Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-07-19
Congressional S(t(us.
TIIiRTY.FOURTH CONGRESS.
First Session.

WASHINGTON, July ii.
SESArE--The Senate considered and pass !
ed several private bills.
The bill amendatory of the act to promote |
the efficiency of the Navy was taken up, and
dcsultOry discussion ensued on sundry |
amendments.
At o'clock an unsuccessful motion was
made to adjourn.
Mr.. Toombs obtained the floor, saying,
that as the Senate was anxious to discuss the
question now, he would proceed TO give his
views at large.
Mr. Hunter-Will the Senator yield the
floor for a motion to adjourn?
Mr.. Toombs.-No sir. The Senate has
Just refused to adjourn. | intend to speak
on the subject, and when the Senators get
tired of hearing me they can go home. j
hope, however, the reporters will keep their
seats, for my speech is intended for the coun
try as much as for the Senate. After | have
spoken for three or four hours the Senator
from Virginia can make his motion. Mr.
Toombs proceeded to give the history of the
rise and progress OF the Navy, going back to
| the foundation of the government.
| Very few Senators remained in their seats,
and there was much conversation going on III
audible tones.
The Speaker several times called the Sen
] "
talking does not disturb me in the least.
am glad to hear Senators discussing the sub
iect 1t ought to be discussed on this toor,
behind the bar, and all over the country"
! (Laughter.)
AT quarter past o'clock. Mr.. Crittendcn
obtained the floor, by leave of Mr.. Tcombs,
and moved that the Senate adjourn, which
was agreed to by two majority. Adjourned.
HousE.-Mr. Clugman asked that the
resolution Of the Senate fixing the day FOR an
adjournment be considered
Mr.. Dunn said he would object till the
! Kansas question was settled.
Mr.. Houston-Fix your own day.
Mr.. Letcher preferred that the House
sbonlJ 90 on with the trial of one Of its
members.
Mr. Clingman moved to suspend the rules
for the purpose of taking up the resolution.
Lost-yeas, 10; nays, 81, two-thirds being
requisite.
Mr. Campbell, of Ohio. asked that the
further consideration of the report of the
Committee on the Sumner assault might be
postponed till "Wednesday, for the reason
that the majority Of the Committee have had
developed TO them some facts affecting one
of the parties implicated, and they desired to
consider the proprety Of Offering an amend
ment to the pending resolution. 10 this
objection was made.
Mr.. Meacham moved the previous question,
which was agreed TO.
Mr.. EdmundSon, 10y general consent, made
a statement affecting himself
Mr.. Edmunson said he did not complain OF
the conclusions of the Committee as to the
effect of his testimony, but objected to the
grounds on which they proposed To censurc
him. While he had been Intercepted on all
points concerning his knowledge Of the affair,
was il not singular that the Committee did
not serve n notice on him to appear in his
own behalf? The Committee sought to cen
sure him because, having been informed ol
the contemplated assault, he did not take the
means to prevent it, or inform Senator Sum
ner Of his danger Now, he thought if any
one was in danger, it was Mr.. Brooks, who
Ind only walking stick, while the report had
gone out that Mr.. Sumner was armed. lie
would have degraded himself if he had re-
vealed what had been privately said to him
by Mr.. Brooks, aud the condemnation Of the
! House could produce no change in his mnd
on that point If he was to be punished fol
not turning traitor to friend, if degraded
for this. then he was ready for his sentence
lie had no idea of taking any pant in the oc
currence, unless some third party should
attempt foul play on either side. In thai
{ event he would have adopted the Kentucky
q and Virginia doctrine, ard insisted upon ia
, play. lie was there TO do justice or nothing
= This was the only ground on which lie was
invited to be there, nor would he have becI
there on any other terms. The committee
in their report, say that his conduct was rep
rchensible, This was an unjust word, anC
e wounded his sensibliteS. lie said, in re
q spouse to question by MIR. Dunn, that til,
first intimaton he had that the commtte,
u Il h., 4
S ent of Il newspaper, and further, he woulI
have saiisi' d the committee, had he had al
opportunity that he would have interfere,
: only in case Of foul play.
=, Mr.. Pennington said, so far as he was con
= cerned. he was anxious that Mr.. EdnundSUl
II should he heard before the committee, hut a
Il the gentleman had made no such request, Mr
a /. came to the conclusion that he had abun
. doncd the desire.
- Mr. Edmundson replied that il was TO-
late for him to avail himself Of that courtcs
after the character OF the report had bee
determined upon. As justice had been denie
n hun IN the FIRST place, he preferred appealing
= to the House.
e Mr. Orr desired to know whether Nj
c Summers testimony was, on the evening G
/. the same day it was taken, furnished to tn
o newspaper press by the authority or conn
t, vance of the committee.
:. Mr.. Campbell, of Ohio, gave this an unC
C quivocal and emphatic denial.
i Mr.. Cobb, of Georgia, corroborated thi
,e statement, saying that the testimony alude
=, to was not procured from any one connecte
II with the Committee.
d, Mr.. Campbell, of Ohio, said, Mr.. Orr ha
- made charge which involved his iutegni
Is as a member, namely, that the Committe
N had sought, by this report, to make poltica
G. capital.
Of Mr.. Orr then replied, that he did not im
al pugn the motives of the gentleman or hi
!e associates, but the report itself looked as
g they had gone into the investigation to max
G. Presidential capital, He stated expressl,
ID that no did not intend TO reflect PERSONAL
= on the gentleman.
Sc Mr.. Campbell expressed himself satisfied
- said tbat m, Ia int, Y,cr,,;,,r H. l.. n =,