The Yazoo Democrat., 1859-12-10
TH1RTY-SuxTm CONGRESS.
FIRST ) ESSloN,
-By the American Line.l

4# BY the American Line.
Washington. Dec, 5 : The first session of
the Thirty-sixth Congress opened to day,
Both Houses assembled at ~ O'Clock. and
were soon after called to order Most Of the
members were presen. and the House Of Rep
fesenlatives WAS crowded with spectators.
Much excitement prevailed in relation to the
organization of the House, which it is believed
will not be effected for several days, if not
weeks. sUW
The Senate met at noon; Vice President
Breckenridge in the chair After administering
the oath to the new members present, the Sen,
ate proceeded to business.
Senator Mason offered resolution providing
for the appointment of select committee to
inquire into the nature and conse quonces to
the General Government of the recent capture
OF the United Suites Arsenal at Harper's Fer
ry.
Senatar Trnmbull, Republican of Illinois,
gave notice of an amendment TO the Virginia
Senator's resolution, by inser ing like provs-
ion for injury into the nature of the recent
capture of the arsenal at Frankfort. Il
After passing the ueual resolutions notifying
the House that the Senate was ready to pro
ceed to the regular business of the session. the
Senate adjourned. m
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The members OF The House of Representa-
tives assembled soon after IL NJ, and proceed-
ed TO temporary organization Nearly all
the members were punctually in their sets,
q The first and most important business being
the election o Speaker. a motion was made
TO proceed at once and he vote OF the House
being taken resulted rs follows:
First ballot-John Sherman, Republican, of
Ohio, &c; G. A Grow. Republican, Of Rnnaylva-
MIA. 43; Thonas s. Bocock, Administration Dem
Oerat Sc; Alex R. Botelier, American Of Virgin
ia IA,
There were twelve other candidates each receiy
ing from one to five votes.
Upon the announcement of the result Grow, Of
Pennsylvania withdrew from the contest stating
that he did not wish to embarass those Rcpuhli-
cans who had divided their vote between him and
Mr. Sherman.
Before proceeding TO another ballot Jno B. Clark
administration Democlnt) of Missouri, offered the
following preamble and resolution;
Whereas certain members of the House now in
nomination for the cfiee of Speaker have endorsed
and recommended volume entitled The Impend-
ing Crisis Of the South, purporting to lave been
written by Hinton Rowan Helper Of North Carol- |
ma.
ResolD'd, That the doctrines and sentiments
therein contained are insuTectionary in their M
ture, hostile to Democratic institutions and to the
peace and tranquility of the country. and that no
member Of this House who mas endorsed or recon-
mendel this book is fit to fill the high and respon-
3ible office of Speaker of the House"
The effect this resolution vas like a fire brand I
in the Republican ranks. Several prominent Re /
puhlicans rose to point of order and tried TO get
the floor to explain their positions, but were uusuc
,essful in their ATTEMPT to interrupt Mr. Clark who
during the speech by which he followed his rsolu
lion, was very severe on the Republican Abolition
sts producing much excitement on both sides OF
.he House
Upon Mr. Clark's resuming his seat several Ee.
publican members obtained the floor and disclaim>
d. on their own account, any insuwectionary sen.
iments, Cr any desire to dissolve the Union
An animated debate was kept up for some time,
Though the discussion was generally conducted
Il good humors
Without proceeding TO another ballot the House
9ipurned
1t is probable that the slavery question will be
discussed IN both Houses tomorrow il not Tor 4ev,
raj days.