The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-08-07
THlRTY-F0URTH CONGRESS-.
First Session.
Tuesday, July 20, 1856.
SENATE

SENATE.
On motion of Mr.. Collamer, the Senate pro-
ceeded 10 the consideration of the bill to test
the practlcability and usefulness of the atmos.
pheric telegraph. The question was taken on
ordering the bill to be engrossed, and disagreed
to-yeas Ia, nays %.
The Senate then, after debate. passed the
bill tor harbor at the mouth of Clinton river
Michigan.
The bill for the construction of harbor at
New Buffalo, Michigan, was rejected by a vote
of yeas IL, nays II.
HOUSE.
The House proceeded to the consideration
OF the amendments to the Army Appropriation
bill.
Mr.. Campbell, of Ohio, stated the reasons
why ne should not vote for the amendments of
Messrs Barbour and Sherman, proposing to
restrict the appropriations as to the army in
Kansas Such propositions, he contended, would
lead to the defeat of the bill. Let the House
do its duty, and send to the Senate a suitable
bill to quiet the difficulties in that Territory.
Then, If the Senate should refuse to acouiesce,
contrary to the public will, he might consent,
In the last resort, to withhold the appropria.
tons. He wished to favor bill relative to the
Kansas dihicultiea on its own merits, and was
in favor of restoring the Missouri Compromise.
on" "ouio 'oec iof d plii W repeal the NEBRASKA
Kansas act.
The question was then stated on agreeing to
MIR. Bsrbour's amendment, declaring the laws
of Kansas null and void, and that the army
shall not be employed in the Territory until
both Houses of Congress shall declare that the
code OF alleged laws passed by the Legislative
Assembly of Kansas was passed in conformity
with the organic law.
This amendment was rejected by vote of
yeas 80, nays 50.
The next amendment-that of Mr.. Sher.
man-was read, as follows:
Prortded, That no part of the military force
of the United States shall be employed to aid
IN the enforcement of the alleged laws of the
Legislative Assembly of Kansas, convened at
Shawnee Mission, until Congress shall declare
whether the laws are valid or not, and passed
by Legislature chosen in conformity with the
organic law; and, until Congress shall so act
it shall be the duty of the President to use the
military force of the United States to preserve
the peace, suppress instruction, repel invasion,
and protect the persons and property of citizens
therein, and on the highway of Missouri and
elsewhere, against unlawful seizure and search :;
and that the President disarm the present
militia, recall all the United States arms, and
prevent armed men from going into the Terri
tory to disturb the public peace, or enforce real
or pretended laws.
This amendment was concurred in-yeas 81,
nays sc. And the bill was then passed.
On motion of Mr.. Dunn, the House recon
sidered the vote referring to the Committee of
the Whole on the state of the Union the bill to
annul certain acts of the Legislative Assembly
OF Kansas, and secure to citizens of the Terri
tory their rights and privileges.
The motion of MIR. Dunn was agreed to, when
he offered a substitute for the bill--namely:
to reorganize the Territory of Kansas, and for
other purposes, providing the usual machinery
IN such cases. The Legislative Assembly is
prohibited from passing any er post facto law,
or law impairing the obligations of contracts,
nor any law in abridgement of the freedom of
speech or of the press, or to deprive any one
OF the right of trial by jury or of the writ of
haoeds corpus nor anylaw requiring any prop,
erty qualifications or religious tests to VOTE to
hold office, to practice law, or serve on juries
In any court of justice. Neither shall any per.
son, to be entitled to any of said privileges, be
required to take any oath or affirmation to
support any law other than the Constitution of
the United States; nor shall cruel or unusual
punishments be allowed, nor reasonable bail be
refused to any person accused of any crime,
except treason and murder; nor in the latter
case, unless the truth is evident or presumption
great. All criminal prosecutions now pending
in any of the courts of Kansas, imputing to any
person or persons the crime of treason against
tbe United States and I'll criminal prosecu-
tions, by information or indictment, against
any person or persons, for any alleged violation
or disregard whatever of what are usually known
as the laws of the Legislature of Kansas, shall
be forthwith dismissed by the courts where
such prosecutions may be pending; and every
person who may be restrained of bis liberty by
reason of any of said prosecutions shall be
released therefrom without delay.
The bill restores the Missouri restriction
provides for encouraging education encour-
ages the settlement of emigrants; and repeats
all parts of the Nebraska and Kansas act, and
every law or usage in conflict with the bill.
Mr.. Sneed moved to Jag the subject On the
table; which motion did not prevail.
The bill, as amended by Mr.. Dunn's substi-
tute, was then passed yeas SO, nays IA.
Mr.. Taylor presented memorial from cit
izen of Louisiana, complaining of the official
misconduct of Judge Watrous, of Texas and
that he and other persons have heen thus
aggrieved.
Erening Session.-The House again met, at
the usual hour, but nothing Of importance trans
PRED. Adjourned.