The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-03-20
Thursday, March IL, 1856.
SENATE.

the House adjourned.
Thursday, March IL, 1856.
SENATE.
Mr.. Seward presented the resolutions of the
Legislature of New York, in favor Of q modifi-
cation of the laws granting pensions and bounty
land to Revolutionary soldiers.
Mr.. Bigler's resolution to purchase copies of
DIR. kane's narrative OF his Arctic expedition
was discussed.
Mr.. Hunter presented the Joint resolutions of
the Legislature of Virginia, in favor of the pas
sage of law TO provide an opportunity for those
officers who have been retired or dismissed in
consequence of the recommendation of the late
Naval Retiring Board to vindcate their tar
nished honor.
The resolution in regard to the purchase of
DIR. kane's work was postponed without taking
d vote.
The three million bill was then taken Nd and
Mr.. Brown resumed and concluded his remarks
on the enlistment question, justifyipg the
course of the Administration on this question,
and on that with reference to the CLAYTON Bull
wee treaty.
MIR. Mallory agreed with the views expressed
by the Senator from Mississippi. He did not
believe there would be any wsr-there ought TO
he none. But if war should arise, there woud
be no limit n oar resources. He referred to the
action of Spain in 1913, when the English Min
lister was ordered to quit the capital within AZ
hours, or sooner If possible. There could be no
improperly liz pursuing similar course now,
under our present circumstances.
Mr.. Fessenden here obtained the floor, aud
the subject was postponed until two o'clock TO.
morrow.
The Senate then proceeded to consider the
bill to amend the act establishing the Court of
Claims. The bill authorizes two of the Judges
10 hold Court n quorum, and provides for the
appointment of assistant solicitor, and
clerk for the solicitor. After some debate it was
passed, and the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE,
The House met at u o'clock. After prayer
by the Rev. Daniel Waldo, Chaplain to the
House, the Journal of yesterday was read.
The House resumed the consideration of the
resolution empowering the Committee of Elec-
tons, in the contested election case from the
Territory of Kansas, to send for persons and
papers, and to examine witnesses upon oath or
affirmation.
Mr.. Purviance, of Pennsylvania, replied to
the arguments which had been made against
the adoption of the resolution, contending that,
according to the history of all jurisprudence, |
the House had The right to go behind the record |
TO ascertain if the party who had received tina |
Mr. TayeJF: 81 T. E "oG argued that the
csse before them in no proper sense presented |
an election contest, as no individual who was !
a candidate or a legal voter at the election at |
which MIR. Whitfield was returned as a Delegate |
from Kansas had come forward to contest his |
right to q seat in the House.
Mr.. Todd, of Pennsylvania, asserted the
power of the House to inquire into and pass
upon the legality of the Kansas Legislature,
and the statute under which the sitting Dele
ola al ..b a, hoe al l.
ion, a case had arisen such would justify the
inquiry proposed; for it showed that stab
had been struck at the vi.als Of the Govern
ment; that in Kansas the bowie-knife and re-
volver had been substituted for the ballot box
and that rufiianism had been inaugurated in
place of law and order.
Mr.. Washburn, of Maine, notified the House
that on tomorrow he should endeavor to obtain
direct vote upon the resolution under consid-
Grafton.
Mr.. Harris, Of Illinois, desired to know why
the attention of the Committee of Elections
had not been directed to the right asserted by
Governor Reeder to the seat now held by Gen.
Whitfield? That was the question they were
called upon to decide; and yet, knowing that
Governor Reeder was the basest pretender that
had ever raped at the door of the House, they
had lodged that question, and presented an
other, with the view of creating excitement in
the country lie was opposed TO the resolu-
ton, because he had no earthly confidence in
the committee which proposed to make this in
vestigation. The committee were combined
for the very purpose of affecting the popular
mind of the country, of carrying the black flag
of Abolitionism over the land, and of exciting
The public mind on the question of Slavery.
Mr.. Letcher, of Virginia, denied that Govern
or Reeder had any right whatever to the seat
claimed by him; and, in conclusion, referred
to the state of the parties which now divide the
country. Ii the Republican party should ever
have the power TO undertake to carry out the
principles they proiessed-to repeal the Fugi-
tive Slave Law, and thus deprive the South of
the means of recovering her property; to abol-
ish Slavery in the District of Columbia, and
prohibit it, by Congressional legislation, in the
Territories of the United States, and in the
forts, arsenals. and dockyards at the South
they would find that the South, if it had par
ticle of selfrespect, and he trusted in God it
had, would be prepared to resist any such &C.
ton. He hoped, however, that things would
never come 10 this issue. He believed that the
days of the Republican party were numbered,
and that he already saw the handwriting on
the wall.
Mr.. Washburn, of Maine, then obtained the
floor, when, at halfpast three o'clock, the House
adjourned.
of a.