The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-03-20
THIRTY-FOURTH CONGRESS-.
First Session.
Wednesday, March u, 1856.
SENATE.

MIR. Hunter, from the Committee on Finance.
to which was referred the bill to supply def
ciencies IN the appropriations Tor the service of
the hsca! year ending the Both of June. re-.
ported back the same with sundry amendments
These amendments are somewhat numerous
and include an amount OF nearly three mil
hons. Among the items are one of one million
eight hundred thousand dollars for the War
department, principally on account of the
Quartermasters department, barracks and other
incidental expenses; and an item Of $500. 600
for the water-works Of this city
Mr.. Douglas, from the Committee on Terri.
tories, to which was referred so much of the
Presidents annual message as relates to Terri
torial affairs, and that OF the 9th Of January
IN relation to Kansas, and the message of the
18th OF February, in answer TO q. resolution
GAZING Tor information IN relation 10 the same.
upwards 6I oue"n1!aaeea' f.ssSs- - -'--..S
MIR. ColaIaer, as a member Of the commit
tee, Ga not assent to the doctrines laid down
i'll that report, and desired to submit the views
Of the minority. Mr.. G.. then presented a doc
ument scarcely less yoluminous than that of
Mr.. Douglas.
These reports were read by the Senators ma
king them, and occupied the time Of the Senate
for three hours
Il motion was made to print the reports.
when an exceedingly animated discussion en-
sued, IN which Messrs. Sumner, Douglas,
Brown, Seward, Wade, Pugh, and others, par
ticipated.
Mr.. Sumner sustained the report of the mi
noFity, emphatically denying the charges CON
tanned in the report of the majority.
Mr.. Douglas wGnld be prepared to prove all
the facts sustained in the report, and Justify
the conclusions drawn from them. The Sena-
tor from Massachusetts could not deny them
lie would, however, take occasion, at an early
day, TO give his views at length.
Mr.. Brown could not 90 into discussion of
this subject inteligently, and he therefore wish
cd 1T postponed until after the rep5xss had been
printed, when he should desire 10 be heard ON
the matter. lie had a speech already only half
delivered on another subject, and he should ask
the Senate to hear the remainder tomorrow, or
allow aim TO have il sent to the reporter To
publish. lie did not care much which course
was taken.
Mr.. Seward expressed himself as greatly
gratiGed with the principles laid down in the
minority report, and the signal ability with
which it was drawn. He declared himself will
ing and ready to stand by and defend 10 the
last all the facts, SIS we'll as tho conclusions
drawn from them.
The motion to print was then agreed to-
Mr.. Pugh moved TO print $500 copies; which
was referred to the Committee on Printing.
And the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE
The Speaker announced the following Gen
tlemen as the selecs committee on the bill in
troduced by Ids Dunn yesterday, Enabling
the StSses OF Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio,
Aentucky, Indiana, and Illinois, to improve the
navigation of the river Ohio, and granting
lands to said States in aid thereof. and for other
purposes" Messrs. Dunn Of Indiana, Stanton
of Ohio, Allen of Illinois, Richie of Pennsyl-
vania, Cox Of Kentucky, Taylor of Louisiana,
and Garlic of Virginia.
Mr.. Whitney, Of New York, introduced a bill
10 establ a uniform rule of naturalization. and
to repeal all acts heretofore passed and now in
force on that subject.
Mr.. Meacham, of Vermont, introduced n hill
to incorporate the Mutual Gas Light Company
of Washington and Georgetown.
The House then resumed the consideration
oI the resolution empowering the Committee OF
Elections, IN the contested election case from
the Territory of Kansas, to send for rersons
and papers, and to examine witnesses upon
oath or affirmation.
Car traitor, of Massachusetts. briefly urged
The necessity of adopting the resolution. in or.
der that the allegations made in the majority
ana minority reports might be tested He then
PioSeeueo 10 ueiend the Emlgrant Aid Societies
formed for the purpose of settling Kansas, de-
ciarlng that their object MAS to people our free
territory with free men and free women. These
societies were not the offspring of the present
time. Many of the old States were peopled
through their instrumentality, and portions of
this country were settled through the agency of
such organizations formed in England.
Mr.. Davis, of Maryland, then entered into an
elaborate aud able legal argument of the cues
tons embraced in this election case He con
tended that there was no question which eould
be decided by any evidence which could be taken
in this case, and declared that he was not viii.
ing to take single step that would in the most
remote manner IMPLY that the House had auv
authority 10 act upon the superstition that 4
could eoliaterally inquire into the validity of the
laws OF the Legislature of Kansas.
Mr.. Wakeman, OF New York, replied 10 =
poreon OF the remarks of Mr. Davis, and ARMED
20 prove that the House had the RIGHT 10 insnire
whether Its members had been properly elected.
ana came from proper Government. In his
opinion, Congress had the power 10 determine
winch aud what Government is the existing Gov
eminent In ANY individual State or Territory of
the Union He charged the Administration as