Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-03-13
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS,

In the oenate, yesterday, alter we went to
press, Mr.. Douglas concluded his report from
the majority of the Territories Committee on
Kansas affairs. 1t embraces history of Amer
lean slavery in this country, and enters at
some length into its constitutional relations
1t states that the institution existed in all the
colonies; and Of the original thirteen States,
six have retained it, while in seven it has
been abolished Since then, eighteen new
States have been admitted into the Union,
nine of which has chosen to come in as free
States, and nine as slave States. Every new
State desiring admission into the Union has a
right to come in on terms of equality with the
old States, regulating her domestic insttu-
tions and internal concerns in her own way,
subject to the Constitution
The report refers to this principle az embo-
died in tho Nebraska and Kansas bill, and
condemns the combinations entered into in
certain sections of the country to control the
destiny Of the future State of Kansas; quotes
extracts from pamphlet entitled "Organiza.
ton, Objects and Plan and Operations of the
Emigrant Aid Society,"" also ga Description of
Kansas for the Information Of Emigrants d"
The report argues that no State has a right to
pass law with regard to any Territory which
1t could not pass in reference TO any other
State, or any foreign government, and proceeds
to give detailed history Of the elections held
In Kansas, at which the territorial legislature
was chosen. 1t denies that the illegal votes
said to have been cast nullify the election, or
that the removal of the seat of government
rendered the action of the legislature null and
void.
Next the report discusses the Topeka Con-
vention declares that the power to govern a
territory being vested in Congress, the people
have no right to annul territorial laws by &C.
tion In private capacity. II is proposed to
carry out the recommendations of the Presi.
dent in his special message, by the passage of
an act providing for the election Of delegates
by the people to assemble in convention and
form State constitution preparatory to admis-
sion into the Union on an equal footing with
original States, as soon as the population shall
amount to 93,420 souls and the committee
appropriation bill, appropriating such an
amount as may be found necessary for the
purposes Of maintaing good order and enforc.
ing the execution Of the laws in Kansas.
Mr. Collamer presented a minority report
from the same committee; which was also
read at length for the information of the Sem
ate. 1t takes the anti slavery side of the
questions involved in the Kansas snabrogl,o,
and embraces the arguments and pleas Gem.
mon to the oratorical efforts in favor of that
cause.
On motion to print these reports debate
sprang up on their merits respectively where
in Messrs. Sumner, Douglas, Brown, Seward,
Wade, Pugh, and others participated; when
the motion to print was agreed to.
Sundry reports of committees were then
made; after which they adjourned.
In the House, Mr.. Trafton concluded his
speech in favor Of the resolution authorizing
the Elections Committee to send for persons
and papers in the Kansas contested election
case.
Mr.. Davis, of Md q, addressed the House
against the resolution.
Mr. Wakeman argued at length in its favor
AND then, pending motion to adjourn
Mr. Meacham, from the Committee on the
District OF Columbia, reported bill to define
the rights OF voters and the duties of commits.
sioners OF elections in the city of Washington,
and for other purposes; which was read twice.
This bill is substantially the same as that
heretofore introduced by Mr.. Meacham. and
referred to the Committee on the District of
Columbia. 1t omits, however, the provision
which makes the oath Of person whose right
to vote is challenged prtn,a facie evidence of
the possession of that right; and also provides
for those persons whose names may have been
omitted from the poll list by the assessors
Mr. Meacham moved that the bill be refer
red to the Committee Of the Whole on the
state Of the Union.
Mr. Jones, OF Tenn. dld.not think that the
bill contained any thing that required the
reference proposed by the gentleman from
Vermont. He suggested that it be postponed
until Tuesday next
Mr.. Msacham modified his motion in accor-
dance with the suggestion Of the gentleman
and it was agreed to.
And then the House adjourned
Note Among the resolutions introduced
into the House yesterday, and adopted, was
one moved by Mr.. Galloway, as follows:
Resolved, That the Judiciary Committee be
requested to inquire into the judicial expenses
of the District of Columbia, and to suggest
such amendments to the laws regulating the
same as may be deemed proper.
Proceedings Of To-Day.
In the Senate, to-day, before we went to
press, . number of petitions and bills were
and sundry reports were made.
Nothing Of public interest transpired in that
chamber up to that hour, when they were
about again taking up Mr.. Bigler's resolution
70 70 subscribe for - copies Of ''Ks1s's Arctic
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