The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-08-21
Monday, august Is, 1856.
SENATE.


SENATE.
The Chair submitted message from the
President, in answer to a resolution calling for
Col. Fremont's accounts of his receipts and dis
bursements as an officer of the Government
Several private bills were passed.
The report of the committee of conference
on the civil appropriation bill was agreed to by
both Houses. 1t gives S250.0OO for the Wash.
ington aqueduct; settles the Baltimore post
office controversy, by appropriating S300,00
for the same, and providing for the selection of
site by commission, resembling the Exchange
building contract. The proviso that the con-
struction of all public buildings, except for de-
tensive purposes, be under civil superintend.
ence, was stricken out.
The House bill establishing naval depot
at Brunswick, Georgia, was postponed till next
session.
Mr.. Toombs, from the conference committee
on the Army bill, reported that they were una.
bile to agree, and moved that the Senate adhere
to Its disagreement, and notify the House there
OF. He thought there was no chance of an
agreement, and was willing to let the conse-
quences rest where they belong.
Mr.. Clayton wanted to leave the door open
till the last moment. 1t was yet possible there
would be an agreement So long as there was
the slightest hope of that result, he wanted to
use Cancellation; and he hoped the word insist
would be substituted for adhere.
MIR. Mason said he was willing to adhere, for
he saw no chance of an agreement. He was
In favor of meeting the enemy on the threshold.
MIR. Seward thought that must be figurative
language; for the enemy of whom the Senator
from Virginia spoke was the House of Repre-
sentatives-a co. ordinate branch of the National
Legislature. That body was in no sense the
enemy of the Senate. With all Difference to
the Senator from Virginia, public sentiment
was, in his opinion, the friend of all constitu-
tional law, and the principles on which our
Government is founded.
Mr.. Hale referred to the freedom of the Eng
lsh House OF Commons, by which the Govern
ment Is held in check and thought that if the
House of Representatives were forced to sub
mission, we might as well give up the expert
ment of free government.
MIR. Clayton said that if the bill was lost, the
army must be disbanded, as they could not be
paid and fed. In that case, it would be the
duty of the President to call an extra session
Immediately.
Mr.. Toombs consented to change his mo-
ton, and let it be 'the Senate insist" He
said the argument had been held out that the
army must be disbanded, if the bill failed. Let
it be disbanded, but keep the Constitution for
the protection of the people.
The motion to insist was agreed to-yeas
SO, nays u.
Mr.. Bell, with reference to the report of the
Committee on Naval Affairs in the case of
Lieut.. Bartlett, which has been understood to
reflect upon his character, stated that it was
not the intention of the committee to express
any opinion, pro or CON, but merely to spread
before tho country the evidence, in an impair
tial manner, without drawing conclusions
The Senate then passed q resolution agreeing
to extend the session till two o'clock, seven Sen.
ators only voting in the negative.
After other business of no special import.
ance, the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE
The House met at 8 o'clock,
Mr.. Aiken, elected TO supply the vacancy &C.
casioned by the death of Mr.. Miller, of Missouri,
was sworn in.
The Speaker laid before the House letter
from Mr.. Richardson, of Illinois, saying that he
had resigned his seat.
Mr.. Simmons, rising to a question of priv |
lege, offered resolution that a oolamittee of
five be appointed to investigate the assault on |
Mr.. Granger by Mr.. McMullin, this morning, |
and report action to the House on the second |
Monday of December.
Mr.. Cobb, of Georgia, amid great confusion, |
raised the point of order, that no question of
privilege was involved, saying that the few re-
manning minutes of the session should not he |
consumed by an inquiry into an assault aud
battery case
The Speaker declared that 1t was question
Of privilege.
The resolution was then adopted.
The Speaker appointed Messrs. Simmons,
Smith of Virginia, Petit, Eide, and Fuller Of
Maine, to investigate the assault ana battery
committed BY Mr.. AeMullin on Mr.. Granger.
Ar. Campbell, Of Ohio, reported, from the
select committee on the disagreeiug votes Of
lhe two Houses on tAe Army appropriation bill.
Mr.. 6. moved that the House insist on votes,
tupon the Kansas amendment TO the BILL and !
asked another conference commitsse. and called
the previous question: ~iich being seconded,
The motion o. mr.. Campbell, of Ohio, TO insist,
was then agreed to- tho yeas being in a major
ty Of three.
MIR. Kunkel moved the appointment of an.
other committee of conference, but the Speaker
declared the motion out of order,
Mr.. Cobb, of Georgia, moved to suspend the
rqles, to permit him to introduce a resolution
attending the sessions duration two hours
not sustained-yeas l3l, nays 68-two-thirds
being necessary.
message from the Senate was here Feceiv-
ID, asking the concurrence of the House in q
Ioint reso.ation proposing TO extend the session
Two hours.
Mr.. Cobb, of Georgia, moved 70 agree With 1t,