The daily union., 1856-03-26
HOUSE OF REPREsENTATIYE
The House met at IL, m.

Personal EXPLANATION.
Mr.. CAMPBELL of Ohio said that when the House was
organized the Speaker very unexpectedly to himself
pointed him to the distinguished position of the chairman
of the Committee of Ways and Means lie accepted that
trust intending devote himself during this Congress
that service On yesterday distinction again
erred upon him by the Chair equally unexpected the
former and which be found voved very arduous
and a very important service, entirely incompatible with
the duties which assigned to him When the House
organized He had arisen therefore, this morning TO AJAX
the House him from serving the head of the
commission proceed to Kansas take testimony. Ia
doing he trusted that be would be permitted say thai
be felt sensiby the very high donors which had been
conferred upon him by the Chair and he begged leave
express his Of gratitude for the last because there
peculiar circumstances surrounding him at this time
that made II gratifying bis personal feelings 10
have this high testimony of the confidence Of the Chair in
reference TO his position the Kansas question.
Mr. e. being excused by the House the Speaker appoint
cd Mr. SHERMAN, Of Ohio to serve in his stead
RESOLUTION
On motion Of Mr.. WALKER, OF Alabama
Rssored That the Commsteo on the Judiciary be request
ed inquire and report TO this House whether The Kansas
committee has the power the attend
ance Of witnesses and punish for contempt.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
The following bills were introduced in pursuance Of
previous notice, read twice by their titles and apPro-
pratey referred;
By Mr. KELSEY, of New York bill for the relief of
the widows and orphans Of the officers seamen and ma
rines OF the United States sloopowar Albany ard for
other purposes.
By Mr Maxwell, Of Florida bill giving the right
Of way and granting alternate sections OF certain public
lands the States Of Florida and Alabama TO aid in the
construction off certain railroad therein specified.
By Mr.. PHELPS, Of Missouri bill TO authorize the
President of the United States 70 the southern bound
airy line OF Kansas Territory to be surveyed and marked
Also bill making grant of land to the State Of Ms
souri, to sa 10 the construction Of the Western Missouri
railroad.
mail weekly between ST Louis Missouri, and San Fran.
cisco, California
Also, bin for the relief Of Antoine Robcdeau.
REPORTS IRON coNMTTEEs
Ar. SIMMONS, OF Eey York from the Committee on the
Judiciary reported with IA amendment House bill for the
relief of the represen aves and suretes OF Robert King
deceased which read and committed.
Mr. MEACHAM Of Vermont called for the regular order
Mr. CAMPBELL Of Ohio, moved that the rules be sus
pended and that the House resolve itself into Committee
Of the Whole the state of the Union for the purpose Of
taking mp soms Of the appropriation bills which motion
was not agreed to,
ELECTIONS THE CRY OF WASHINGTON
The House then proceeded TO the consideration Of the bill
defining the rights Of voters and the duties Of the commits
sioners Of elections 10 the city of Washington and for
other purposes which made the special order for
day
Mr. H. MARSHALL, Of Kentucky, moved to amend the
first section by inserting after the word shall in the line
who shall be citizen Of the United States the words
have for two years that II would read "thst
from and after the passage Of this act every free white male
resident Of the city of Washington (yagrauts paupers
have resided in the said city year Immediately pre-
ceding the day Of election, and who shall have been for
two years citizen of the United States &C. "shal be
entitled to vote" &c.
He said that this amendment to deprive a foreign
citizen from voting Rer he natursized until he had
been years resident Of the place large number Of
laborng who foreigners employed In this
District and city the public works and they might be
carried up TO in the municipal elections Immediately
after they naturaized, and in this they might
control the taxation of the property Of the town He
thought that IL but fair that they should exercise
the right vote until at least two years after they bad
become naturaliged, and the amendment be introduced
would require OF them residence Of two years after they
naurslzed before they would be allowed to vote 10
the municipal elections.
Mr. JONES' Of Tennessee said that this amendment was
very plain and very easily comprehended II sought to
establish principle which he believed not recognised
by the constitution OF our country he aware that
II had heretofore besn recognised by the legislation Of Com
gress 1t certainly not recognised by the State In
which he lived nor far he knew in ANY State Of the
Union The amendment proposed in direct terms TO make
distinction between citizens Of the United States. II re-