Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-12-20

Thirtv.si.th COMMENSURATE session. >

Thirty-Sixth Congress-First Session.
MONDAY, December 10, 1850. -Senats.-- Mr.
Mason, of Va, arraigned the Northern Democ-
racy, declaring that if they had not already be-
come abolitionized. they would soon become SO
Mr.. Iverson, of Ga, followed in the same strain
Mr.. Bright ofInd., replied, defending the North
ern wing of the party from these attacks. MIR
Pugh, of Ohio, said if the Democracy of the
Southern States held the sentiments of Mr.. w.
erson, we want to know it before the meeting oil
the Charleston Convention, and we intend to
know, or, at least, do, as far as questions and
answers can bring it from their representatives
Mr.. johnson, of Tenn, replied to Mr.. Trum-
bulls defence of the Republican platform. The
latter gentleman, in reply to questions, said ne
would not favor the admission into the Union OF
State composed of free negroes He believed
there was natural distinction between the white
and black races.
House-The discussion was mainly between
the representatives of the two divisions of the
Democratic party, the Republicans declining to
take part in the debate. Mr.. Hickman, of Pa,
Anti Lecompton Democrat, in reply to an attack
upon him in the Washington Constitution, made
a vigorous onslaught upon the Administration,
and arraigned the Southern Democracy for their
overbearing and violently sectional course
Without proceeding to ballot for Speaker the
House adjourned.
TUEsDAY.-Senate.- Mr.. Clay, of Ala, wished
to know where we stand, and called for informa.
ton from Republican Senators. These gentle
men profess to respect the Constitutional rights
of the South, and if they would keep their pledge
there would be no cause of complaint. He cited
the language of various prominent men among
them, however, to show what they contemplated.
The South was forewarned, and ought to be fore.
armed.
Mr. Gwin, of California, believed that Mr..
Clay expressed the views of majority of South
ern people, and that they would seoede from the
Union if Republican President were elected
he lifted up his voice of warning. Messrs Hale
and Wilson replied.
House.-Mr. Sickles, of N. Y, replied to Mr..
Hickman. Mr.. Adrain, of N. j., defended the
Douglas Democrats. Mr. McRae, of Miss, ap-
pealed to the Southern Opposition members to
support the Democratic candidate for Speaker.
Much good humor prevailed during the debate,
and finally, without coming to vote, the House
adjourned.
WEDNESDAY. Wade, OF Ohio,
made speech on the slavery question. he ex-
planned why the men of the free States to con-
siderable extent sympathized with "this old he
ro," Brown, but he had never seen a map, wo-
man or child who justified his conduct. Mr.. W.
had nothing to say against slavery in the States.
He did not approve OF some OF the sentiments In
Helpers book, but he saw no harm in its circu-
lation, on the principle that the freedom of the
press was allowed in the North. He alluded to
MIR. Letcher's endorsement of Ruffners pamphlet
as parallel to Sherman's endorsement ofHelper's.
Mr.. Hunter explained that when Mr.. Letcher
gave his signature he did not know what the
pamphlet would contain, and he had since refused
to aid its circulation:
Mr. Wilson thought the same excuse should
equally exculpate Mr. Sherman.
Mr.. Trumbull's amendment to include an ia
quiry into the seizure of the Arsenal at Liberty,
Missouri, was defeated by ten majority. Mr..
Mason's resolution was then unanimously a.
dopted.
House.-Mr. McRae resumed and concluded
his remarks from yesterday. Mr., Garter, OF N.
Y, advocated the election Of Sherman. A vote
for Speaker was then taken, which stood: Sher.
man, one hundred and eight; Bocock, eighty
six; Gilmer, Twenty-Five; scattering eleven
necessary to choice one hundred and fourteen.
Mr.. Ashmore, of South Carolina, announced to
the House that an abolition enissary had been
hETESleG III LIS ulobIlCG duu WOulu 10 hupSs
THURsDAY.-Senate.-Th Vice President an
nounced the following committee on the Har-
pes's Ferry affair: Nessrs. Mason, Davis, Cola
mer, Fitch and Doolitte. The Rev. Dr.. Gurley
was elected Chaplain, and the Senate adjourned
till Monday.
Vallandigham, of Ohio, and Craw-
ford, of Ga, delivered speeches. Two ballots
were taken for Speaker. The whole number of
votes cast was two hundred aud twenty-six, ne.
cassary to choice one hundred and fourteen.-l
Mr.. Sherman received one hundred and ten and
Mr.. Bocock eighty-fye votes. On the last BAL
lot Mr. Gilmer had eighteen votes, and Mr.
Boteer FIVE. Messrs. Haskins, Hickman, and
Schwartze Anti-Lecomdton Democrats, voted
for Mr.. Sherman.
FRIDAY.--House.-The Clerk was authorized
to exercise all necessary power to preserve order
Messrs. Bonham, of s. O., snd Sims, of Ky-
delivered speeches. Mr.. Millson made an expla-
nation, denying that he ever said that any man
who endorsed Helpers book was not fit to live.
After some hours of discussion the House pro-
ceeded to ballot for Speaker when Mr.. Sherman's
vote was reduced to ninety six and MIR. Gllmer's
increased to thirty-six. Mr.. Bocock received
eighty. six votes and nine were scattered. Mr..
Gilmer then withdrew his name from the con-
test and nominated Mr. Boteler, of Virginia. A
second ballot was had with the following result:
Sherman one hundred and eleven, Bocock egh-
ty- three, Boteler twenty -fve scattering nine.-
Whole number of votes 22S, necessary to choice
lilo.
SATURpAY.-House-Tw ballots for Speaker
were taken without result. On both ballots Mr..
Sherman had Ill votes, needing four only of the
number necessary to elect. On the last ballot
portion of the Southern Opposition dropped Mr..
Boteler, of Virginia, and voted for Mr.. Briggs,
of New York. ar
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