Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1856-12-17
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I CONGRESSIONAL.
g WAsnNGToN, Dec. 1G

I
CONGRESSIONAL.
: 49, wv AsnN GToS, Dec. 10.
SEyATE-on motion Of Mr.. Dodgea resolr-
ton was adopted calling on the Secretary of
| War for copies of all the letters addressed TO
1 that Department. or to Wilson Shannon, late
Gov. of Kansas, by Col. Sumner relative to Kan
sas affairs, which has not heretofore been COM
nunicated. Is r.
Mr.. Brown gave notice of his intention to in
troduce AZ bill providing for construction of rail
road and stelegraphic communication betwecus
the Atlantic coast and Pacific, and for other pnr-
poses.
SIR. Wilson introduced bill amendntory of
the act to organize the Territories of Nebraska
and Kansas Referred to committee on Territory.
On motion of Rusk a joint resolution grant
ing further time to creditors of Texas to present
their claims and other purposes was taken up.
Rnsk explained and advocated the resolution,
which extends the time TO Jan. LIST, 1858, and
repeats provision in theforiner act for dstri.,
button of pro3rata otsresidue to those who have
filled their releases 80 I'll ksf
Mr. Benjamin thought the resolution ought
not to pass, and moved its referencesto commit
tee on inance, in order TO a thorough investiga-
ton. Motion negatiyed.-
Adebate ensued No final action.
Mr.. Fessenden introduced bill in addition to
the act more eiiectually to provide for the pun
ishment of certain crimes against the u. s. Re-
ferred to committee Judiciary.
Mr.. Fessehden explained 1t was intendedto
remedy certain defects in the criminal law. 1t
has been found that for the crime of manslangh-
! ter when committed OH the high seas, but the
person not dying until he arrived on shore, there
is no punishment: This bill proposed remedy
for that defect. He alluded to the sirnilar an
omaly in criminal law, it being found an offensc
to assault with a dangerous weapon, where
death does not ensue is now punishable by 3
years imprisonment at hard labor, but the same
offence, when death ensues, is punishable by 8
years Imprisonment without hard labor, which
seems very inconsistent withjustice.
Adjourned. ate gI.l. tss.li ~ + +
HousELMr Whitfield introduced bill pro-
viding for an assessment of damages sustained
by loss and destruction of property belonging
to citizens of Kansas, during the recent distur-
bancesin said Territory also, a bill establishing
two additional Land Districts in Kansas.
Mr.. Campbell, of Ohio, from the Committee
on Ways and Means, reported the Indian, Civil
and Army appropriation bills, which We're refer
red to the Committee of the Whole. ,,,7sls 8 Is
Mr.. Campbell, of Ohio, reported a bill amend.
ing the 2Sthi section of the Tariff Act of Au-
gust, 1852, so as to prohibit the importation of
indecent and obscene prints and transparencics,
statues, &C., and that parties offending shall be
proceeded against with due course of law, and
the articles be destroyed Passed.
On motion of Mr. Campbell, of Ohio, the fur
Their consideration Of the bill reducing the du-
ties on imports, and for other purposes, report
y
Tuesday in january. III
| The debate on the Presidents annual message
was resumed.
Mr.. Nicholas commended that notwithstanding
the assertions of the President the agitation of
the slavery questiohiis legitimate in consequence
of the repeal of the Missouri Compromise. 1t
ill became the Executive, in the fall of the policy
endorsed by the latter, to make use of such Ian
guage rs he had in condemnation of those who
differed from him. 1t was said that they who
opposed the policy of the Administration were
abolitionists. He held that Congress may gov
ern the Territories and exclude slavery or any
other institution it,may deem imperious to their
\ prosperity. If this made him an abolitioniSt he
was one. His object being to supply some pa
| ges in political history which had been omitted
I by the democrats. In his discussion he offered
speeches of Douglas and others in 1S4S, articles
in newspapers, proceedings of democratic con-
ventions and Legislatures, to show in the dem
ocratic party much difference of opinion relative
TO the slavery question: large portion adyoca-
ting the exclusion of slavery from Territories
Notwithstanding this, those who, as a party, hold
similar opinions are denounced in offensive
terms by the President, who had added insult to
Injury in his remarks. As to the threat of dis
union in the event of Fremont's election, made
by the democrats, such fears existed only in the
heated and disordered brain of politicians, and
not in the hearts of the people.
Mr. Crawford opposed every word in the
Presidents Message. He believed, notwith.
standing their denials, that the Republicans
were prepared to interfere with the institutions
of the slave States The project of the Repub-
licans, he contended was revolutionary, and pro-
lceeded to show fronevents IN the recent canvass
and history of the past, that those who are abb
solutely in favor of excluding slavery from Ter
ritories arsenals, dock yards, District of Co
lumba, are likewise in favor of interfering with
! the institutions of slave States.
Mr. Jones' of Tenn, argued that no express
power was delegated to Congress to establish
a Territorial Government, but to those holding
ia large extent Of SOIL the Constitution gives
authority for application of the rules under
] (which the country shall be settled and the pub
lie lands sold. Then in accordance with this
first great principle, the laws organizing Kansas
and Nebraska derived its vitality from the i'm
piled consent of freemcn who settle the country.
They should be allowed to exercise their light
to frame their own institutions. The Republi-
can party, so far from carrying out the princi.
pies of true repubicanism would play the part
of despotism under the cry of liberty and free
dom, by claiming and exercising the power to
govern the people of the Territories.
Adjourned.
FROM WASHINGTON.
DEC. 16.-The Presidents message, commu-