectual
Hero our report closed.