The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-12-11

alties for such corrupt approached, and told
him be had mistaken his man.
Wendell, in reply, solemnly protested
against such charges based on valuless
author. If the charges wer properly pre-
ferrcd, he would promptly reiute them
lie had never, directly or indirectly, employ
cd any penon or agent to act for him.
Mr.. Clemens, having finished reading the
correspondence, said he had never seen Wen
dell to his knowledge, and had no purposes
to accomplish other than faithful dischrge
of his public duties. lie was constrained
from exposing the name CT the scoundrel
who approached hin, on account Of the mans
family. who should not he coniounded with
the guilty. lie accepted the statement OF
Wendell, 70 far rs his denial Of all compile.
ity or knowledge Of such proposition was
concerned.
Mr.. Smith Of Va, oFerd o resolution for
the appointment Of committee to cxamine
into the subject Of the Public Printing and
providing that the election Of printer be
postponed until their report DO made. lie
said It was believed that enormous corrup.
ton was connected with this matter, and
hence the necessity Of IN inycstigation.-l
The profits were probably $1,000, 600 and
printer who might DO elected to-day,
could get quarter Of q million for his con-
tract. d
Mr.. Clingman said, electa printer FIST,
and afterwards investigate.
MIR. Houston, who had moved to proceed
to the election Of priter said he would
agrceto that. !
Mr.. Smith Of Tenn.-I am fast friend OF
Mr.. Wendell and state On his authority that
he abides by the decision OF the caucus, and
supports the nominee.
Mr.. Keitt of s. C., said he did not 60 in.
to the caucus, but would vote for the nomi
nee, because that gentleman suited him.
The debate WIS here interrupted by the
reception Of the Presidecs' Message, which
was read.
Mr.. Bocock of Va appealed to the House
to complete its organization by the election
of Public Printer. Then he would join
with Others in ferreting out extra,lgancc and
corruption.
Mr.. Grow Of Pa, advised the House to
begin the reform in the printing here, by
curtailing the enormous expenditures which
had created our government into q rival
ofall the book establishments in the country.
The book which were sent out by Congress.
sional authority were not worth the paper
they were printed on.
Without concluding the discussion on the
subject, the House adjourned
WASHINGTON, Dec. Q.
SEyArr-Tn the Senate Mr.. Pugh gave
notice ofa bill for the improvement Of the
navigation Of the Ohio.
A resolution was passed inviting the
Clergymcn OF tho district to oficiate grltuit-
ously rs Chaplains of tho Senate.
Mr.. Gwin gave notice Of his intention to
introduce bills for the construction Of u
Northern, Southern and Central Pacific
Railroad, also, bill TO organize the Terri.
tory of Arizona.
Mr.. Douglass said that yesterday he was
under the impression that the President had
approved the action of the Lecompton Con-
yention, and while under that impression,
he felt il his duty to state that while he con
CURED in the general views of the Message,
yet 30 far rs it did approve or endorse the
action OF that Convention, no entirely dis.
sented from it, and he would avail himself
Of an early opportunity to give his reasons
for such dissent. Upon more careful and
critical examination Of the message, he was
rejoiced Ia find that the President had not
entirely approved Of the action Of that Con.
yention. lie was also rcjoiced to find that
the President had not recommended that
Congress should pass laws receiving Kansas
into the Union rs u State under the Consti-
tuition formed at Lecompton. True, the
tone of the Message indicates the willing.
ness of the President to sign any bill that
Congress might pass for receiving Kansas rs
State under that Constitution, but IL wa
u very significant fact, that tho President
had RETAINED from any endorsement OF the
Constitution, and any recommendation rs to
the course which Congress should pursue in
regard to Kansas. Indeed, the President
: had expressed deep modification and disaP
, pointmcnt that the whole Constitution was
, not submitted to the people of Kansas for
their acceptance or rejection. lie proceeded
|, to show that Congress could not properly re.
ceivc Kansas into tho Union under the To-
compton Constitution, as not only the slave
~ question, but all Others must be submit.
ted to the people Of Kansas, as they are
guaranteed to'establish oil their domestic in
situations for themselves. On this princi.
! pie the whole Constitution must be submit.
ted to ascertain whetherit meets with their
appreciation.
Mr.. Douglass contended that the people Of
Kansas ought to have an opportunity to vote
against tho Constitution, II they choose to
do so. lie compared the proposed mode OF
voting on the Lecompton Constitution to
the freedom of election in Paris, when Louis
Napoleon pas chosen. The reason assigned
why the people should not be allowed TO
vote on its acceptance was, that IL they had
chance they would vote it down by an
overwhelming majority. IIc believed il
was clear violation Of tho organic act. to
force an obnoxious Constitution upon them.
When Mr.. Douglass concluded there wasap.
plausc from the galleries.
Mr.. Bigler then replied to Mr.. Douglas
saying, that the Convention was called ac-
cording to law and had been recognized by
the President and Governor Of th +, Territory;
1t was then right to submit the Constitution
to the people without such Submission. III
1t was right in itself-.rcpublican IN form,
and the people had fairly decided the slavery
question-it would not DO his wish to keep
them out Of the Union simply because the
whole Constitution had not been submitted
to them. To do 10 would be inconsistent
with the doctrine Of non.ntervcntion. There
was nothing in the past history Of the coun.
try to justify such course. IL would he
the duty of Congress to look ut the ques-
ton rs il come before them, and TO do the
best they could, looking to the happiness of
the entire country. lie had long been un.
der the impression that It would be best for
the Union and Kansas that tho State should
DO admitted at tho first allowable opportu.
nifty. In order 70 localize the strife, he
would have preferred that the whole Con-
stitution had been submitted to the people
but persons outside Of the territory have no