The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-07-03
..THIRTY-F0URTH CONGRESS-.
First Session.
Thursday. June &c, 1856.

appropriately referred:
BY Mr.. Brown A memorial from citizens of
Georgetown, in the District of Columbia, asking
the retrocession of that city to the State of
Maryland.
Mr.. Hunter, from the Committee on Finance,
Ito which was referred the amendment of the
Senate to the bill from the House making ap-
preparations for the consular and diplomatic
expenses of the Government, &C., disagreed to
10y the House, reported that the Senate insist
on their amendment, and ask a committee of
conference on the disagreeing votes of the two
Houses; which was agreed to, and Messrs. Hun
ter, Foot, and Slidell, were appointed on the
part of the Senate.
Mr.. Crittenden introduced the following res
olution, which he deemed every way worthy of
consideration, if for no other purpose, at least
of fixing the matter in the public mind. He
dwelt with some emphasis on the necessity of
Congress taking some such step without delay:
Whereas the Constitution of the United
States provides that Congress may by law pro-
vide for the case of removal, death, resignation,
or inability, both of the President and Vice Pres
ident, declaring what officer shall then act as
President, and such officer shall act accordingly
until the disability be removed or President
shall be elected; and whereas it greatly con-
Ecerns the peace of the country, and perhaps the
very existence of the Government, that the laws
enacted by. Congress in pursuance of that pro-
vision of the Constitution should be 80 compre
hensive as to provide for any vacancy that can
possibly occur in the Office of the President, and
so clear as to admit of no controversy nor any
question Of disputed succession to that high Of
hce: To the end, therefore, that all doubts or
defects which may exist in our present laws on
this subject may be remedied, and future con-
troversy prevented
BE IL YeSolced, DC, That the Committee on
the Judiciary be instructed to examine these
laws, and inquire whether the provisions they
contain are constitutional, proper, and adequate
: in all respects TO their purpose aud end, or
whether any further legislation be necessary or
, proper, and to report thereon by bill or other
wise.
!. The resolution was adopted.
Mr.. Geyer submitted the following motion:
Ordered, That from and after Monday next
the daily hour of meeting of the Senate shall
be eleven o'clock, until otherwise ordered.
. The Senate proceeded to consider the resolu-
ton submitted by Mr.. Adams on the 9th of
May last, fixing the adjournment of Congress
for the 2lst of July next.
Mr.. Adams then modified the resolution to
read as follows
ResoIoed, That the President of the Senate
and Speaker of the House of Representatives
do adjourn their respective Houses on Monday,
.
Mr.. Seward was opposed to fixing so early
day as that indicated by the resolution
| Mr.. Brodhead avowed his readiness to support
the resolution as modified, but would have pre-
/ ferred it in its original shape.
Mr.. Douglas argued in favor of the earliest
possible period for adjournment, and would GER
tainly give his support to the resolution.
Mr.. Hale was against the views of the Senator
J from New York, Mr.. Seward, protesting him
self in favor of an early adjournment AS to
fixing the day, he did not much believe in that.
The resolution was agreed to, apparently
, with unanimity.
Mr.. Stuart called up for consideration the
report made from the select committee appoint.
ed to amend the rules of the Senate and very
protracted discussion ensued. Much instructive
matter was evolved in the course of the several
brief speeches of the day, and gradually, the
majority seemed to rest on the opinion that the
only amendment to the rules requisite to be ex.
pressly enacted was that one making it the duty
of the presiding officer to call to order any mem
Der exceeding the propreties Of debate. On
motion Of Mr. Jones, of Tennessee, all of the
report was rejected except the portion directing
this to be done by the Chair, and provision
for the reference of private bills, on motion, to
the Court of Claims.
On motion by Mr.. Weller, the Senate took up
the bill for tie construction of a military road
from some point in the State of Missouri, via
, Great Salt Lake City, to Carson Valley settle
ment, the frontier, in the State of California,
and for the establishment of military posts and
the sinking of wells thereupon and it was read
third time and passed. 1t appropriates
100000.
:. The House resumed the consideration of the
bill to admit the State of Kansas into the Union,
. the question being on the motion of Mr.. Dunn,
of Indiana to refer it to the Committee of the
Whole on the state of the Union.
a discussion sprang up or the effect of COM
uniting the bill-its friends contending that it
would be equivalent to its defeat, as it would
be almost impossible to reach tits opponents
insisting that it was the only proper course of
procedure. Mr.. Haven, of New York, wished
to misunderstanding, deprecated haste, desired
first to have the report of the committee sent
| 70 Kansas.
Mr. Stephens, of Georgia, then obtained the
floor, but, not wishing to speak upon the bill
to-day, yielded to allow the House to proceed to
other business.
Mr.. Grow gave notice that i vs9 Jig intention
to call toe PIE sious question on the bill on Sat
urday next He would not do 80, however, prior
to the hour of three o'clock on that day.
Mr.. Morrill,, of Vermont from the Committee
on Territories, reported bill to punish and pre-
vent the practice of polygany N the Territories
o. the United States and other places oyer which
the United States have exclusive Jurisdiction
which was read twice.
The bill was then read IN eyts,.se. 1t subjects
any person guilty Of polygapy to fine not ex-
ceeding $500, and to imprisonment not less
than two nor more than five years.
Mr.. Morrill, stated that but one member of the
Committee on Territories dissented from the
bill; 49,. mat the only question had been in
lation to the power Of legislating upon the sub;
ject. He moved its reference to the Committee
cf the Whole on the state of the Union; which
motion agreed to.
Mr.. Kennett, of Missouri, moved to reconsider
the vote by which the House yesterday passed
the joint resolution to furnish the Territories Of
New Mexico and Utah with arms; which mo-
ton was entered on the Journal, to be considered
at a future Gay.
The House then went into Committee of the
Whole on the state of the Union, Mr.. Letter,
of Ohio, in the Chair and resumed the consid-
Grafton of the bill making appropriations for
the construction Of military roads in the Terri
tory of Oregon which, after debate, was laid
aside to be reported to the House.
Several other Territorial bills were then re.
ported and laid aside.
And then, at o'clock, the House adjourned.
Friday, in both Houses of Congress, the
death of the Hon. Thomas II. Bayly, a mem
Der of the House from Virginia, was announc.
ed-appropriate speeches were made, and res
solutions adopted, and the Houses adjourned.
Saturday, June %, 1856.
The Senate did not sit to-day,