Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1859-01-29

A Muss IN THE SENATE. We take
from the New York Herald's Washing
ton correspondence the following account
of the fare up in executive session in
the Senate chamber, on Friday last:
In executive session of the Senate
to-day an angry and exciting discussion
arose between Judge Douglas and Sena-
tor Fitch, when words were used which
it is thought must lead to duel. The
debate occurred on the question of con
tirming the nomination of Potter. of
Ohio, as collector of Toledo Mr.. Pugh
opposed Potter's nomination, as the man
displaced was his friend He said if the
President desired an issue with him, he
was ready for it. He denounced the
appointment, and called on every Sena-
tor who was his friend to vote against it.
Douglas responded saying he would vote
with the Senator from Ohio. He then
branched off on the Illinois appointments,
and said they were dishonest, corrupt,
and incompetent. Senator Fitch inter-
rogated Douglas, and said it was untrue.
Douglas reiterated what he had said -
Fitch again said it was untrue Cries of
order were then made. Douglas contin-
ued the debate. Fitch replied to Doug
las with great bitterness, and said that
Senators knew how to prize anything
coming from that quarter. Cries of or
der were again made. Douglas then re-
piled, and was called to order Motions
were chen made that Douglas be allowed
to 90 on in order jeff Davis opposed
it, and said, turning to Douglas, he had
listened with Indignation to the language
used, and it was that of highwayman
and bravo. The debate was continued
some time, when motion was made and
the Senate adjourned. 1t is said the lie
was given and most severe personal re-
marks made"
Inquiry around the city (says the Starr
has satisfied us of the substantial correct
ness of the statement. We have to add,
by way of explanation, that the Mr..
Potter referred to, is Mr. Emery D. Pot
ter, formerly a member of Congress, a
gentleman Of high character, who is said
to have been rendered the position by
the President without applying for it,
when it was determined to remove his
predecessor 1t is to be presumed that
there can be no objection to his confrma-
ton other than the point said to have
been made by Senator Pugh, that the
fact that he was appointed to ell vacan-
cy caused by the removal of a friend of
his, Senator PSI should be bar to
it--a reason which will strike all out
side of the Senate as being a reading
of the appointing function of the Chief
Magistrate Of the Gfited States entirely
foreign to the design of the founders of
the government in devolying it Chat
function) on the President, rather than
the member or members of the Senate
from the State in which the appointment
is made
The matters logged into the contro-
versy, by Senator Douglas, had all been
disposed of, we apprchended, when he
made his original fight against the con-
firmation of the Illinois appointments !;
so his renewed aspersions on gentlemen
who were not then before the Senate,
were ungracious and uncaled for. He
is understood to have characterized them
one and all, as being. in every respect,
about the worst and ylcst men in the
State.
Subsequently correspondence took
place between Senators Douglas and
Fitch, which prevented a hostile meet
ing, Douglas explaining and modifying
his language, and Fitch Withdrawing his
charges of falsehood r. A. Pryor,
was the bearer of the notes of Mr.. D.,
and Senator Benjamin those of Mr. F.
The Presidents MESSAGE ON CUBA.
The following is the special message of
the President. sent into the Senate on
Friday last, in reply to resolution re-
Gently offered by Mr.. Seward and adopt
ed by the Senate, calling for any cores
pondcnee which has been had between
our Government and that Of Spain with
reference to the acquisition of Cuba:
WASHINGTON, Jan. 81, 1859
~ he Senate Of the United States:
/ transmit herewith report from the
Secretary of State, in answer to the res
olution of the Senate of the 18th inst /,
requesting the President, if not incom-
patible with the public interest, "to COM
municate to the Senate any and all cor.
respondence between the Government Of
the United States and the Government
of her Catholic Majesty, relating to any
proposition for the purchase of the Island
of Cuba, which correspondence has not
been furnished to either House Of Con-
gress." From this it appears that no
such correspondence has taken place
which has not already been communica-
ted to Congress.
In my late annual message / stated,
in reference to the purchase Of Cuba,
that the publicity which has been given
TO our former negotiations on this sub
ject, and the large appropriations which