Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-12-19
THIRrY.FOCRTn CONGnEss..aD SESSION.
MONDAY, DECEMBER Is, 1856.

MONDAY, DECEMBER Is, 1856.
SENATE.
On motion of Mr.. Jones' of Iowa, the Committee or
Commerce was directed 10 inquire into the e1peaen
cy Of making further appropriation OF t3oCoo tor
tho enlargement 1.-The Custom House and Foot Ofhoe
OF Dubuque, Iowa.
James Harlan Senator elect from Iowa, with the pro-
teet the Senate of that State relative thereto we're
taken up for consideration.
Mr.. Harlan proceeded TO speak On the suolect' sta
ting the facts with reference his election and citing
the provisions IN the United States Constitution and
the laws Of Iowa bearing on the case.
Mr.. Harlan said he should not object to the sub
ieot being referred to the judiciary committee as
moved. although The committee is composed OF those
who politically opposed 10 him.
Mr.. Bayard remarked, that as il has been ntmafed
by the Senator whose seat is Contested, that be had
~ political friends the committee Of the judiciary,
the should be referred 10 select committee.
There were precedeue for such course.
Mr.. Seward said when the committee were organ
ised, the minority objected to their arrangement,
for that the minority were not represented
in the important committees, as they thought they
ought TO be. As general thing, he would prefer
these QUESTION: should 60 to the regular standing
comnttees but it was the right OF the Senator from
TO have some political friends upon the committee
which was to act upon his case.
~ Butler observed he should have too much re-
G. ID for his reputation as lawyer to allow hsjudg.
ass.d By political feelings but he would prefer the
subject to go to select committee and be composed
OF the oldest Senators.
Mr.. Hale and Mr.. Fessenden preferred the usual
course such occasions.
The subject was referred to the committee on the
judiciary by tho following vote: yeas 81, nays Is.
Gu motion Of Mr.. Hale, resolution was adopted
tDstruciing the Committee on the Judiciary to III.
ouire whether any further legislation is necessary to
carry INFO eifec, regulating the compensation
Of members of Congress, passed in August last
Mr.. Houston gave notice OF his intention to intro.
ducs Dill providing for the establishment OF mail
route, Goi carrying a semi weekly overland ma!
from the Mississippi river 10 San Francisco.
The House bill providing for the settlement OF the
accounts of the soldiers of the Revolutionary army
and tbeir WIDOWS and orphans was discussed until the
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
ar. Etberidge submitted the following resolu
ron which read Tor Information: Resolved
~ -. House regard all.nggestions or proposition.
-. ..-V nd, by wholns )evor made, FOR tue reviva!
e r- 49,. slave trade, as shocking to the moral
49, n u the eni:2htoue6 portion OF mankind,
e.. =, - any a,s on the part OF Congress !eglsatng
~. territory or egGlzing that horfld aud inhuman
.stc would justly subject the United States to tbs
Q: ,4et and execraon Of all civilized aud Christian
pope throughout the world.
Objection was made to the introduction OF the reso'
intion.
Mr. Etheridge moved a suspension Of the rules.
Mr.. Campbell of Ohio, demanded the yeas and
Mr Walker asked whether if the House shall sus.
pend the rules, it the purpose Of Mr. Ethsridge to
tho previous question or the adoption OF tue re-
solution 10 cut OF debate.
Mr.. Eheridgs replied that the resolution contain.
cd self.svident proposition, and he presumed eve
~ gentleman had an opiGlon on the subject. lie
should not discuss it, bat would move the previous
QUESTION.
NJ Jones of Tennessee, said he wanted Mr.. Ether
idse TO leave out tbs agumen, in the resolution quo
said he as much opposed TO the reopenipg Of the
African slave trade a. his colleague. He was here
called 10 order debate, the Speaker said was mad
inssiolh a; this time.
Mr.. Joue. said he would not be gagged by either
tho Speaker or others.
Mr.. Orr Intellectually strove to otter substitute
simply resolving that t is inr1pedient 10 repeal the
laws prohibiting the African slave trade.
Mr.. Etherdges motion TO suspend the rules in or
der TO enable him to Introduce his resolution, was
agreed 10, yeas li0, nays IS.
Mse.rs Greenwood, McMullen, Puryear, Smith Oi
Virginia, Zolicof-r Burnett, Barksdale and Phelps
suverally gave their for voting TO the effect
that while they opposed the re opening Of the slave
trade, they thought that the resolution was out oil
character and i'll timed.
Mesers. Keitt and Garuett remarked, thu. had they
been present, they would have voted in the mega.
tive.
Farther explanations from the Democratic side
Ynrn ohjsosed TO by many members amid cries OF
Ths demand for the previous question was sustain
ed by vote of 80 ma orty, and the main question
was ordered by vote Of Al majority.
Mr.. Queen moved to lay the resolution on the to
bic. 10y avote of-yeas II, nsys l37.
VIZ. E.heridges resolution was then adopted-yeas
La nays 81.
Mr.. Orr, under the suspension of the rules, sub.
mGed resolution that il 10 inexpedient, unwise, and
contrary 10 the Settled policy OF the Quilted States to
repeal the lave prohibiting the African slave trade.
II was adop,si-yeas lSj; nays, Messr,. Barksdale,
B-nn.tt of Miss Brooks, Keitt, Suitmsn, Shorter,
Walker, Wright Of Mississippi.
Mr.. Wssaourn, of Maine, asked leave to offer a
resolution calling on tie President to communicate a
statement Of The amounts Of money paid and abili.
ties incurred tor tue pay and sappor, OF persons
called into the service o. the United States either
3nder designation o: mi!itin in Kansas as posse
oossnntus, by the civil officers in the Territory,
since tho date Of it's establishment and for witnesses
and arrests. detention and trial Of persons charged
with trssson against the United States, with vio-
ntou "f the so called laws OF the Territory. Pending
which the House adjourned.