Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-03-12
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON. Monday, March

WASHINGTON, Monday, March9.
SENATE.-Mr. Wade presented a
resolution by the Legislature of Ohio il
favor of recognizingth the independence Of
Liberia.
Mr.. Seward offered a list of the stand
ing Committees, and moved its adoption
He said that a majority of the Senators
had, after consultation, decided upon the
number of persons they would claim on
the Committees, and the order in which
they should be placed. This majority
bcrs of the Senate, excepting those who
belong to the Republican party, of which
he was a member. They had agreed
upon a list for nomination, leaving the
minority to fill the vacancy. and the Re
publicans had done so. Although the
proportion of the Republicans on the
committees is unjust, still they have
been compelled by the necessity of the
case to acIuiesce.
Mr.. Trum5ull said that the Republi-
cans, being one third of the members of
the Senate, have only seven members on
the committees, and he could have no
part or lot in the list thus formed.
Mr.. Fessenden remarked that a fair
and Just distribution had not been made
among the Republicans. The commit
tees on Commerce AID Iul:&n Affair."
contain each but one Of that party. "a
Mr.. Mason replied that ~pariiamcnta-
ry usage and political, gave the party,
responsible for the measures before the
Senate, the control of the committees
But there was strict propriety in giving
the minority Il chance to be heard.
Mr.. Crittendcn said that he did not
belong to the high contracting parties,
and therefore could have nothing to do
with the arrangement.
The committees were adopted.
Mr.. Trumbull moved that all papers
in the Indiana contested election cases
be referred to the Committee on Judi
ciary.
Mr.. Bright did notdcsire thatany dis
position be made Of these papers which
would lead the public to suppose that he
and Mr.. Fitch had avoided an cxamina-
ton of the case. The Senate has not
time to consider the subject this session.
and he should consent to a reference
with the understanding TINT the matter
should 90 over to the next session.
Mr.. Trumbull could not consent to
such an understanding. The matter
should be disposed of this session.
Mr.. Fitch agreed in the views cx press
ed by his colleague.
Mr.. Seward thought it would be for
the Committee of Judiciary to determine
whether this question be determined du-
ring this, or postponed until the next
session.
Mr.. Butler had no doubt that this
would prove a controversy of full inter
est, and asked that the Committee Of Ju-
dietary meet tomorrow at ten o'clock,
to decide what should be done with the
papers. Referred to the Committee on
Judiciary.
On motion of Mr.. Bigler, the protest
of the Democratic members of the Penn
sylvau;a Legislature against Caucron's
right to a seat, was referred to the Com
mittee on Judiciary.
Mr.. Crittenden offered the following
resolutions, of which he will ask a con
sideration at a future day:
RcsoIrcd, That. in the Judgement of
the Senate Il complete exemption of all
vessels of and their cargocs
from seizure or capture in time of war,
would be a signal blessing to mankind,
and that to the accomplishment of an
end so desirable, the Senate will always
be ready to give their hearty aid and co
operation.
Resoloed, That the mere abolisling Of
privateering would not accomplish that
end, but would in its operation be une-
quail and unjust, depriving the United
States Of 4 most effectual means Of hos
tility and .retaliation against a superior
naval power, which, By the means of its
creator number of public ships, might
almost with impunity destroy or cripple
our commerce, and, therefore, such abo-
lition alone would BIO inconsistent with
the policy and interest of the United
States.
ResoEred, That this policy of the Uni
ted States, coinciding with the general
interest of mankind, is well explained
and vindicatcd in the statesman-like let
ter of the American Secretary of State,
Mr.. Marcy, to the Count de Sartcgcs, of
July %, 1856; therefore
Rcsofoed, That the course pursued by
President Pierce, as showed in his last
annual message, in reference to certain
rules or principles of maritime law in
time Of war. agreed upon and declared