The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-12-14
Congressional
WASHINGTON. Monday. Dec

SENATE The Senate was called to
order at half-past one o'clock P. NJ. by
the Vice President; prayer was thon
made by DR.. Gurley. Forty.eight Sena'
tors were present.
The absentees were Messrs. Benjamin,
Clay, Cri,tenden, Davis, Douglas, Fitch.
Fitzpatrick, Hammond, johnson, of Ar
kansas, Polk, Sebastian, Seward. and
Toombs.
Mr.. Mason, of Virginia, submitted a
resolution, which he would call up to-
morrow, for the appointment of com
mittee to inquire into the facts attending
the late invasion and seizure of the ar
mory and arsenal at Harper's Ferry. by
band of armed men, and report wheth-
er the same was attended by armed rea
sistance to the authorities and pubic force
of the United States, and the murder of
any citizens Of Virginia, or any troops
sent there to protect public property;
whether such invasion was made under
color Of any organization intended to sub
vert the government of any of the States
of the Union; the character and extent
of such organization; whether any citi-
zens Of the United States not present
were implicated therein or accessory there
to by contributions of arms, money, mu-
nitions or otherwise; the character and
extent of the military equipment in the
hands or under the control of said armed
band; where, how and when the same was
obtained and transported to the place in,
vaded; also, to report what legislation, if
any, is necessary by the Government for
the future preservation OF the peace of the
country and the safety of public property
The committee to have full power to send
for persons and papers.
The customary resolutions were adopt
ed to inform the House of Representa-
tives and the President that the Senate is
ready for business.
The Senate then adjourned.
HoUsE.--The interest in the organizas
tion of the House is. if possible. on the
increase Long before noon the gale
-ies were densely filled, and crowds were
unable to obtain admittance.
Mr.. Allen, the Clerk of the last House,
called the House to order at noon.
The roll was called and two hundred
and thirty one members answered to their
names. The absentees were Messrs.
Stallworth and Landrewn, of Alabama,
Brown and Adams, of Kentucky, Hind
man and Russ, of Arkansas, and Hamil-
ton, of Texas
On motion of Mr.. Phelps the House
agreed to proceed to the election Of q
Speaker. viva coce.
Mr.. Houston nominated Mr.. Sherman,
of Ohio; Mr.. Adrian nominated Mr. Da,
Wis, of Indiana; Mr.. Haskin nominated
Mr.. Hickman, of Pennsylvania; Mr.. Ste
phens nominated Mr.. Grow, of Pennsyl.
vania. Mr. Briggs nominated Mr. Boet-
Ter, of Virginia.
First vote for SpeakeT-Sherman 66;
Bocock sc; Boetler IA; Davis 9; Phillips
/: Gilmer 2; Nelson S; Corwin l.: Hick.
man l; Hill l; Pennington /: Hasken 2;
Grow 43; Mcqueen 2; H. Clark l
No one having received majority Of
the votes cast, Mr.. Grow rose and said
GAS I desire in no way to retard the or.
ganizalion of the House, withdraw my
name as o candidate. q
Mr.. Clark. to make remarks. offered
the following:
"WHEREAs, Certain members of thi:
House. now in nomination for Speaker
did irdorse and recommend the book here.
matter mentioned; therefore,.
"Resolved, That the doctrines and sen.
timents of certain book, called the I'm.
pending Crisis Of the South, and Ho,c to
Meet 1t, purporting to have been written
by II r. Helper, are incendiary aud hos
tile to the domestic peace and tranquility
of the country, and that no member o.
this House, who recommended it or in,
eorsed it or the compend, is fit to be ;he
Speaker of this House." t5,
The reading of the resolution occa'
stoned applause from some of the North
ern members clappiog their hands.
Tuesday, Dec. 6.
The Senate discussed Mr.. Mason's
Harper's Ferry resolutions-the Repub
licans insisting on tacking amendments
to them extending the investigation tt
some of the Kansas outrages. No vote
was taken.
HOUSE The House consumed the da,
in discussing Mr.. Clark's resolution, with
out taking vote for Speaker.
Wednesday, Dec. I.
The Senate continued the discussion
of Mason's resolution, but adjourned with
ort oksop poon %