Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-12-16
.Thir,r.6ah Cong lea 1st ses.i.SI..

called to order by the Secretary. The new Sen
ators were sworn i'm by Mr.. Bright, the aides
Senator present, and the Vice President bein
absent, Hon. Benjamin Fitzpatrick, OF Alabama
was chosen President pro tempore. The Reoub
liGan votes were concentrated on Senator Ham
| lin. The Senate subsequently confirmed tn
nomination of George W. Bowman, of Pennsyl
vania, as Superintendent of the Public Print
| ing.
Hous.-Two hundred and twenty-five mem
bers responded to the roll CALL A viva VOC
vote was taken for Speaker, when Hon. jaime
L. Orr, the Democratic candidate, Of 3. o., re
ceived one hundred and twenty eight votes
Hon. G. A. Grow, Republican, eighty -four votes
and thirteen for various other persons. The HOus'
proceeded with its organization by electing j
@. Allen of Illinois, Clerk A. J. Glossbrenner
of Pennsylvania, Sergeant alarms H. B. Hack
ney, of Virginia, Doorkeeper, aud NJ. w. Clus
key, of Georgia, Postmaster. After adopting
the rules of the last House with single amend
ment the House adjourned. %, i~Se
| TUESDAY, Senate The Presidents Message
was received and read. Mr.. Douglas expressed
his dissent from that portion Of the message re-
lating to Kansas and the action of the Leconp.
ton Convention and said ut an early day hes should
believed the people of Kansas had not been
left as the organic act declared, perfectly free tc
form and regulate their institutions in their OWL
way. baou i 3Is
Mr.. Stewart concurred in the views of Mr..
Douglas, respecting Kansas. He believed that
the principles of the Kansas and Nebraska act
had been violated by the Lecompton O0nven-
ton. .--f sii ia ,'isg.1 as ~ aah
Mr.. Davis, of Miss, was understood to con-
cur in the views of the President concerning
Kansas. .;sao9 .a sa ~. y 'isL
Mr.. Bigler said that after Mr.. Douglas should
make his promised remarks he should reply.
Mr.. Seward hoped the defenders Of the Presi-
dent would explain the latter's position as early
US possible. He regarded the Message as lame
and impotent. 1855. .tD-a
Mr.. Mason maintained that if he understood
the Presidents Message, the Presidents position
relative ~ the LecOmptUn movement was iin-
pregnable. . o1 inG
Mr.. Trumbull denied the authority of the Leg
islature OF Kansas to authorize the calling of the
Convention to frame Constitution. IL was on
act of usurpation, because there was no authors
ty to authorize the Convention. 800
Mr.. Brown. of Mississippi, appealed to Sena-
tors to sleep on this document before expressing
their opinion upon it. r. e-a. oei ~,
House-Mr. Clemens of Va, made personal
explanation in reference to the election Of public
printer. He said that on Saturday last lie was
approached BY an individual, who said Mr.
Clemens mother should receive pecuniary
consideration on either of two contingencies,
namely: that he should vote for Mr.. Wendell or
not vote at all. He said he was willing to take
Mr. Wende!l's disclaimer that he (Mr WendelD
never authorized nor had he any personal
knowledge of any person being employed to pro
cure votes for hun. rfi ta . .aa
Mr.. Smith, of Va, moved to postpone the cleo
tion of Public Printer, and to appoint commit
tee to examine into the subject. This proposal
gave rise to spirited debate. ,gi-,a1 ,1g
Pending this subject, the Presidents annual
message was received and read. The debate ON
the Printer was then resumed, and the House
adjourned without coming to conclusion upon
the subject. r1-. saf ea Ew tga
WEDNESDAY, Mason offered a
resolution, which was debated and passed. inVi.
ting the clergymen of the District to Officiate
gratuifousy as chaplains to the Senate.
Mr. Gwin gave notice of lis intention to in
troduce bills for the construction of the North
ern, Southern and Central Pacific Railroad. AL
so to organize the Territory of Arizona. The
Presidents message was taken up on motion OF
Mr.. Douglas, who made two hours speech on
the Kansas question, taking high ground against
the Lecompton movement. MI. Bigler replied
and sharp dialogue ensued between Mr. Doug
las and Mr.. Bigler. Alter executive session the
Senate adjourned.
House.-The House took up the election of
public printer. Mr.. Smith, OF Virginia, offered
a resolution appointing committee to examine
the subject of public printing rejected. Mr..
Steadman, of Ohio, was then elected by thirty
majority. An hour was occupied in drawing for
seats-adj onrDed
MISUNDERSTANDING. Douglas gave no
tice of his intention to introduce bill at an ear
Iy day to enable the people of Kansas to form a
Constitution and State Government, preparatory
to their admission into the Union.
After an Executive session the Senate adj
ljourned till Monday. -tt,r.a
House.-The Speaker appointed the Commit
tee to examine into the subject Of the public
printing, of which Mr.. Smith, Of Va, is chair
man.
Mr.. Dowdell offered resolution requesting
ministers of the Gospel residing in Washington,
alternately to open the daily sessions OF the
House with prayer. A debate resulted, during
which, in reply to the question, it was stated
that various ministers had rendered Their gratul
tous services. Tie resolution was adopted.
Adjourned till Monday. e