The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-03-03
THIRT Y-FIFTH CONG RESS,
Second Session.
Tuesday, February p, 1859.
SENATE.

|
Tuesday, February %, 1859.
SENATE
Tie General appropriation BiU.-A motion
gave rise to considerable discussion pending
which, Mr.. Hunter moved to take up the ex
ecutive, Legislative, and judicial appropriation
bill. Motion carried.
The total amount appropriated is about five
and half millions.
About half past one o'clock, debate ensuec
as to the order of business.
The Chair submitted to the Senate, whether
| they should continue the consideration of the
appropriation bill, or take up the bill for the
acquisition of Cuba.
| Mr.. Shdell, of Louisiana, said if the Cuba
bill was postponed he would consider it as an
evasion of direct vote on the bill.
a vote being taken on the question Of post
ponirg the Cuba BILL it was agreed to, by yeas
80, nays 81.
The only amendments of Importance intro
duced in the bill, as reported from the Finance
Committee, were one making an appropriation
of $4,000 to take census of the people OF
Kansas, with the view of her admission into the
Union as State.
Mr.. Hale, of n. H., moved, as an additional
section, to repeal the restriction clause of the
act to admit Kansas, and called on the Oregon
Senator's to do by her as they themselves had
been done by.
Messrs. Lane and Smith said, when Kansas
came before Congress seeking admission, they
would act by her with justice. The latter made
a speech of some length.
Mr.. Douglas, of Ill., held that Kansas ought
to come in, irrespective of the census, with such
a Constitution as she shall choose. Hence he
did not admit the necessity of the appropriation.
He wanted either the appropriation stricken
out, or the restrictive clause repealed.
Mr.. Green, of Mo-, entered his protest against
the introduction of this exciting and inhamma-
tory subject He mentioned that he was to-day
authorized to report against a Constitution
| framed at Leavenworth, and which had been
offered by the Senator from New York, and
that he was delaying it at the instance of the
delegate from the Territory, who says the peo-
pie do not wish to come in under that Consttu-
ton. Mr.. Green, after some further remarks,
concluded by intoxicating the duty of unity and
feeling in all sections of the country.
After several attempts to adjourn, most of
them defeated by the vigilance of Mr.. Hunter,
who was anxious to get the bill passed, the
Senate, at late hour adjourned.
HOUSE.
The Post Office appropriation BW-The
House went into Committee on the Post Office
appropriation bill.
Mr.. Hatch, of New York, offered an amend
ment, that the supplies for the Department be
given by contract to the lowest responsible
bidder 70.
The amendment was rejected.
Mr.. Garnett, of Virginia, offered an amend
ment restricting the Postmaster General to the
present appropriations in next years expendi-
lures. -f
Mr. John Cochrane, of New York, was con-
tbo ont bA,, inc
nomical or political sense, be a sef;sustaining
machine. Asto New York, the receipts were
largely in excess of the expenditures.
Mr. John Cochrane (resuming) spoke in ia.
vor of the abrogation of the ranking privilege,
as commencement of a wholesome reform.
After further debate, Mr.. Garnett's amend
ment was rejected by yeas "a, nays not counted.
Without concluding action on the bill, the
Committee rose.
The Tariff QUESTIONABLE. Hughes, of Indi-
ana asked leave to introduce bill to revive
the tariff of 1886.
The House then adjourned. 'u
Wednesday,, February %, 1859.
The legislative, executive, and judicial ap-
preparation bill came up as the special order.
The question required on Mr. Hale's amend
ment, to repeal the restrictive clause of the
Kansas admission act.
Mr. Stuart, of Michigan, said he would vote
against requiring census to be taken.
Mr.. Seward, of New York, said Congress had
decided that Kansas should come in with the
Lecompton Constitution, without reference to
population; but, on the other hand, should not
come in outside of the Lecompton Constitution
unless she had 92,4OO population. There was,
therefore, discrimination by the Congress of
the United States, as against Freedom, in favor
of Slavery. Oregon, because she was a Demo
cratic State, was admitted without reference to
population, and Kansas, because Of her differ.
ent politics, was excluded. He was glad of
this occasion to renew his vote. He was glad,
also, to hear that so many gentlemen on the
other side will give Kansas fair hearing. 1t
indicates that the time is coming when any
State applying for admission Will be heard on
its merits, apart from all other considerations.
He thought 1t goes to show, that if Texas should
be divided, or free States, as he thought they
would, be formed in Mexico, they will come in
as free States. ~
Mr.. Brown, of Mississippi, made strong
Southern speech. '1Hi 'ft'fr~
He held to the doctrine Of State rights
denied the squatter sovereignty of Territories
and threatened secession, with banners flying,
if the South was deprived of her rights. His
address was directed to Northern Democrats.
He placed his views frankly on record, and de-
sired neither to cheat nor be cheated. ~
Mr.. Douglas felt it incumbent on him as q
Northern Democrat to make reply He adj
mired the frankness, candor, and directness,
with which Mr.. Brown had approached the
question. He, (Douglas) too, would put his
opinious on record in such a manner as viii
acquit him of desire to cheat or be cheated.
he agreed at the outset with Mr.. Brown, and
with the decision of the Supreme Court, that
slaves are property, and that their owners have
right to carry them into the Territories as
any other property. Having the right Of trans
1t into the Territory, the question arises, how
far does the power of the Territorial Legisla-
ture extend tn slave pronertv. and tho ranlv ia