The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-07-12

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
a"E KANSAS AFFAIRS. Il
Mr. GROW, Of Pennsylvania, gave notice TO the House
that he intended TO call the motion heretofore made by
Mr. DUNN Of Indiana to reconsider the vote by which the
bill TO annal certain acts Of the legislative assembly of the
Territory Of Kansas and to to the citizens Of said
Territory their rights and privileges referred to the
Committee OF the Whole the state of the Union the
earliest possible moment after the present question should
be disposed OF.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
On motion of Mr. LETCHER of Virginia. the Indian-ap-
preparation bill returned from the Senate with amend
nents taken from the Speakers table and referred
the Committee of Ways and Means.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
The following bills introduced in pursuance of
previous notice read twice. and appropriately referred
By Mr.. STEPHENS OF Georgia "A bill TO authorize the
Postmaster General enter into contract with Christian
Housen, of Brooklyn New York, to carry the United
States mail in line Of steamers from New York to Glud
By Mr.. DICK, of Pennsylvania; A bill to divide the
State of Pennsylvania into three judicial districts
SUMNER AFFAIR.
The House then resumed the consideration of the major
y and minority reports of the special committee appoint
ed TO investigate the assault committed upon Senator SUM-
by member Of the House the question being the
motion OF Mr. CoBp of Georgia, to substitute the minority
for the majority report
Mr.. CAMPBELL of Ohio said that he understood that
number of gentlemen desired to be heard upon the ques
ton before the House He exceedingly anxious to
close the matter but would allow it to continue to-day
morning, in order that the vote might be taken with
understanding that if either of the gentlemen implicated
desired to address the House he would withdraw the call
for the purpose of allowing them to do so. ... .
Mr.. CULLEN, of Delaware, proceeded to address the
House He had doubt that the House had jurisdiction
in the matter. He thought Mr.. EDMUNDsoN ought
have been included by the majority of the committee in
their resolution of censure but it his opinion how
much he might regret the necessity that Mr. Books
should be punished and he would therefore for the
| resolution OF the majority Of the committee.
Mr. ENGLISH, OF Indiana, offered the following an
amendment in the nature of substitute to the amend
ment pending ... .,.. ...
tion Of the assault made by the Hon. PnrsroS BRooKs
upon the Hon. CHARLES SUMNER in the Senate Uni
ted States the I'D day and that the House deems
this fit occasion to express its dsapprobaton the
language in debate Of character personally offensive
dvdua members of Congress- any of the States of the
Union.
Mr. BoYCE, of South Carolina, commended that there
in the House to take cognzance of this
in the manner recommended by majority of the commit
tee and that the gentleman involved In this had
been guilty OF disordery conduct in the in which 1t
was used by the constitution.
Mr. ETHERIDGE maintained the jurisdiction of the
House. and condemned the southern members for ncon-
sstency in the position they had taken this question
He would not vote for the resolution he did think
| the offence merited expulsion.
Mr. QUITMAN of Mississippi, moved that gentlemen be
limited in debate the pending question during the re-
mainder OF the day to fifteen minutes each which motion
was agreed to.
Mr. NICHOLS of Ohio held that this was AN offence Of
which the House should take notice.
Mr.. TAYLOR Of Louisiana, Mr.. STUART of Maryland,
and Mr. BRANCH of North Carolina argued that the
stuton conferred no power upon the House take
Mr.. TYSON, of Pennsylvania, held that the House had
power.
Mr. KNAPP of Massachusetts, sustained the sentiments
contained in the resolutions Of the Massachusetts, egsa-
ture, and condemned the assault
Mr. WOODRUFF, of Connecticut characterized the as
saut as brutal outrage and in violation of all honor and
decency The time had come for some expiration for da
tardy outrages whether committed here in Kansas
While he would not violate the propretes of debate he
would not hesitate to characterize any lofty assumptions
| OF arrogance or mean achievements Of cowardce.
| Mr. CADWALADER, Of Pennsylvania said that while
he acknowledged the Jurisdiction Of the House. was con-
WINGED that 10 exercise 1t in such the present
would be supplementary, illegal, and injurious
Mr. HICKMAN OF replied to his colleague
Mr. SAVAGE of Tennessee, maintained that Mr. Books
had more than atoned for the offence he had committed
against the laws of the land, and had committed none
against the privileges of the House The speech of Mr.
SUMNER which provoked the Assault he characterized as
the foulest most corrupt and abominable collection OF
malice fasehood and SANDER that had ever emanaed
from any man in any age and of nation and thought
was time that some measures should be taken to stop
this violent abuse persons and sections under the priy
| leges of debate
Mr. OLIVER, of New York. cOntended in favor of the
majority report Of the committee.
| Mr. HOUSTON, of. Alabama, moved TO recommit the
resolutions and amendments to the committee with in
structons to report the following q substitute;
Resored That the House of Representatives has no con
tutonal authority to determine what the privileges Of the
Senate, or to punish for their violation.
| The debate was further continued by Messrs KUN
KEEL of Pennsylvania, DAMRELL OF Massachusetts,
CAMPBELL Of Pennsylvania, HALL Of Massachusetts,
DURFEE of Rhode Island, PURyIANCE Of Pennsylvania
and LETTER Of Ohio, who commended the House had ju
risdicton in the case and Messrs BOWIE Of Maryland
READE FLORENCE Of Pennsylvania, LETCHER OF vir-
gnia who took the opposite side Of the question and
| them at 0 o'clock, the House adjourned
uruopt.,