Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-03-17
Question OF veraci,y Int the U. $. senate

~DacOO-
Question of Veracity inthe U. $. Senate.
During his speech on Saturday, in the
United States Senate on the Kansas bill, Mr..
Wade alluded to the bill of Mr.. Toombs, say
ing that he had y curious history about that.
A clause, he said, was originally attached to
that bill providing for the submission Of the
constitution to the people OF Kansas, but
when, forwards, 1t was debated by the com
mittee on territories, at the house Of their
chief, it was stricken out.
A Senator-For peculiar reasons.
Mr.. Wade.--For very peculiar reasons.
Messrs. Stuart and Green and others here
rose when Mr. Wade, correcting himself, said
he had Just been informed it might not have
been debated by the committee on territories,
but by other gentlemen.
Several Senator'S here stated their impress
sion as to the existence or nOn-exlstence OF
such clause 10 the original draft OF the bill.
Most of them believed that it did not COL
tam such clause.
Mr.. Mason, of Virginia, here internosed a
sta tement of the facts. When the Senator
from Illinois, az chairman Of the committee
ON territories, reported the bill since called
the enabling act, it contained clause for the
submission OF the constitution to the people
The Senator from Georgia. two months after
wards, introduced bill Of like character, con
tanning no such clause. Both bills were sent
back to the committee on territories, the
chairman of which subsequently reported
the bill which afterwards passed the Senate.
Mr.. Bgler, OF Pennsylvania, here rose,
considerably agitated, and amid some contu-
sion cccasioned by Senators requesting Mr..
Wade to 90 on, said that he regretted that u
personal defence of himself had again been
forced upon him. What he said when this
question cane up some weeks ago he now re-
iterared. See proceedings December -
He did not say that the distinct proposition
of su omission of the constitution to the peo-
pie was discussed, but did say on the oc-
cason referred to that the impression was
conveyed to his mind that the intention OF
the Toomhs bill was to bring Kansas into
the Union by one popular vote, that one be-
ing the vote for delegates for convenuon.-
Mr.. BIgler again referred TO his integrity,
saving that be represented proud and nc
bic people. lie reiterated the statement that
the impression left on his mind was clear that
Kansas was to be brought in with one vote
and that the constitution was not to be sub.
United 10 the people.
Mr.. Wilson, of Massachusetts, asked the
Senator if he did not make a speech IN kan-
sas last summer advocating the submission ol
the constitution to the people?
Mr.. Bigler--That is very impertinent.
have not been in the habit Of making speech
O. on X ,nsas. Once | did address the rec-
pie on Kansas, when | said the constitution
should be submitted to vote, but had no
question in view except that of slavery.
Mr.. Brodcrick moved that Dir Douglas he
sent for, or that the Senate adjourn the fur.
Their consideration of the subject until Mon
dsy. He remembered very well the circum-
stances when this matter came up before
The Senator from Pennsylvania then said
that be did not have very distinct recollec-
ton of it, but thought such discussion as
alluded to had taken place, when the Senator
from Illinois denied it.
Mr.. Bigler.--IIe did not.
Mr.. Broderck-M impression, sir.
MIR. Bisler.-Your impressions are wrong,
sir. lie was careful and guarded IN the
statements be made. The Senator from Cal
ifurnia seeks to place this matter IN false
view before the Senate.
Mr.. Broderick. My memory must be We
nv treacherous il the Senator from PcnnsyI-
vania is correct lie hoped the Senate would
adjourn. When the Senator from Illinois IL
in his place, we shall know whether the Sen
ator from Pennsylvania is correct or not
NV impression Is that he did deny It. lie
thought from the tremOr that the Senator
(Bigler) exhibited when he rose that he was
about to take back all he said.
Mr.. Pugh, of Ohio, thought he could re-
leve the Senator from Pennsylvania of some
of his mbarrassment-hy stating that wheh
the matter first came up, be, as the lrienu OF
both the gentlemen from Pennsylvania and
Illinois. had brought them together, and his
impression was that Mr.. Biger was correct,
and that the conversation alluded to trans
pired in another part of the ROOM where the
Senator from Illinois did not hear it.
MIR. Bigler.-What the Senator from Ohio
says is perfectly correct. 1t may be remem-
bsred that be (Bigler) distinctly stated on
former occasion tnat be did not know whetb-
er the Senator from Illinois participated in
The discussion. For the rest, 1t did not be
come the Senator from California to describe
the manner referring to his Mr.. Bigler'sl
tremor) in which be made the explanation.
Mr.. Broderick owed it to the Senate and
to the Senator from Illinois ~ state that
some DAYS since when it was understood that
the Senator from New Hampshire intended
70 sllude tn this matter, the Senator from IL
linnis intimated be would denounce the state
ment on this floor as falsehood, if the Sena,
tor did not qualify It,
MIR. Bieler.--NothiDg Of the kind il on
record. The Senator from Illinois said no
such thing.
Mr.. Broderick.-So this is question of
verscity?
The Vice-President reminded the Senator'S
to keep within the legitimate limits Of de-
bate
Mr.. Bigler.-The Senator from Illinois
never said any such thing. lie is not man
whc would do so. Dsnounce what, sir, as a
falsehood?- impression on my mind that
Kansas was to be admitted without popular
voter
MIR. Broderick Senator from Hi
nois is sick 10 bed. If he ever takes his seat
again, the Senator (Bgler) will be replied TO,
Aud all of this amounts to just nothing