The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-02-21
IN CONGRESS OF THE U. STATES
Third session.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY al, 1857.
SENATE.



The PRESIDENT pro tenn laid before the Senate COM
fir ON the Postmaster General in compliance
with resolution of the Senate calling for Information in
relation the dead letters returned 10 the Post Office De-
parment during the years ending June 1855 and June
30 1856 which was read and on motion by Mr. DOUG
LAS, 1t wes referred 10 the Committee the Post Office
and Post Roads
MEMORIALS, PETITIONS, ETC.
Mr. YULEE presented papers in relation the claim of
the State Of Florida against the United States for expenses
incurred by that State account OF Indian hostes In
the year 1885, which referred to the Committee
Mr.. FEsSENDEN presented the memorial of Charles
Wilkes late commander of the South Sea exploring sxre-
dion praying Congress to order The printing of an addi
ona number of copies of the narrative OF that expedition
which was refer red TO the Committee the Library.
Mr.. DODGE presented petition Of citizens of Wscon-
sim praying the establishment Ut maroute from Mus
Committee ON the Post Office and Post Roads.
Mr. FISH presented the memorial of ]. W. Cochran,
prsyias tina. ne may be allowed opportunity to exhibit
anr explain before committee of the Senate an improve
ment made by him in the construction OF wrought iron
boilers ships buoys &c. without the Of Ses or bolts
which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs
Mr.. BIGLER presented the petition of Frederick A.
Bulen United States secretary of legation at Santiago,
Chilli praying that his salary Mt the time of his appoint
may be restored and that he may be allowed the
amount of the reduction made in HIS pay by the act Of
March, 1855; which was referred to the Committee on
Foreign Relations
Mr.. SLIDELL presented the petition of Brannon Patter
son, Co.. praying investigation in order for the re-
mission OF fines imposed for mail failures the Miss-
pp river caused by low water ice and fogs which was
referred TO the Committee on the Post Office and Post
Roads -
Mr.. JOHNSON presented the petition Of A. FIJI. White,
praying remuneration for his services as superintendent OF
the building occupied by the Interior Department which
was referred to the Committee on Finance
NOTICE OF BILL
Mr. WILSON gave notice that he should on Monday
next early day thereafter ask leave to Introduce
bill granting to the cities of Washington aud George
town five hundred thousand of land for the support
OF public schools In the benefits OF which the free nbab
itants shall equally share.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.
| Mr. WELLER, from the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tiona reported joint resolution amend the entitled
"An to regulate the diplomatic and consular systems
of the United Staes which was read and passed to
ond reading.
Mr. GREEN from the Committee on Pensions, to whom
referred the bill from the House of Representatives for
the relief OF Shadrack Rice of jackson county Virginia.
reported it without amendment and its pass
age.
Mr.. WRIGHT, from the Committee on Manufactures to
whom was referred resolution Of the Senate adopted
the last session. directing an inquiry to how far il would
be practicable and cxpedient for the employ
iron building material in the Of the vaI
GUS Pubic edibce', &c, submitted report in writing
TERRITORIAL BILLS.
Mr.. DOUGLAS moved that the Senate proceed to fhe
consideration OF the bill from the House OF Representative
to authorize the cupe of The Territory of Minnesota
form constitution and State government preparatory to
their admission into the Union an equal footing with
the original St0tcs which agreed to- and the bill
read.
Mr.. BIGGS moved to amend the bill by Inserting pro-
vision that but citizens of the United States shall be
entitled to vote in reference to the formation Of the cons
tuition and State government He said few words in ex-
PLANTATION of his motion remarking that he did know
put that the offering OF such aendm mt might subject
him to the suspicion of being tainted with
ism but whether this of the principles of the
American party not he decidedly 10 favor of
Inning the privilege OF voting to citizens Of the United
States either native CT natalized in the formation of all
| organic laws
Mr.. DOUGLAS replied to the remarks Of Mr. Bluas,
maintaining that the amendment improper one.
He showed that, in several instances persons had been
constituted citizens of rome of the States who not
citizens of the Uni.ed States
Mr.. BRODHEAD referred to the action of the Senate
and House Of Representatives the Nebraska bill The
Senate adopted an amendment proposed by Mr. Clayton
conhnng the right OF suffrage to citizens Of the United
states which the House struck out When the bill came
back to The Senate Mr. B. again moved to that pro-
visien In the BILL being the only northern member who
sustained that amendment from beginning to end--the
others who voted for it at first having yielded their
convictions this point in order to allow the bill to
PASS Hence he In favor of the present proposition
because he belived that the right of suffrage coexen
sye with the right Of citizenship He did not feel liberty
in defining the rights of voters 60 farther than the
sttnon OF his own State had gone; and that bad con-
lined the right OF suffrage to citizens of the United States
Mr.. BROWN expressed his hearty in what
had been sad by the senator from Pennsylvania. He
would never give his vote for any bill which authorized
aliens to vote in the admission Of States into the
Union He was confident that nobody would suspect him
OF having any sort of sympathy with the know-nohing
party: he despsed their doctrines much anybody
else but he liked justice and when foreigner had quail
fled himself according TO the laws of the country to
else the right of suffrage he would be the last interfere
with him in the exercise Of that right
Mr. BELL, OF Tennessee was in favor OF the amendment
and expressed his views at some length the general sub
ect of amendment in the naturalization laws and the
proper qualifications OF voters He would vote for such
modification in the existing naturalization laws pro-
vide additional securities and guards against the gross
abuses which had been practised under them.
Mr. DOUGLAS appealed to the Senate not to go into the
discussion of these general questions at length The whole
subject well understood by the Senate and they had
enough do to get through these territorial bills day
Unless they should waive this discussion it would be
cessary TO hold night session else lose bills of inn
portant character. @
Mr. MASON said that he should vote for the amendment
because he denied the principle that power ought be
delegated to the people OF Territory declare who shall
citizens of the Territory have the right 10 erect
themselves into independent State, which, by assoca-
ton with the other States of the Union should
share in the administration of the general government
Aftera State should have into the Union, If they
according thelaws of the Uned States well and good
He had jealousy of Foreigners he thought the natnrali
zaiion laws wse and would be disposed either
enlarge diminish the of Eve years required
but ne was unwilling to allow those who were ignorant
of our laws our institutions and habits to vote in
question of this kind,
Mr.. BlGGS advocated his amendment and Messrs.
TOUCEY, SEWARD, and WILSON opposed it.
Mr.. CRtTTENDEN regarded tho proposed amendment |
as emnenty just and proper and sustained 1t in few
marks.
Mr. CLAY concurred n tie views of the senator from
Kentucky and remarked that be felt it due to himself to
confess that he thought he erred in voting for the Kansas
Nebraska bill after the Clayton amendment had been struck
out in the House of Representatives
Mr. BUTI,ER hat he foo oted fort he vtonl