Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1857-01-17
CONGRESSIONAL.

SENATE, Jan. 6, 1857.
Mr.. Cass called the Senate to order, and an
nounced that the first business in order was the
election OF a President pro tenn.
Mr.. Hale-Whatis the occasionf
Mr.. C~ass-Because we haven't any. (Laughter).
On the motion of Mr.. Hunter the Senate pro-
ceeded to the election. when Mr. Mason was elect
ed, receiving 80 votes; Foote, IL; Weller, l; blank,
two.
HousE.-Mr, Stephens (Ga.) resumed the discus
sion of the Presidents message, of course defend
ing that document. lie took the ground that the
repeal Of the Missouri Compromise was done in
effect by the compromise measures of 1850, and
that now there was no Congressional restriction
upon Slavery in any of the Territories. He would
like to see Kansas admitted ss n Slave State. but
thought such an event is not at ali probable. The
laws of population would prevent it.
Mr.. DAVIS Md made an elaborate speech to
piove that the present administration had been
condemned by the people; that MIR Buchanan was
in a minority before the country, and had still to
battle for u majority in the House. A death wound
had been inflicted upon the Democratic party; it
had been more than scotched, and now wriggle on
to final dissolution. Mr.. Davis paid his respects
to the Republican party, the dissolution of which
was sure to follow the admission of Kansas, wheth-
er with or without Slavery.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 9.
- "a SShi"NS h'NhJs %hi. SO'"ta
u bill to expedite telegraphir communication, for
the use of government in its foreign intercourse.
1t authorized the Secretary of State, under di
IectiCn Of tho President, to contract with any COM
petent association, for the aid Of government on
extending u line across the ocean to Ireland from
New Foundland. and On such terms and conditions
as shall seem just and reasonable, provided the
Government of England shall enter into a similar
contract with the sam parties. Referred to the
p. o. Committee.
Jan. l0.-HDuse.-The speaker announced the
Select Committee to investigate the alleged charges
of corruption, 70 consist of Messrs. Kelsey, Orr,
Davis of Md, Ritche, and Warner.
Mr.. Grow said he had had for two or three
weeks. a petition signed by 1900 voters of Kansas,
demonstrating against the right of Mr.. Whitfield.
to n seat as delegate from that territory. He had
been informed that a large number similar to this,
were on their way, and asked To have read the pc
titiOn of Mr.. Reeder, setting forth the reasons for
~contestin : Mr.. Whitfield S seat. Objection being
made, the papers were referred to the Committee
on Elections. Mr.. Reeder denies the right of Mr..
Whitfield and claims it for himself, setting forth
the reasons for this assertion. lie says that him
self and Mr.. Whitfield were candidates at two sep
arate elections, when he and Mr.. Reed received
more than double the number of legal votes cast
for Mr.. Whitfield. Upon a full Investigation of all
the facts. the House rejected Mr. Whitfield but re-
fused to admit Mr.. Reeder. The reasons for this
are set forth in the report Of the Kansas Investi-
eating Committee. Without new legislation, and
under the same state of things, Mr.. Whitfield be-
came a candidate for the single session of the
same Congress. at an election held in October last,
entirely without any authority of law.
A large majority of the legal voters refused to
participate, preferring to recognize a voluntary
election. The question having already been adjus-
ted by the House, the persons who did participate
in that irregular and unauthorized election, were
IA small number of the voters of the Territory, less
than those who voted at the voluntary election
in October, 1855. and II large number of
non residents of the Territory and persons
not entitled to vote; of the result of the
election only Mr.. Whitfield had been admitted to
and now occupies his seat in this House. 1t was
without a semblance of color of law. Other
reasons are also stated and in conclusio n he con
tends that a voluntary irregular election unauthor.
ICED by the statute, is an insufficient title to a seat.
Mr.. Whitfield should be rejected, and as his ad-
mission will be seen, to indicate that the House
are disposed to reconsider their decision upon
this point. Mr.. Reeder claims to be entitled to 4
seat in preference to said Whitfield, inasmuch as
he was electel for the wboleCongress at an election
more formal and more legal than that of 1855, and
that his admission is asked for by petitions from
a large number of the citizens of Kansas, now be-
fore the House. All the matters of fact are set fotrh
in the petitions necessary in the opinion of the
House, for any committee appointed for the pur-
pase