The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-06-26
Monday, June %, 1856.
SENATE


SENATE
Mr.. Fish desired to send a letter to the Clerk
to have read, from a gentleman who had con-
ceived himself injured by the inference drawn
from letter read in the Senate from DIR. Boyle.
All that Mr.. Fish desired was to have the letter
read.
The letter was read. 1t was from Mr. George
Sumner, brother of Senator Summer, to Mr..
Fish, which stated, in effect, that an inference
prejudicial to his character might be drawn
from the statement of DIR. Boyle viz: that he
(Boyle) had been dismissed as medical attend
ant, in consequence Of the testimony given be-
fore the Committee Of Investigation in the
House of Representatives. The reason why
DR.. Boyle's services were dispensed with was
because DR.. Perry, a personal friend of Sena-
tor Sumner, was in the city, and had consented to
remain and take charge of the case aud at the
time DR.. Boy!e's services were dispensed with,
he (Mr. G. Sumner) was utterly ignorant of the
testimony given before the committee.
Mr.. Toombs gave notice that tomorrow he
would introduce bill to take census of the
inhabitants of Kansas Territory, TO secure the
integrity of the ballot-box therein, and to au-
thorize the white male inhabitants over twenty
one years old, now residing therein, to elect
Convention and form State Constitution, for
admission into the Union.
Mr.. Toombs said, in introducing the bill Of
which he had given notice, he was actuated by
a desire to bring forward some measure which
could reasonably look to final adjustment of
all the difficulties in that Territory. 1t seemed
to him that the first step necessary to effect
such purpose would be to have an enumera
ton of all the present inhabitants, which would
take away all motive for either section of the
Union to attempt to force people into Kansas
endangering thereby the settlers of the coun-
try, to promote sectional advantages, by making
institutions for the settlers of the country. He
desired to see the purity of the ballot-box pro-
tected, and his bill would provide for the APP
pointment of five commissioners, by the Presi-
dent of the United States, who shall cause the
enumeration to be made, first for the purpose
of having a proper distribution of the repre-
sentation, so as to allow a fair and equitable
proportion to a population very unequally dis
tributed and, second, to have a registry of all
real bona fde inhabitants of the Territory.
The bill allows all white male inhabitants of
twenty-one years Of age to be registered as legal
voters, and the Territory to be admitted into
the Union without any further delay. AS soon
as the number of the bona tide inhabitants is
ascertained they are to proceed at once to the
election of delegates to form Constitution and
State Government. He would propose that the
election take place on the first Tuesday of No
vember next, which would allow four months
residence to the inhabitants, besides being a
day when the people Of the different States of
the Union would be so thoroughly engaged in
the Presidential election, that they would have
no opportunity, even if they had the desire, to
interfere in the Territorial election. He could
conceive of but one objection to this proposition,
and even that he thought was founded more on
expediency than principle; that was solely on
account of the small number of inhabitants
there, an objection which had been waived by
portion of the Senate as well as by large mum,
bers of the people of the country. lie would
offer it, in the hope that it might prove of some
effect in restoring tranquility to thatunfortunate
Territory.
The Senate then proceeded to the special
order, being the bill for the admission of Kan
sas into the Union as soon as she should have
population sufficient to entite her to one
Representative in Congress-.
Mr.. Evans, who was entitled to the floor, ad-
dressed the Senate about two hours, in reply to
the positions of the Massachusetts Senator's
MIR. Hunter obtained the floor, and moved
that the further consideration of the subject be
postponed until tomorrow; which was agreed
TO.
The Senate then held an Executive session,
and, after some time spent therein, adjourned.
HOUSE.
This week having been set apart for the con-
sideration of Territorial business
The Speaker proceeded to call committees
for reports relating thereto.
Several road bills were reported: also, one
for the construction of a penitentiary in Ne
braska. A bill for the survey of the southern
boundary of Kansas was passed. bill was
also considered, creating two new land districts
in the Territory of Minnesota. The House, in
Committee of the Whole, discussed at some
length the bill for the admission of the Terri
tory of Oregon as a State. The discussion
turned principally on the question Of popula-
ton, opposition being made on the ground that
the number was not sufficient. In reply to this |
the examples of Florida, Michigan, Illinois, and
other States, were cited. No vote was taken |
in the Committee.