Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-12-14

Senators and Representatives in Congress- to the
President of the United States, and to His Excel
lency, the Governor of the State of Virginia.
Thirty-Sixth Congress.
The thirty-sixth Congress of the United States
commenced Its first session in Washington on Mon
day last.
Of the sixtysix Senators all were present on the
first day but Messrs. Seward, Hammond, ToomSs,
Clay, Fitzpatrick, Benjamin, johnson. Sebastian,
Polk, Crttenden, Douglas, Davis, and Fitch.
In the Senate, on Monday, Mr.. Mason, Of Vir-
gina, offered the following resolution:
" Resolred. That a committee be appointed to in
qnre into the facts attending the late invasion and
seizure of the armory and arsenal of the United
States at Harper's Ferry, in Virginia, by band of
armed men, and report whether the same was at
tended by armed resistance to the authorities and
public force of the United States, and by the mur
der of any of the citizens of Virginia, or of any
troops sent there to protect the public property
whether such invasion and seizure was made under
color Of any organization intended to subvert the
government of any of the States of the Union;
what was the character and extent of such organi-
zation; and whether any citizens of the United
States, not present. were implicated therein,
cessory thereto. by contributions of money, arms
munitions, otherwise; what was the character
and extent of the military equipment in the hands,
or under the CONTROL of said armed band and where
and how and when the same was obtained and trans
ported to the place so invaded. That said commit
tee report whether any and what legislation mav in
their opinion, be necessary, the part of the Unit
ed States for the future preservation Of the peace
of the country, or for the safety of the public pro-
perty; and that said committee have power to send
for persons and papers"
The resolution lies over one day, under the rules
The House of Representatives called to order
at twelve o'clock by Mr. Allen the Clerk. All
but nine members and delegates answered to their
names. All the members from North Carolina were
in their seats.
Mr.. Houston nominated Mr.. Bocock (Democrat,)
of Virginia, for Speaker; Mr.. Corwin nominated
Mr.. Sherman. of Ohio, (black Republican, for the
same office; Mr.. Stevens nominated Mr.. Grow,
(black Republican, for the same office; and Mr..
Briggs nominated Mr.. Botelar, (know Nothing,) of
Virginia. Mr. Bocock received So votes, Mr. Sher-
man &c, Mr.. Grow 43, Mr.. Botelar H. with 81 scat
tering. Messrs. Branch, Craigc, Ruffin and Wins
low voted for Mr.. Bocock; and Messrs Gi!mer Leach
Smith and Vance voted for Mr.. Botelar. Messrs
Botelar, H. Winter Davis, and j. Morrison Harris
the two latter the blood-stained Plug Ugly members
from Batimore-voted for Mr. Gilmer. No elec-
ton.
After Intellectual motion to adjourn, Mr. Clark,
Of Missouri, offered the following resolution
"WHEREAs certain members of this House, now
in nomination for Speaker, did indorse and recon-
mend the book hereinafter mentioned.
! Resotred, That the doctrines and sentiments of a
certain book, called 1.-THE Impending Crisis of the
South-IIow to meet it." purporting to have hcen
written by one Hinton R. Helper, are insnrrection-
ary and hostile to the domestic peace and tranquility
| of the country and that member of this House
who has Endorsed and recommended it, or the COM
pend from it, is fit to be Speaker of this House."
Applause in the galleries, accompanied with
Kisses.
A running debate took place, in the course Of
which Mr.. Clark was quite severe on those black
Republicans who have endorsed Helpers abolition
book. Without coming to vote the House ad
journed.
We give below the proceedings of the two Houses
for Tuesday and Wednesday, We find them con
densed'in our Northern exchanges.
TUESDAY, December 6.
SENArE.-Mr. Mason's resolution was taken up
and was the occasion of long discssion.
Mr.. Trumbull favored the investigation and want
ed occurrences investigated which occurred in 1855
at Liberty. Missouri.
Mr.. Mason wanted information officially on which
case to take congressional action. He called Johr
Brown a vagabonG, rufian, thief and robber
Mr.. Hale made humorous speech, for which Mr.
Hunter rebuked him, saving it was like the laugh
of an inebriate on his death bed.
Messrs. Green Pugh and Iverson favored the res
oluton, but were opposed to Trumbuls amendment
Messrs. Wilson and Clark advocated the amend
ment and resolution.
The Senate then adjourned.
HousE-'rhe discussion on Mr.. Clarkes resolution
was resumed.
\ Mr. Leake was for making the Republicans fac
the music.
Mr. Mson said that those who endorsed Helper'
Book, were not fit to live, much less to be electe
Speaker.
Mr. Keitt showed that the present state of feelin
was the legitimate fruit of the seed sown by Seward
Messrs Sherman and Curtis said as Republicans
they did not justify any interference of relation be
tween master and slave.
Mr. Gimer offered proposition, reiterating de
claraton of the whig and democratic parties here
toore to frown down attempts to agitate the slave
ry question in or out Of Congress.
Exciting times generally, among other speakers
There was no vote for Speaker.
The House adjourned.
: WASHINGTON, Dec Z, 1859.
SENATE-The consideration of Mr.. Mason's resolr
ton was resumed and stirring debate followed
which was not concluded. Several Northern Senator
disavowed sympathy with Brown in the Harper
Ferry movement. .F
Messrs. Chestnut, Brown and Iverson made earnes
Southern speeches.
HoUsE-The discussion of Carke's resolutio
was resumed ~'
Messrs. Garrett, Lamar and Pryor spoke warml
; in favor of the South. The debate continued f1
and half hours.
, SECOND BALLOT FOR SPEAKER
, Another ballot was taken to-dav for Sneaker