Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-12-14
OF NEWS.
Congress.

present at the meeting of Congress on Mon
day. The absentces were seven Southern
members; six Democrats and one Opposition.
A ballot for Speaker was had as soon as the
Heal was completed, which resulted as
follows: Mr.. Sherman of Ohio, Rep, ~receiv-
ed SO votes Mr.. Grow Of Pa, Rep, As; Mr..
Boteler of Va, Wing, IL; Mr.. Bocock of
Va, Dem, Sc and the balance scattering,
of which Mr.. Gilmer received 3. Mr.. Grow
then withdrew his name.
Those who voted for Mr.. Gilmer, were
Messrs. Boteler of Va, Davis and Harris of
Md.
Mr.. Clarke of Missouri offered the follow
ing resolution
WHEREAS, certain members of the House,
now in nomination for Speaker, have endors-
cd and recommended Helpers Impending
Crisis
ResoIUed, That the doctrines and senti-
ments contained in that book are incendiary
and hostile to the peace and tranquility of
the country, and that no member who has
endorsed and recommended it is fit to be
Speaker of this House.
Mr.. Clarke was proceeding to discuss this
resolution, but gave way, after repeated in
terruptions, for a motion to adjourn, which
motion prevailed at half past two o'clock.
On Tuesday, Mr.. Clarkfs resolution came
up and the DISCUSSION wasrenewed. Messrs.
Leake, Millsoh and Keitt, Of the South, spoke
in denunciation of the BOOB and its endorsers.
Messrs. Sherman and Curtis replied that as
Republicans they did not justify any inter-
ference in the relations of master and slave.
Mr.. Gilmer offered a proposition, ~reitera-
ting the declaration heretofore made by the
Wing and Democratic parties, that they would
frown down all attempts to agitate the sub
ject of slavery in or out of Congress.
Other speakers joined in the discussion,
and it was an exciting time, generally, in the
House. Nothing else occurred.
In the Senate, 48 members were present on
Monday.
Both Senators from North Carolina were
present.
The credentials of John c.. Ten Eyck, of
New Jersey, and Henry c.. Ham, of Califor-
mia, were presented, and both gentlemen ap-
peared and were qualified.
Mr.. Mason Of Va. offered a resolution for
the appointment of a committee to inquire
into the nature and consequences of the re-
! cent capture of the national armory at Har-
t per's Ferry. Mr.. Trumbull Of Illinois gave
notice of an amendment, providing also for
inquiry into the nature of the recent capture
armory in Missouri.
The usual resolution for notifying the
A House of the Senate's readiness to proceed to
business was adopted, and the Senate ad-
=, journed.
On Tuesday, Mr.. Mason's resolution was
t taken up and discussed at length. The res
r olution is as follows:
Resolved, That a committee be appointed
to inquire into the facts attending the late
: invasion and seizure of the armory and ar
r senal of the United States at Harper's Fer
nv IN V1ru,p;o hu n hand &c arnod ~
and report.
Whether the same was attended by armed
resistance to the authorities and public force
)t of the United States, and by the murder of
any troops sent there to protect the public
: property.
!, Whether such invasion and seizure was
made under color of an organization inten-
n ded to subvert the government of any of
the States of the Union what was the char
10 acter and extent of such organization and
OF whether any citizens Of the United S ates
not present were implicated therein, or &C.
cessory thereto, by contributions of money
arms, munitions, or otherwise.
What was the character and extent of the
w military equipments in the hands or under
:, the control of said armed band, and where
III and how, and when the same was obtained
i'll and transported to the place so invaded.
It's And that said Committee report whether
b. any and what Legislation may, in their opin
ion, be necessary on the part of the United
ne States for the future preservation of the peace
ne of the country, or for the safety of the pub
de lie properly, and that said committee hav
"A the power to send for persons and papers.
Mr.. Trumbull of Illinois favored investi
10 cation, and wanted also an investigation Of
lot similar occurrence which took place at Liber
II ty. in Missouri i'm 1855.
Mr.. Mason desired official information il
" the case for Congressional action. He calle
ne John Brown a vagabond, a rutian, a THE
W and a robber.
Al. Mr.. Hale made a humorous speech, 70
which Mr.. Hunter rebuked him, saying tina
ey it was like the laughter of an inebriate o.
his death-bed.
Messrs. Green, Pugh and Iverson favore
the resolution but opposed Mr.. Trumbulr
- amendment. Messrs. Wilson, of Mass, an
Ill Clark Of r. l., advocated both the. amend
GU ment and the resolution. No question wa
taken, and the Senate adjourned.
Dec. Z, SENATE.-The consideration of Nj
Mason's resolution was resumed, and a sti,
ring debate followed, which was not concll
Of ded. Several Northern Senators disavowe
We sympathy with Brown in the Harper's Ferr
movement.
~ Messrs. Chestnut, Brown and Iverson mao
- earnest Southern speeches.
Urn HoUsE.-The discussion of Clarke's res,
luton was resumed.
- Messrs. Garrett, Lamar and Pryor spol
warmly in favor of the South. The debar
~ continued five and half hours.
re- Another ballot was taken to-day for Speal
his er. The vote stood-Sherman 107 Bococ
!, So; Gilmer % scattering Unnecessary
!" a choice lie.
err Dec. 8, SENATE.-There was a spirited d
lp- bate on Mason's resolution.
HoUsE.-The discussion of the SLAYER
question was continued. There was no vo
Tor for Speaker.
nys p. $40 election of Speaker up to Satu
day night.
Tue PRESIDENTS MEssAGE.-The President
Message fills seven columns of the Constit
ton. According to report it practically 1
hos peats the recommendation of last year co
re corning Mexico, by investing the Executi
:" with increased power to use the arm
S a and navy at discretion; and enlarges up
any the Harper's Ferry affair, and the Union.
ked The Message will not be sent from Washin
ton until the President knows what the Hou
does, provided the organization of that Boz
this is a speedy one, and no copies of the Repo1
udy of the Secretaries are to be given out exec
+, co as accomplishments with the Presiden
Message.
New YORK, Dec. 6.-The returns of
ever charter election held in this CITY TODAY in