The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-03-13
Wednesday, March 5, 1856.

sblcd seamen.
Wednesday, March 5, 1856.
SENATE
II. Crittenden presented resolutions of the
legislature of Kentucky, insisting upon the
fntv of the United States, in all future treaties
Tr;,b foreign countries, to see that the great
s,onle of tobacco is placed on an equal footing
1r;,b the other agricultural interests OF our
common country.
NJ Hunter. from the Committee on Finance,
renorted bill making appropriations for forti-
fcaiions, &c
On motion by Mr.. Brown,
PssoIrsd, That the Commissioner OF Public
Buildings be instructed to inquire and report
- ,be Senate at what price the lots belonging
- nrirate individuals within the following linn
- can be purchased viz: commencing at the
-cr,b ,ate of the Capitol and following Della
yars avenue to It's intersection with street
IT. thence along street to Third street
oo-,b . along Third street to its intersection
With /; street south; along said street to New
Jersey avenue, and along said avenue to the
s,n,b rate of the Capitol. And that in each
,..a where he may think the sum asked is ex-
,,ss;va he shall note the amount of such eX-
cess in his report.
NJ Cr;ttendeus resolution, affirming the
r;b+ of Mr. Trumbull to his seat, came up.
A,oooo those who signalized themselves by op-
,,os;t;ou f. II. were Messrs. Pugh of Ohio, and
Stuart OF Michigan, who took the ground that
the States have right to prescribe qualihca-
,inns for the United States Senatorship, in ad-
dit;1u 10 those determined by the Federal Con-
s.iption. The opinion Of the Senate general
~ vas adverse to this view; and on the ques-
ton. Snail the resolution pass? it was decided
IN the affirmative, as follows:
lrAs-Messrs. Adams, Allen, Bell, Bright,
Br5sn. Butler, Cass, Collamer, Crittenden,
Dgl5e. Durkee. Evans, Fessenden, Fish, Foot,
Foster. Geyer, Hale, Hamlin, Harlan, Houston,
Hunter. James, Mallory, Mason, Pearce, Reid,
Glk. Sebastian, Seward, Sumner, Toucey,
Wade. Wilson, and Yulee-35.
NAYs-Messrs. Clay, Iverson, Johnson, Jones
Of iowa Pugh, Slidell, Stuart, and Weller-8.
The Senate then proceeded to the considera-
ton Of the special order, being the motion to
rrint 10000 extra copies of the message of
NE President of the United States and accom-
oanying documents, in answer to a call for in
i.rnlqton in relation to the disturbances in
Kansas.
NJ. Butler rose and addressed the Senate at
iealth, with all that earnestness and zeal which
81 s-e-eminently characterize him, defending
=
.nputaiioas cast upon him in the course of the
debate, and contending that this distinguished
citizen Of Missouri, 80 far from promoting vio-
lence had done all in his power to allay angry
dscord, and prevent bloodshed.
Aiscassion Of a personal character sprung
mp. led of by Mr.. Toucey, of Connecticut, who
beng understood, in the course of his remarks,
20 east imputations on the Republican Sena-
tors. uas answered in severe terms by Messrs.
Hale. Wilson, and Seward. Mr.. Toucey, re.
iJnipc, dsclaimed all intention of wounding the
feelings Of any Senator.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Hickman. of Pennsylvania, from the
same committee to which had been recommit-
ed the resolution, reported therefrom, asking
authority TO send for persons and papers in the
Kansas contested election case, together with
ihe substitute offered therefor by Mr. Dunn, OF
Indiana l}r the appointment of a commission
90 proceed to that Territory, for the purpose OF
taking dispositions in the premises, with instruc-
lions to report the reasons upon which such
authority Is astei by the committee, submitted
report thereon; which was read.
The report IS exceedingly voluminOus. 1t
commences BY representing that the allegation
the part Of Governor Reeder is, that the
Legislature which passed the election law under
the provisions Of which General Whitfield was
chosen, WAS imposed upon the people of the
Territory by fureign invading force, who seized
upon the Government, and have exercised it
ever since, and that the people there are in a
sghiu,ated state. 1t then discusses at length
the oIl0Wing questions:
J. The necessity of having an investigation
d the iacts in dispute.
.. he effect of the act of Governor Reeder
"a issuing certificates of election to portion of
The Legislature
.. Whether the evidence to establish the facts
can be had satisfactorily by DISPOSITIONS.
tpoa the first point IL is urged that the state
o; affairs there has excited the feelings of the
fhole people OF the Union; that it is the theme
81 Residential message and proclamation; and
That the sovereign States in the different por-
len' OF the mon have considered the pro-
Ire'y Of an Interference by men and arms; that
'-r question to be settled is. whether "A military
logtr Las seized upon the Territory, and gov
efts It by = strong hand that this question in
"N'S the existence of selfgovernment; and
'aat It cannot be settled by cropping among as
''rions and denials, but only by facts proven.
iNon ;he second point it contends that the
ifope o lie Territory cannot be prejudiced
" shs' GsyernOr Reeder did as Governor; that
NE people are now contesting the seat through
lam; ard that even if this were not so, still
congress could and should investigate II, if a
-a')Aah.e doubt exists as to the right of Mr.
"ltleid 70 2 seat.
por the third point it argues that commits
N0H To take dispositions would be fruitless; thai
'-r PRESIDENT regards the presence of the army
-7'' IS necessary to preserve peace, and the
5',taaoa OF the commission would bring the
thgeTent parties face to face, and incite tC
N.'-iIiles; that it would be equivalent to an
-oH 10 obtain testimony on a battlefield, and
'l4t commissioners would be powerless to pre-
serve peace
III the course Of the argument, the committee
.'-ie to the fact that ordinarily in despotisms
'IeF subjects enjoy some degree of peace and
gS's' while IN Kansas the settlers are not only
@leged to be reduced to state of vassalage tC
1e'esn power, but that personal safety is I'M
a1o'h aud murder and outrage are said to be
The rypd aa''T Is rs sgnadP 81 Us history
5Ai9e, Watson Of Ohio, Spinner of New
Ia ia Hickman of Pennsylvania, Colfax O
mana and Bingham of Ohio, and conclude.
- yso.minendlng the adoption of the following
,t,'''eea, That the Committee of Elections
r. ~ contested election case from the Territory
ssrG 9~ G' be and are hereby empowered t
Nm NM Tor persons and papers, and to examin,
Kisses upon oath or affirmation.
.v Al stephens, of Georgia, submitted repor
Pressing the views of the minority of the
'T II 1'ee; which he read to the House.
ans ms report IS also very voluminous. 1t main
es.;@, ula' Mr. Feeders sole object in his appli
= rI seems to be to devolve on the Commute,
M eT'iohs and on the House the inquiry int
n. I,Sr1ic.i'y OF the Territorial law under which
5a y h'neld was elected; and this hinges OF
.,x ouhd that the members who passed tina
,.,,,n els not themselves properly elected anC
-.Ieo. IL is TO establish this that Mr. Reed
Spr i !, 70 send for persons and papers, ma
tss;o ,re House not only the judge of the quail
- 'oeS and returns of its own members bn