The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-04-15
THIRTY-FIFTH CONGRESS-,
FIRST SESSION.
Tuesday, april 6, 1853.
SENATE.

HiR lr W ~ u n y
FIRST SESSION.
1 Tuesday, april 6, 1853.
/ SENATE
After the regular morning business, Mr.. Stu
art, OF Michigan, rose to question of privilege
He learned that the decision of the Senate O,
Friday last, in refusing to concur with the Kan
sas bill of the House of Representatives, had no
yet been communicated to the latter body ant
on inquiry of the Secretary, he had furthe
learned that the matter was held in suspens
at the will of Senator from Louisiana, [Mr
Shdell, on the plea that. he might wish to NOV,
for reconsideration of the vote by which tn,
Senate had reached its decision on that day
M such motion to reconsider having been mad,
by Mr.. Slidell, it seemed to him (Mr. Stuart
! that the public business was improperly OBJ
structed in the premises and he therefore moved
that the Secretary be directed forthwith to exc
cute the order of the Senate.
Mr.. Slidell stated that, for reasons satisfaction,
to himself, he had filed an application with tn.
Secretary, asking that he should hold the reso
luton adopted by the Senate on Friday las
subject to motion for reconsideration during
the three days authorized by rule of the Sen
ate. In making this request, he did but asser
a right which he understood to belong to hin
as Senator.
Mr.. Stuart contested this right, under tn,
construction given to it by Mr.. Slidell, ant
argued to show that in the present case it wa
used to ebstruct the legitimate course of tn,
public business, since he Mr.. Sidell had failed
to avail himself of the privilege in whose nam,
this alleged right was asserted. He had haG
the opportunity to move for reconsideration
yesterday, and had it now, but omitted to in
prove it. 1t seemed, therefore, that the Sena
tor from Louisiana was arbitrarily exercising
a control over the Senates proceedings, which
was not admissible on considerations of ripht.
MIR. Bsyard defended the right of Mr.. Slidel
- mako tho nFfiAAt.or, ~ s,1osts --L:ui. tie
thought was in conformity with the rules of the
Senate, and, in the present case, could do nc
injury, as there was no imperative necessity for
any extraordinary dispatch in expediting the
order of the Senate
MIR. Douglas could not concede the claim OF
MIR. Slidell on any principle of right as it did
not appear that there was any intention actually
to exercise it for the purpose of moving q re-
consideration
| Mr.. Fitzpatrick, as Vice President pro ten,,
announced that he was responsible for the de,
lay of the Secretary in transmitting the decis.
ion of the Senate upon the Kansas bill He
had learned that Senator was entitled, by
usage as well as right, to the privilege claimed
by Mr.. Slidell, and he had therefore directed
the Secretary to retain the order of the Senate
subject for three days to the motion of the Sen.
ator.
| After further remarks, by Messrs. Bright,
Crittenden, Seward, Hale, and others, the whole
subject was laid over FOR the consideration OF
the Minnesota bill, which was next taken up
Mr.. Fitch aud Mr.. Douglas made personal
explanations ss TO their respective zeal in
pressing the claims of MINES sofa for an early
admission into the Union.
Mr. Kennedy, in brief argument, recited
his objections to the Constitution of Minneso
ta-objections which he founded on it's recog.
milton of alien suffrage, and which were in his
Judgment go weighty that he should be con-
strained to vote against her admission under
that instrument. he regarded these provisions
IN favor of alien suffrage as violatve of the
Constitution of the United States, and as pre-
judicial to the rights and interests of the
South-tending as they do to destroy the equili-
brium between that section and the North he
quoted copionsy from O speeoh delivered by
mr. Calhoun in support of his positions.
Mr.. johnson, of Tennessee, thought Mr..
Kennedy's exceptions on this head were not
well taken, and that the admission of his views
respecting the right of suffrage would prove
subversive of all State sovereignty. 1t was for
the States along to pronounce who should ex-
ercise the right of suffrage within their limits.
Without coming to any vote upon the bill,
the Senate adjourned at four o'clock. III.
HOUSE. II.
The deficiency bill was discussed in Com.
mit.ee of the Whole throughout the sitting OF
four hours and half. The bill was defended
BY Messrs. Phelps of Missouri, Underwood of
Kentucky, Nichols of Ohio, Dowdell of Ala
bsma, and Davidson of Louisiana; and Cd.
posed by Messrs Jones of Tennessee, Grow of
Pennsylvania, Houston of Alabama, Sherman
of Ohio, Garnett of Virginia, Mason of Ken.
lucky, Seward of Georgia, Burnett of Ken.
tucky, Taylor of Louisiana, and Tappan of
New Hampshire.
Just previous to the adjournment, Mr.. Letter,
of Ohio, introduced a substitute for the dill re.
ported by Mr.. Goode, frora he Committee on
the district or Columbia, establishing an aux
iliary guard in this city, which was ordered to
be printed, and referred to the Committee of
the Whole. The chief point Of difference be
tween the bill and the substitute is, that the
latter appoints three police eommissioners-
Messrs. Walter Lenox, John A. Linton, and
Richard Wallach, are named-who are to ap-
point and manage the guard, receiving there.
for $4,000 each per annum the commissioners
TO hold Office two years, and TO be elected By
joint resolution of Congress.
The general debate on the deficiency bill
having been closed, that bill will prohsfl be
disposed of to day, when t3s bill to establish
the au!iliaSy gaaro win become the special
ORDER