The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-08-01
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
There being quorum present. call of the House
mad when l55 members having answered to their names
all further proceedings under the call dispensed with
The journal was then read.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION.
Mr.. HARRIS, of Maryland made a personal explana-
ton in relation to article which appeared in the
Baltimore American of this morning. charging him and
his colleagues with negligence aud inattenton bust
ness, IN not making effort to bring before the House
the bill for the improvement of the Patapsco river He
defended himself from this charge stating that he had
made extraordinary efforts to bring this bill to the atten
ton OF the House attempting every Monday 1.-THE only day
when it in erder TO bring it up for consideration
In conclusion he said that having been compelled the
face OF the House, TO defend himself from mputations
which under the circumstances unjust to him. and
had doubt been made in ignorance of bis efforts here
he hoped the House Monday neg: would interpose
objection TO having the matter ciied up. [Laughter
KANSAS CONTESTED ELECTION.
The House then redfned the consideration of the follow
ing resolutions heretofore reported from the Committee #
Elections;
Resoee9, That John W. Whitfield is not entitled to a seat
In this ouse delegate from the Territory of Kansas
Rsotved That Andrew Ii. Reeder be admitted a on
this floor delegate from the Territory of Kansas
Mr.. WASHBURN, of Maine said that he had given mo-
uCe that he would call the previous question at o'clock
to-day and in order TO do he would the example by
making very brief speech The question had already
been fully and deliberately discussed in all its material
points upon the assumptions and denias made by and
the other side Of the House. and he did not think great
deal Of discussion necessary He proceeded 10 state that
ny he testimony tagen ii had been proved that there has
been no legal election Of any delegate twas claimed
the part OF The majority of the Committee of Elections that
there lad been election, and that the territorial laws
We void for the that the people Of the Territory Of
Kansas had been deprived of the power make strictly
legal election Of a delegate by invasion from Missouri
which subyerod their territorial government and snnih
lated its legislative power There being election and
neither Of the gentleman named in the resolutions being
entitled 10 seat according TO law 1t then within the
power and right OF the people Of the Territory TO do the
best thing they couldto meet in their primary assemblies
TO select their organ agent and send him here. 1t
had been proved the satisfaction of majority OF the
committee that the the choice of the people
Of Kansas and they believed that it the right OF that
people organ upon the floor of the House In
this case had been legally elected the House
ought to receive the one who was the choice OF majority
of the citizens
Mr. SMITH, Of Tennessee inquired of the gentleman why
il was that majority Of the committee, having in all
their former reports In contesedeecon reported
that the contestant entitled seat" had in THE
particular reported that the be admitted
oa seat2 He desired to know whether the action Of the
House OF 10 be based upon legal right
might
Mr.WAsHBURN, Of Maine replied that in the former
cases 10 which the gentleman alluded majority of the
Committee Of Elections bad TO the conclusion tina,
the legally elected and chosen under the
provisions OF The subssting laws and by majority Of
legal voters and therefore legally entitled
the floor Of the House. but in this neither
legally elected The committee in their report had fol-
lowed the Preceden set in the Wisconsin, and Minnesota
cases. where Il being conceded that the persons claiming
90 represent those Territories not legally entitled TO
tcats the floor, yet II deemed competent for the
LOnSu ~ Representatives to receive them delegates
Mr. STEPHENS, Of Georgia took Issue with the gentle
from Maine holding that where there legally
organized territorial government there must be per-
son under that law legally entitled In the to which
the gentleman referred there territorial govern
meus organized bat in the Territory of Kansas provision
by law had been made for representative delegate upon
the floor Of the House under the law. Hence IL majority
of the Committee Of Elections had the conclusion
that Mr. Recder not legally elected the House could
not admit him without violating all precedent and law
Mr.. 8 said that If he consult his feelings
to-day and his physical abilities he would ask the
tention Of the House ii he to consult the empera
ure OF the day the swelterDg heat he should be silent
if he to consult what he bound to believe rela
tive 10 the tone and temper Of the House from vote
taken few days ago, he should despair OF any effort
he could make. He saw majority on the floor of the
House. two days ago, vote in order TO reach purpose
similar to that before the House. 10 confer the most
ample power the President Of tho United States-to
make him the sole dictator OF Kansas his viii omnp-
oeu and give him more power than Caesar bad before
he crossed the Rubioon. He would confer such power
on any living man. He had this House vote that
The President should be authorized disarm the pres
mt organized militia Of that Territory.