Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1858-02-11

SESATE-Mr. Davis introduced
bill for the relief of the officers and
soldiers Of the army who were station
ell at Fort Kcarney, Nebraska Terri-
tory, previous to March lst, 1853.
The House bills passed. to alter the
time of holding the T. s. Courts in
South Carolina. and for the payment
OF invalid and other pensions.
The unfinished business Of yesterday
was resumed.
Mr.. Wilson offered an amendment
to the motion to refer the Presidents
Kansas Message to the Committee on
Territories. similar to that submitted
yesterday by Mr.. Harris in the House.
Mr.. Trumbull desired to call up
question of privilege. namely. the re-
port of the Committee on Judiciary on
the contested seats of Messrs. Bright
and Fitch
Mr.. Bayard objected, thought the
Kansas question was of far more i'm
portanee, and ought FIRST to be settled.
as it involved considerations which
might perhaps affect the stability OF
the Union.
Mr.. Trumbull was of the opinion
assigned by Mr.. Bayard, was the very
best reason in the world for settling
the question of the right of these gen
tlemen to the seats they now occupied.
Ii the Kansas question be as important
as that which the Senator represented
it, the first thing is to determine who
has right to settle the question, and
it is so much more necessary that it
should be settled by senate properly
constituted. This contested election
has been pending for nearly a year, in
order to have an understanding. when
it should be disposed Of He moved
to make it the special subject for to-
morrow.
Mr.. Bayard replied if it were any
other gentlemen contesting the seats it
would present a different case, but
these members have taken their seats
under regular signed credentials, which
constituted prima facic evidence that
they were entitled TO them, aud mas
much as they represent tile public SEN
timent of Indiana, they ought to retain
their seats until the Kansas question
be disposed Of, even If there should
turn out to be Irregularities in the mode
of their elections.
Mr. Bright was anxious to have the
question settled as soon as possible
At first he could hardly believe the
Senator from Illinois was in earnest
in insisting that he and his colleague
were not entitled to the seats they oc-
cupied; but since that Senator had
presented the matter with such peril
nacity, he was ready and anxious to
meet the Investigation demanded
Mr.. Brown remarked, If the design
was to make this subject the special
order for tomorrow to the exclusion
Of all other business, he should inter
pose objections.
Mr.. Hale contended that, as it was
question of privilege, the Senate was
bound to consider and dispose of it.
If question of this kind could be
postponed by the action of the Senate,
what advantage had such question
over any other?
Mr.. Trumbull withdrew his motion,
but would renew it tomorrow.
The Presidents Kansas Message
was taken up.
Mr. Wilson attacked the Presidents
positions, stating that the history in
the Message was stupenduous and
gigantic misrepresentation of the ai-
fairs of Kansas. The President was
not in the country when the Nebraska
bill was passed; he was nominated for
the Presidency for that reason, in
order that he might be able to prove
an alibi.
Mr. Wilson denied the statement in
the Message that there had been a
party in the Territory setting defiance
to the Constitution Of the L. s. or
laws, and there had been no such party
or set of men there. While giving
his version of the history of Kansas
affairs, he said that Governor Walker
went there with the object of dividing
the Free State men. uniting Free State
men with the Pro Slavery men, so as
to make it Pro- Slavery Democratic
State; that was his mission, and no
man could have labored more faithful
ly, or more efficiently, TO accomplish
that object. He denounced the L.
compton Constitution, saying he
would rather have the Constitution
with Slavery, than without it, because
with Slavery it migth be abolished,
and without Slavery it was rendered
perpetual. 1t was a pcrversion Of
fact and truth in the President, or anv
body else, to charge that the people Of
Kansas, by voting for the election OF
officers under the Lecompton Constitu-
ton, intended in any way TO give their
sanction to it. They went to the bal
lot box on the 4th Of january to blot
out forever that Constitution. They
knew the people were against IL by an
overwhelming majority OF five or six
to one. They went to overthrow Cal
houn and his corrupt ininions in the
Territory, who have violated justice,
and stained their names by fraud. out
RACES and murder. The only way TO
do that was to elect men pledged
against the Constitution, and who
would come here. as they have, to ask
Congress and the country to reject as
fraud on the people Of Kansas. and
vet this act, fair AMI above board, is
proclaimed to the country and world.
The President misrePresents and
mistakes. We have had enough Of
this quibbling in Congress. without