Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-01-28
TmRTY-FFTH CoEGREss-sEcoND SESSION.
MoNDAr, JANUARY "a, 1859.
sCNkTr

The Chair laid before the Senate a me
mortal of the Legislature of Indiana, prayin;
that Henry S. Lane and VIM. VI. McCarty ina,
be admitted rs Senators from Indiana. inasmuct
rs that State is not legally represented in TIT
United States Senate. Ii was read at great
length and referred tn the Committee on thu
Judiciary.
Mr.. Seward offered = resolution allowing
Henry S. Lavnc and VIM. NJ. McCarty thu
privilege of the Senate f1oor during the tint
that they arc prosecuting their claims for tho
seats of Senators from the State Of Indiana
Laid over.
Mr.. Bi=!er presented the memorial Of the
Legislature Of Pennsylvania, PRAYING for an
increase Of the tariff on certain articles import
cd into the United States. Referred.
Mr.. Cameron presented similar memorials.
Mr.. c. addressed the Senate in favor Of the
memorial advocating an increase Of the tariff.
Mr.. Ei.lcr briefly replied.
Mr.. Hale presented the petition of Vim. Pet.
tibone AMI others. practical bookbindcrs Of
Washington, stating that the law relating to
the printing and binding of public documents
has been violated by the heads Of departments.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr.. Ci;ttcndcn offered ajoint resolution call.
ing on the President for a copy Of the rcpor,
made BY the messenger who accompanied the
Africans to the coast Of Africa. Agreed to.
Mr.. Slidcll, from the Committee on Foreign
Relations, made 4 report on the bill in relation
TO the acquisition Of Cuba.
The report was read at great length.
Mr.. Mason said that it was perhaps under.
stood that all who concurrcd in committee in
the presentation Of this report did not concur
in some of its recommendations. The report
had stated that it was the policy Of this gov
eminent To extend its iominions bv the sue.
cessivc acquisition of tc%. ritory. He did not
believe in snch a policy.
Mr.. Seward, as a representative of the mi
nority of the committee, introduced a bill call
ing on the President 10 transmit to Congress,
at the commencement Of the next session, a
statement Of the relations then existing be-
tween this country and Spain.
The bill also requires a statement Of the
condition Of the treasury and the effective
condition Of the army and navy at that time,
so as to enable Congress 10 judge whether at
that time it may be necessary to adopt any en-
traordinary measures to maintain the rights
! and interests Of the United States in regard to
Spain.
Mr.. Seward proceeded to show the financial
hindranrcs to the bill reported for the acIuisi-
ton Of Cuba. Tho passage of this bill also con-
ferrcd upon the President powers which would
! compel the Senate to ratify them if exercised.
lie thought this power should be retained by
the Senate. This bill was in derogation OF
senatorial powers. He had supposed that po-
litiral necessities would cause Cuba to grlvitate
to the continent. as had been stated BY illus
trious statesmen.
But the time nor opportunity had never pre-
! scntcd themselves. lie doubted if we hid ar
rived Mt that point now. For ten years we had
made no ovcrturcs to Spain for the purchase Of
Cuba, and she now clingS more tcnaciously to
the island than when she was in a less prosper
Gus condition. She was now in perfect reposc.
Mr.. S. read a report OF a debate in the Span.
ish Chamber Of Deputies. showing that the go.
vcrnmcnt intended To demand immediate rcpa-
ration from the President of the United States
for the alleged insult contained in his message
regarding the purchase Of Cuba.
Mr.. Seward thought the proposition to buy
Cuba unwise and ridiculous, and characterized
its purchase as much Of a necessity as that Of
fcred by the auction woman in the play, who
thought that it might como so handy"
Mr.. Byard very briefly advocated the pas
sage Of the bill reported. lie thought it might
be passed whether the object was attained or
not.
Mr.. Foot said that when the proposition was
fiirly before the Senate, he should give his
views upon the subject.
Mr. Toombs replied to the Senator from New
York. (Mr. Seward arguing the constitutional
! objections raised 10y the Senator.
lie thought the Senator was mistaken in say
ing that the Senate was obliged to ratify the
treaty made by the President. 1t was not n
dcrogation OF senatorial power. The Senator
could exercise his constitutional power hy OPP
posing it. when il came before the Senate.
Mr.. Hale pleasantly remarked OIL the subSti-
tuition of Political Necessity" for Manifest
! Destiny" both of which characters, he regretted
to say, uniformly travelled Southwark in full
filling their mission. \ part of Maine and a
part Of Oregon between 80 deg, and 81 deg,
30 min. had been giren away to Great Britain.
! On the South we constantly enlarge our
borders. From the North we lop of slice
after slice. 1t might be accidental, but the
coincidence was none the less remarkable -
After cloGuently abiding to the loyalty OF
Spain, as our earliest ally, Mr.. Hale expressed
his belief that we could best promote tho
prosperity of the Republic By ial roring our
! Irc>cnt territorial possessions.
At the close Of the discussion the Senate
! proceeded to hold an Executive Session.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Mr. Kelsey asked leave to introduce a rcso.
| luton, that Oh Saturday next, Immediately ar.
ter reading the Journal. the House shall go into
committee on the private calendar. When OBJ
lection is made TO Il bill. five minutes shall bc
allowed for opposing it, and five minutes for
answering objections. The question shall then
be taken on amendments, If any, without fur
| Their debate.
Objection having been made, Mr.. X. moved
that the rules be suspended.
The question having been taken, it was de-
cided in the aff~irrna,ive--yeas 13l, nays &c.
The resolution was then passed.
Mr.. Phelps, of Missouri, called attention to
| the fact that two committccs-thc judiciary.
and Il select committee on alleged abuses in the
navy-wcrc now engaged in examining wit
ncSScs. Some Of these were waiting for their
pay, and there is no money applicable to that
purpose. lie. therefore, asked leave to intro
| ,iuce q bill aplropriating ten thousand dollars
10 meet such demands.
Mr.. Regan proposed an amendment that no
part Of this sum shall hc paid for constructive
mileage in summoning witnesses.
,,Ir. Houston said that the Committee on the
Judiciary allowed no constructive mileage.
Mr.. Hughes moved IN amendment that no
par, Of the money shall be paid for the de-
!ence of any parties implicated. or for c~onstruc.
tive mileage Of witnesses.
The latter amendment was rejected.
Mr. Regain modified his amendment, so as
to continc the mileage for sulnlnoning witnesses
to ten cents 4 mile. Tins was adopted, and the
bill passed.
Mr.. Crawford opposed an amendment, here.
tofore offered, to withhold the appropriation for
foreign ministers.
Mr.. Marshall, Of Kentucky, made a few re.
marks in reply.
Mr.. Lovejoy opposed the sending out of reg.
ular ministers. The principle is a remnant oil
other days.
Mr. Phrlps. Of Mo-, moved that the House re.