Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-12-23
xxxv coNGREss-First Session.
WAsHlNeruN, Tuesday, Dec. %.

I
any new provisions of law are necessary to
secure the faithful performance of existing
contracts, which provide for accurate reports
of the debates of the two Houses.
The Senate resumed the consideration of
the Presidents annual message
Mr.. Fitch Of Indiana said if the election
took place in Kanzas yesterday, congressional
action on the subject would soon be required
that is, assuming there were no frauds
which would vitiate the election. lie did not
desire to read Mr.. Douglas out of the Demo
cratic party, but he would say that man
might, by his own voluntary act, either by
promoting discord in the party, or by some
other means, place himself beyond the pale
ofthe party organization. He was in favor of
admitting Kanzas with whatever constitution
she might present here, provided it be Re-
publican in form.
Mr. Douglas SAID in reply According to his
own showing, MIR. Fitch differed from the
President, and yet the Senator from Indiana
had charged him with faction. II differing
from the President was faction, that Senator
had double the amount of faction with him
self. He had not become the mere servile
tool of any President, so as to feel himself
bound to take every recommendation without
examining to see whether it met his approba-
tiOu vi uuG' II D6luOGFallc p6udbOIS anu tIlS
President would stand by the Cincinnati
platform, there would be harmony between
them all and himself He said call it fac
tion-call it what you please; l intend to
stand by the Nebraska bill, to stand by the
Cincinnati platform, to stand by the organ
ization and principles of the Democratic par
ty, and defy opposition, from whatever quar-
ter it may come. He predicted that before
the lapse of sixty days, he would be in har-
mony with those who were most relied upon
now to crush him and the principles of the
Nebraska bill, ia the admission of the Lecomp-
ton constitution. He looked on the constitution
as a fraud upon the rights of the people,
and with or without slavery, he was opposed
to the whole concern. He did not know the
object of all these attacks upon him. Perhaps
his opponents thought they could worry him
out, but he would tell them that if he found
his strength failing, he would go off and re-
cruit his energies, and come back and take
raking fire at the whole of them Qaughter).
During conversational debate between
Mr.. Douglas and MIR. Fitch, the former, in
order to sustain his previous remark, that he
could not place much confidence in the re-
turns from the election, which was held yes
terday said the convention had declared null
and void all the laws Furnishing fraudulent
returns, and stated in addition, that the Off
GERS of the army, who were present in Lee
compton at the time, informed him that the
very man who was known to have perpetrated
the Oxford frauds, was elected clerk of the
convention by reclamation, upon the ground
that his services in johnson county entitled
him to such consideration.
Mr.. Clay thought the remarks of Mr..
Douglas calculated to do great justice to the
convention. He read tbs 18th section of the
schedule, that all the officers shall be sworn
to faithful performance of their official du-
ties, and, on failure thereof, be subject to the
same pains and penalties as are provided in
like cases under the territorial laws.
Mr.. Stuart said that it was true that the
constitution has such provision, but it was
equally true that the acting government said
there is no law in Kanzas Furnishing frauds
in making returns.
Mr.. Clay inquired whether the ipse dixit
of the Government was to prevail over the
law
Mr.. Douglas replied that the clause which
the Senator from Alabama had read was in
the copy of the constitution published in the
National LinelHgeacer, but in that published
in the Union, which, it is said, was furnished
by the President, that clause was not
to be found. He (Douglas) would not
pretend to account for this variance, unless
the convention adjourned without putting the
Constitution into form, and perhaps the In
tslligenUer was furnished with revised copy,
and the Union printed that document as it
was before the convention. Whether so or
not, it does not place the matter under the
Territorial laws, where there were penalties
for fraudulent returns.
Mr.. Clay said MIR. Douglas was mistaken,
for he read from the schedule as published in
the Union.
MIR, Douglas proposed TO look into the mat
ter. Ii he should discover that he was mis-
taken, he would publicly acknowledge it.
The further consideration OF the subject was
then postponed.
Adjourned.
/ HOUSE.
The consideration of the Treasury Note bill
| was resumed.
Mr.. Grow opposed the issuing of an ire
deemable paper currency. There being moth
ing in the Treasury to redeem the issue, it
would add to the evils which now prevail.
He favored loan, which would bring forth
| the twenty millions of coin from secret re-
cesses, unemployed and waiting for safe
| investment,
MIR. Smith of Virginia argued to show that
| these notes were not IN the nature of bank
notes. The bill in effect proposed loan. In
reply to Mr.. Grow, he said the position of
that gentleman was an apt illustration of the
old adage, that one apostate Christian is
worse that ten Turks. (Laughter)
Mr.. Grow-Do you not consider my views
on currency good democracy?
Mr.. Smith, congratulate the gentleman
| on that single remnant of his past Democratic
career. (Laughter.)
Mr.. Grow-You consider me sound on ev-
erything but that the Territories should be
occupied by white men instead of black men.
! CLaughter.)
Mr. SMITH judge the gentleman's dem
ocracy by his associates.
Mr.. Richie of Pennsylvania (Mr. Smith
having alluded to him) said the President, in
his message, merely spoke as to the necessity
of small loan, and Of hard money, but the
/ report of the Secretary of the Treasury showed
demand for $50, 100000 Of Treasury notes.
Was he not justified the other day in saying
that there were two sets of Democrats
in favor of specie, and the other of paper.
Mr.. Houston OF Alabama called Mr.. Richie
! to order
The latter continued to speak excitedly
meanwhile, amid much confusion.
Mr.. Houston-I did hear. want the gen.
tleman to repeat his threat. (Sensation.)
Mr.. Richie made no threat l only said
thar J. occupied the floor by the courtesy of
the gentleman from Virginia, and denied the
right Of the gentleman from Alabama to call
| me to order.
| Mr.. Smith said the gentleman from Penn
| sylvania had only made a dig at the Demo.