American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-12-06
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, December I.

to wait on the President to inform him
that a quorum in each house had as
scmbled and were ready to receive "a
ny communication he might be pleased
to make.
A similar committee of the House
acted i'll conjunction with that of the
Senate, and in each branch report
was made that the President would
communicate his annual Message to
Congress tomorrow. Adjourned.
HOUSE. About 200 members were
present.
Hedges of Vt. Garnet of Va. Allen
and Morrison of ILL., to fill vacancies,
were qualified by taking oath to sup
port the Constitution.
Mr.. Phelps presented tic credcn-
tials Of Mr.. Whitfield and moved to be
sworn in.
They were read, Gov. Gcary certi-
flying to the fact that Whitfield had
been elected Delegate from Kansas
on the first Monday in Oct.
Mr.. Phelps asked that the usual
course would be pursued.
Mr.. Grow objected and was about to
state his reasons, when
Mr.. Phelps said it was known that a
vacancy had existed in the representa-
ton of Kansas. Credentials had been
presented and read and this entitled
| Whitfield to have the oath alminister-
cd him.
Mr.. Crow object.
The Speaker observed, that objection
being made, it would be the duty of
the chair to submit the question to the
House, whether the gentleman from
Kansas be sworn in as a Delegate.
Mr.. Campbell Of Ohio, suggested to
Grow whcther--as this is Il short scs-
sion and much unfinished busincss-it
would not be better to allow the mat
ter to lay over as it did last session on
a similar occasion. He didnut sec that
any thing could thus be lost.
Mr.. Grow--I cannot accede to the
request.
Phelps contcnded that Whitfield
should be admitted, as he presented
prima facia evidence Of the election &
none to contest his right. The crcdcn-
tials he said could be referred to the
committee ON elections, and on its re-
port the House could act as they belle
we'd justiccrcquircd. AS objection had
been made to swearing in Whitfield the
question was put to the House and de-
cidcd adversely by seven majority.
Mr.. Grow moved to reconsider the
vote and lay that motion on the table.
The friends Of Whitfield then common
ccd parliamentary struggle to stayc
off the vote on that point until tho ar
rival of abscntecs. Unsuccessful mo-
tons to adjourn, etc. was decided by
yeas and nays. Still in session at 5
o clock.
Campbcll--I have done my duty.
Mr.. Grow, in reply to Mr.. Phelps,
said the course he proposed was not I'm
precedentcd, and there were strong. ca
! ses in the books to justify it. In that
Of the New Jersey contested election
neither set Of delegates were admitted
until the Commissioners of elections.
after two orthrce months, reported
The House last session sent Commits
sioncrs to Kansas investigate the az
fairs OF that territory, and after full
deli6eration, the House decided that
no valid election had been held, and
hence, Whitfield was elected from his
seat. What change had taken place
in the organic act of the territory since
last session? Its legislation stands as
it did six months ago, when the dele
gate was rejected. Legislative was Ii.
Surpation; its acts characterized by un-
prccedentcd tyranny and mconstitu-
tional wrongs; its laws the blacklist &
most odiouS to be found among those of
dcspetisms. The House was now ask
ed to ovcrturn its decision and give va
lidity to tyrannous acts, forced on an
unwilling people by the arm of the Go.
vernment being used to shield the in
vadcrs of their rights from ncighboring
| States.
Mr.. Phelps said he would at prop
er time be ready to defend the validity
! Of the Legislature and laws of Kansas.
Last session Whitfield was sworn in &
his credentials referred to the Commit
tee on Elections, who reported advcrs-
ly to his taking his scat, and in favor
of Reoder. A vacancy was created
Whitfield was elected to fill that vacan-
cy, and is now here for that purpose.
Yet the gentleman from Pennsylvania
proclaimed that this question was adju-
dicatcd and decided last session. The
| gentleman, while voting against Whit.
field, assigned as reason for doing so
4 l. l. - L - 4 -.