Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-12-18
TuIRTY-FIFTH CONGREss-.1st Session.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1856.
SENATE

SENATE.
A resolution was adopted, that the Senate to NOR
row proceed to the election of a printer.
On motion Of Mr.. Gwin a resolution was adopted
calling on the Presipent for all the correspondence
| between the departments and the present GoveLno
of Kansas, together with all orders aud Instruction
which have been issued to the said officer.
Mr.. Allen unlimited q resolution that the standing
committees be arranged as follows. THE came al
published in the Enquirer" on Wednesday,.
The list was then agreed to-yeas 81, nays Is.
Mr.. Green then made a speech in reply to MIR
Douglas on Kansas affairs.
MIR DOUGLASS said that the Senator from Missouri
seemed ~ have inexperienced his Dir. Douglass,
position, and he would briefly correct him, in one OF
two points. First, he did not regard it as a fatal OBJ
lection that there WAS no enabling act in advance
Secondly, he did not take the position that 1t was q
fatal objection that the Constitution was not submit
led to the people before it was sent to Congress TOR
acceptance.
The position he did assume was that the regular
mode of proceeding.i is by an enabling act, but II q
Territorial Legislature proceeds to call a convention
without the consent Of Congress, that 10 irregular,
but not 80 irregular that il necessarily follows that all
its proceedings are vitisted. The Lecompton Con
veution was not an unlsw full body aud might send q
petition TO Congress, but il was not a convention u'
thorized to establish a government per Itself. NO
constitution could be considered republican which
did not embody the will of the people who are to be
governed by il; and was not formed by their action
He agreed with the President that the best mode
was to refer it 10 the people, but that he could NOT sa'
init that q Constitution forced on a people against ineir
will was a republican Constitution. lfthls was done
he feared that an increase of the army and navy would
be necessary, and he besought Senators to pause De-
fore they committed themselves 10 such q fatal error.
MFR. Green responded, denying that the people OF
Kansas would be compelled TO retain their coostitu.
ton till 1864, and he argued that a convention could
be called At any time TO make a change.
The further consideration Of the subject was post
poned till Monday, and the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
This House met in the new HslI pursuant to 1880.
luton.
A communication was received from the o%lergymen
of Washington rendering their services 10 open the
daily sessions ot Congress with prayer.
Amid much confusion the members proceed to &C.
lect their seats by lottery.
Mr.. Stewart presented thu memorial OF Mr.. Brooks,
of Baltimore, and Mr.. Bowie presented tho memorial
of Mr.. Whyte, of the same city, contesting the elec-
ton of Henry Winter Davis and j. Morrison Harris.
They were referred to the COMMITTEES on elections.
The committee on printing having read a report
recommending the printing OF an extra NUMBER Oh
the Presidents message and the accompanying
mir. Cox or ONO. made a speech against the LIE.
compton movement, and said that the attempt TO
furce the Constitution on an unwilling people was q
iugple and a fraud. He contended that the entire
Constitution should be submitted to the people lie
characterized the delegates to that Convention as go
many Catalines attempting TO subjugate the rights OF
the people.
Mr. Hughes of Indiana, deprecated discussion thus
early OH the subject of Kansas. H. did not seem TO
think that the gentleman's position was well chosen as
TO popular sovereignty.
twenty thousand extra copies Of the Presidents
message and accompanying documents We're ordered
to be printed.
A resolution was adopted looking to the making Of
improved arrangements for the accommodation VI
reporters.
The House then adjourned.