Washington sentinel., 1856-02-02
.CUmarfssI0nal.
THIRTY-FoURTH CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.


THIRTY-FOURTH CONGRESS-.
FIRST SESSION.
senate-1hursday, January 81, 1856.
Mr. FITZPATRICK, in pursuance of The no
tice he had given al the last meeting OF the Senate
would move 10 proceed 10 the election OF printer
Mr. FISH thought the subject had better be
postponed until the business incident 10 the morn
ing hour should be finished, and expressed the
hope that the motion would be waived unlil mat
time.
Mr.. FITZPATRICK thought there need be no
delay as the minds of Senators were pretty well
made up as 10 their choice and there would be
ample time TO devote 10 the presentation OF me-
MORALS after The election of that officer had been
made. He alluded 10 the immense quantity OF
matter pressing 10 be printed.
Mr. FISH said If the motion was IN order OF
course he could have nothing further 10 say; but
suggested that as the Senator from Alabma and a
his friends had made up their minds as TO their
choice yet some others might not be as well pre-
pared; and therefore he conceived that II was
better TO proceed with business which was legtl-
mately in order.
The CHAIR ruled that the motion was in order,
as il TO postpone all prior business, win
view TO proceed 10 ballot
Mr.. BROWN demanded the yeas and nays on
the motion which were ordered and'it was de-
cided in the affirmative, as follows:
YEAS-Messrs. Allen, Bayard, Bggs, Blgler,
Bright, Brodhead Cass, Clay, Evans, Fitzpatrick,
Hunter, Iverson. Johnson, Jones Of Iowa, Mallory,
Mason, Pugh, Rusk, Sebastian, Slidell Stuart,
Thomson Of New Jersey, Toucey Trumbull,
Weller, and Wright-26
NAYS-Messrs. Adams Bell of New Hamp-
shire. Bell Of Tennessee, Brown, Butler, Clayton,
Collamer Crinenden, Durkee, Fessenden, Fish,
Foot, Foster, Geyer. Harlan, Houston, Jones OF
Tennessee, Pearce, Pratt, Seward, Sumner,
Toombs, Wade, and Wilson-25.
The Senate then proceeded 10 ballot.
Mr.. CRITTENDEN inquired if the work had
not been faithfully and correctly performed by the
late printer and was proceeding, when
Mr. CLAY called the Senator from Kentucky to
order, on the ground that the ballot had COM
.menced.
knew, that there had been no complaint and no
thing alleged TO his prejudice.
The first ballot having been counted, there ap-
peared SO votes; necessary 10 choice n.
For Mr. A. o. p. Nicholson. ...A
Beverley Tucker.
Gamaliel Bailey. ............
Blanchard ................. a
Watterston
Scattering
Blank
A brief discussion ensucd TO whether the
blank votes should be counted.
Mr. PRATT wished the question decided be-
fore the vote was taken.
The CHAIR ruled that blank votes should be
counted
Mr. YULEE held that il had been the uniform
practice of the Senate not 10 count such votes,
and read rule TO show that such construction
was imperative but on investigation, il appeared
TO be the rule OF the House, and not Of the Senate.
Mr. PRATT then moved 10 dispense with fur
ther balloting until Monday next.
Mr. CLAY demanded The, yeas and nays on the
motion; which were ordered, and IT was decided
in the negative, as follows:
YEAS-Messrs. Adams, Bell of New Hamp-
shire Bell of Tennessee, Brown, Clayton Cola
mer. Criiienden, Durkee, Fessenden Fish, Foot,
Foster, Harlan, Houston, Jones of Tennessee,
Pearce Pratt, Seward Sumner, Thompson of
Kentucky, Tooubs, Trumbu Wade, and Wilson
NAYS-Messrs Allen, Benjamin. Bggs, Bigler,
Bright Brodhead, Butler, Cass, Clay, Evans, Fitz-
patrick, Geyer, Hunter, lverson, Johnson Jones
Of Iowa Mallory. Mason Pugh. Rusk Sebastian,
Slidell, Stuart Thomsoa Of New Jersey, Tou
cey Weller, Wright, and Yuee-2s
The Senate then proceeded 10 ballot a second
and third time, with but very little variation from
the first; when
MrCLAY expressed himself as always having
been opposed TO baolng, and moved TO proceed
10 vote Uira uoce.
Mr. BUTLER was not prepared 10 the
whole practice Of the Senate to meet any contin-
gency For his part his preference well as his
vote was very we'll known.
Mr.. CLAYTON concurred fully with the Sena-
to1Rfrom South Carolina, (Mr. BUTLER) and
avowed his perfect willingness al the same time
10 let the whole world know how he should vote
Mr. FITZPATRICK expressed The hope that
his colleague (Mr. CLAY would withdraw his mo-
lion.
Mr. CLAY would do %, al The suggestion of his
colleague, but could moi agree with the views ex-
pressed by the Senators from South Carolina and
Delaware. He thought there rule Of the
Senate compelling them 10 ballot, and, though he
Welded in the present case, he should contend Tor
pipa voting hereafter.
The CHAIR called for Senators 10 prepare their
allots.
Mr. BAYARD said he had made the endeavor
on former occasion to disconnect the printing Of
Congress with the newspaper press but il ap-
>eared that could not be done at present, and see
ng there no chance of electing MIR. Walters
on, he should give his vote with the majority for
Nr. Nicholson.
Mr. PRATT avowed his intention 10 do the
same, having been abandoned by those who voted
with him at the last election for printer.
Mr.. BROWN said his objections 10 voting for
Mr.. Nicholson were well known, and he meant TO
adhere TO them; but lest he might stand in The
way of an election he would not vote at all.
The fourth ballot was then counted when there
appeared 81 votes, Of which Mr. Nicholson got
90, and was declared duly elected. On this ballot
Mr.. Tucker received ten
On motion by Mr.. CLAY
RSsoiUed Thatthe Secretary Of War be requested
10 inform the Senate what in his opinion is ne
cessary 10 complete the defences Of the coast from
Mobile 10 New Orleans, inclusive.
THE CENTRAL AMERICAN QUESTION
Mr.. SEWARD, being entitled TO the floor on
the motion TO refer TO the Committee on Foreign
Relations the letter of Lord John Russell respec.
ting the construction Of the Clayton and ,Rulwer
treaty, addressed the Senate at great length, going
into historical view of the subject, and arguing
TO sustain the construction given TO il by the Uni
ted States Government. He thought war with
Great Britain among the possible contingencies oil
the present embarrassment
Mr.. FOOT obtained the floor, but, being late
moved that the further consideration be postponed
10 Monday; which was agreed 10.
The Senate went into Executive session. and
after some time spent therein, the doors we're re
opened,
And the Senate adjourned TO Monday.