Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-02-12
LAST NIGHTS REPORT.
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, Feb. IL
HOUSE

HOUSE.
Mr.. Case thought there were Objectionable fea-
lures in the Oregon Constitution and had made up
bis mind to vote for il the best thing that could
be done under the rotten Administration, which is
a curse and disgrsce to the country.
Mr.. Bingham opposed the bill on account of the
alien clause in the Constitution, and that with ref
erence to free negroes and mulsttoes
Mr.. English gave notice Of an amendment pro-
vidng that hereafter no Territory shall be admit
ted as State unless it is previously ascertained
that it has sufficient population for representative
in Congress, when Constitution may be formed
and the State admitted with without slavery, as
the Constitution may prescribe.
Mr.. Sandidge advocated the BILL
At four o'clock, there being an understanding
that none but the Oregon question would be dis
cussed. all but about dozen members departed.
Messrs. Hoard and Wilson spoke against and
Mr.. Stevenson for the bill.
Mr.. Davis said his objections lay in the Constitu
ton of Oregon itself, which provides for excluding
free colored persons from the State.
Mr.. Hill opposed the admission on account o.
insuficiency of population and alien suffrage.
c. B. Cochrane opposed it because it would be
palpabe infraction of the rule established in the
case of Kansas, because it would be unjust to the
larger and older States with respect to Congress
sonal representation, and because Of exclusiOn o.
free colored persons.
Mr. Thayer argued in favor of the admss ion
with regard to the argments touching the insult
cheney of population, he reminded the Republi
cans Of their vote for the Topeka Constitution wheI
Kansas had less than half the population Oregon
now has.
Mr. Davis, of Miss, was in favor Of the bill
Mr.. Gilman, Of Ne, would be compelled to vote
against it, principally the ground Of tie free ne
gro clause in the Constitution. Adjourned.
SENATE.
Mr.. Comins proceeded then to demonstrate tina
the Senate was bound to give the Indiana case re
consideration, and that State had just right to b.
heard by the men she had chosen TO represent her
She had entrusted her case neither to hin
(Seward) or to the Senator from Illinois Trumbun
but to her own Senators.
Mr.. Bright said he had wished to make reply
but his friends had advised him to leave the cas-
of himself and colleague in their hands and h
would seek another occasion to reply. A goo'
deal Of incidental discussion arose as to whether
vote to lay the matter on the table, should b.
equivalent to final decision on the case. A
length a vote was taken on the mere motion tha
it lay on the table. The resolution on the Indian
case was finally laid on the table. All Republican
voting nay.
Mr. Benjamin spoke on the Cuba question. H
commenced by stating the value of Cuba An tn
British, French and Dutch West Indies, together
with the possessions Of those powers in Guiana
were not equal intrinsica to that solitary Island
BE then proceeded to demonstrate the failure o
the disastrous experiment Of emancipation, saying
that the emaucipated negroes have not yet becom
| the admirable peasantry and yeomanry the Engls
abolitionists prophesied. Compulsory labor wa
necessary in the tropics While Cuba is kept in the
grasp Of Spain, she cannot keep up her supply o
negro labor by surreptitous slave trade, and fh
coolie system was infinitely worse He then relst
ed the horrors Of the coolie trade, showing that
these miserable Asiatc died at the ratio Of 10 pc
cent. per annum, and we're mere raw material to b
worked up into sugar.
In view Of the necessity Of the supply Of labo
Cuba must soon follow st. Domingo or becom
American. Hewould not discuss the effects Of tn
acquisition oI Cuba on our trade-manufacturinl
or agricultural interests. Geographically consid
/ cred Cuba would be destructive element in thl
hands Of the British in case of q war between u
and Great Britain. He denied that Spain was al
| independent nation-she had sold her sovereign
| ty in Cuba to Great Britain-and there was tim
when she would not have felt insulted by an offe
of money, for Great Britain had paid her 4O0,O0I
pounds to stop the slave trade, which she had moi
| done.
| He further denied that Cubans had petitioned K
remain under the Jurisdiction Of Spain. 10 ~
Bolivars plan 10 assist Cuba in declaring her IN
dependence fell through, because the U. s. learn
ing that Great Britain intended to seize the oppor
tunity OF her independence to assume protecto
rate, nterposed through Mr.. Clay, and preYentet
| the movement
Spain alarmed placed the island in a stat
Of siege, and it has ever since so remained unde
the despotism of q Capt General who is invested
like the Commander Of besieged city, with IN
limited power over life and property. Yet we ar
/ told that Cubans still seek to remain under thi
yoks-ti is not so; they have doae all they could +
throw it Oh. In 1926 there was revolt there, Ia
ter was the conspiracy Of the Black Eagle an