The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-01-16

Debate IN the House ON Mr.. Zullicof
fer's ResoIMtkOn.
T.

Q r ~
Golfer, commanding the marked attention of
the members and crowded gallery. He
said in voting for the kaneas Nebraska Bill
ne intended that the people of the Territory
should decide the question of slavery for
themselves, and he was in favor Of admitting
them with or without slavery. He had said
that slavery would not go there, but never
urged that as reason why he voted for the
bill as to the constitutionality of the Wilmot
Proviso, he voted for the principle as appli-
cable to our Mexican acquisitions in spirit
of compromise, and he thought it would be
unjust to incorporate the proviso in terrific
rial bill. In his judgment the constitution
does not carry slavery into the territories,
but protects both sections Of the country
| alike.
| Much squabbling ensued RS to the order Of
proceedings.
1t was finally decided that all the candidates
should answer Mr.. Zollicoffer's queries be-
fore others were propounded.
Mr.. Banks was called out and members
drew up their chairs around him.
Mr.. Banks said he did not feel that he was
obliged to answer questions. He had not So
licited support; his friends, as Othello said
Of his wife, had eyes and chose him. He dis
tinctly remarked that he did not regard the
Kansas bill as promotiye of the formation of
free States. He believed in the constitution
atty of the Wilmot proviso, and did not be-
heve the constitution carried slavery into the
Territories. He recognized the right TO pro-
tect property north and south alike, but not
property in man. He believed the constitu-
ton to be an instrument of freedom, and that
congress was wrong in repeating the Nilsson
ri Compromise. applause from the Repub-
licans.
There were now cries for Mr. Fuller
Mr.. Fuller rose and said that he was ready
at any time to retire from this protracted con-
test. He did not regard the Kansas bill as
promotive of the formation of either free or
slave States. He never advocated the con-
sttutionality of the Wilmot proviso. Slave
nv exists independent of the constitution to
legislate slavery in or out Of the territories
1t only had the right to legislate so far as to
protect citizens in the enjoyment Of their
property.
Mr.. Pennington was then loudly called for.
He said he had no idea that so obscure and
unpromising candidate as himself would be
required to define his position. He was out
side Of the triangle. (Laughter.) He must
respectfully decline TO make reply, but he
would do so when the House seriously in
tended to use his name in connection with the
speakership. 1t was of no consequence what
the individual opinions of the presiding Off
cerswere.
Impatient cries from all quarters, "call
the roll, vote, etc.
Mr. Barksdale asked Mr. Banks Are you
now member of the Know Nothing party
Are YOU in fay or of the abolition Of slavery in
the District of Columbian Do you wish to
promote the equality of the black and white
races by legislation? Are you in favor Of
the entire exclusion of naturalized citizens
and catholics from Office? You were in ia
vor of modification of the tariff at the last
Senate; are you so now?
Mr.. Kenneth should like to know wheth-
er either of the candidates believe in a future
state, and if SO, whether in a free or slave
state. Excessive laughter.)
Mr.. Barksdale, advancing toward Mr.. Ken
nett, exctedly-Do you intend to cast re-
Fiction on me? hurlit back with scorn and
contempt.
Deafening calls to order ensued upon this
and nearly all Of the members were on their
feet.
A motion was made TO adjourn, but was un-
successful.
Mr.. kennett--No difficulty in or out of the
hall shall intimidate me. | say to the House
my suggestion was merely jocuar.
Mr.. B.--l treat it with contempt, sir.
Order was restored, when
Mr.. Richardson answered negatively to
Mr.. Barksdale's queries, with the exception
Of the last.
nj. Banks, in answering Mr.. Barksdale's IN
terrogations, preferred doing SO in his own
way, leaving the gentlemen to draw inferen-
ces lie was nominated by the Democrats
and Americans. He referred to the record
of last year for his views on the tariff He
had adopted the maxim Of Junius: s'It's un-
fortunate for man to spend any consdera-
bic portion of his time commenting on his
own work" Laughter He believed in the
language Of the Declaration of Indepen-
dence, that all men were created equal. He
adopted the idea that the weaker race would
be absorbed by the stronger. As to the other
questions propounded, they are subordinate
to prohibiting slavery in Kansas, and he
would not ask any man what he thought of
this or that measure, but would unite with all
to lnterdict slavery in the territories.
| MIR. Fuller announced that he was not in
favor of restoring the Missouri Compromise.
He was opposed to the abolition Of slavery
in the District Of Columbia. He thought
with Washington that it was the best policy
OF the government to appoint native born
citizens to Office. To prescribe no man for
his religion. He did not desire to exclude
foreigners coming here, but would invite
them. But in all matters pertaining to leg
lslation, Americans should rule America.
Mr.. Richardson answered various questions
propounded by Mr.. Clingman.
Each party seemed to be entirely satisfied
with the responses of its candidates, as is
shown by the following vote
| l05th Ballot-Banks "a, Richardson GO.
Fuller "a, Pennington 7, scattering 4. Nee
essary for choice l04
| Mr.. Sneid offered resolution that Mr..
Orr be requested to take the chair till
| Speaker be elected Laid on the table by
one majority The House at O'Clock was
still in session.
| HousE.-Jan. IA debate ensued in