Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-12-27
Thirty-si1th Congress-First Session.

MONDAY, December 10, 1S59--.Senate.-
Vice President being absent, Mr.. Fitzpatrick, o
Ala, was elected President pro tenn. Mr. Pugh
OF Ohio, addressed the Senate on the division be
tween the Northern and Southern Democracy OF
the slavery question. He defended The North
err Democrats from the charges brought agains
theia by Senator Iverson of Georgia, and also
maintained the nationality of Judge Douglas pc
stion. He quoted from speech delivered in thu
House of Representatives eleven years ago b,
Mr.. Iverson himself, which was as strong in sup
| port of nom intervention views as Gen. Cass' "a
nous Nicholson letter, or Judge Douglas Free
port speech. He also referred to instruction
sent by the Georgia Legislature to her Senator
when the Kansas Nebraska bill was up, in favo
of non Intervention, and said he stood on thu
Georgia platform.
A long colloquy took place between Messrs
Gwin, Davis, Lane and Brown.
Rouse.-Mr. Gmer, of North Carolina, de
Tended himselffrom imputations brought against
him by Northern paper, and complained OF th'
malignity with which he had been pursued BY
the Democratic party because of his refusal Il
support the Lecompton BILL The House then re
sumed the debate on the slavery question, ant
finally took three ballots for Speaker. After the
| first ballot Mr.. Bocock, the Democratic candl
date, withdrew his name. On the last balo
the vote stood as follows: Sherman, Republican
10; Boteley, American, 81; Bocock, Demo
crat, 70; Barksdale, Democrat, 90: with large
scattering vote. Necessary to q choice, ia.
TUEsDAY.-Senate-N of interest was
done, and the Senate adjourned at an early hour
House-Atter the usual struggling debate
three ballots for Speaker We're taken. MIR. Sher'
mans highest vote was one hundred and eleven
Mr. Boteer's vote was run up to forty three
A portion of the Democratic vote was concen
trated on Mr. McOlerHand, of H., and the re-
mainder scattered on various. individuals.
WEDNRsDAY.-Senak.-The standing commit
tees were announced. Mr. Mason Is Chairman
of the Committee on foreign relations, and MI
Hunter Chairman of the Committee on Finance
Mr.. Sdel OF La, introduced resolution to
facilitate the acquisition OF Cuba.
a large number of petitions and memorials
were received and referred.
Adjourned.
House.-M Davidson, of La, spoke against
the Black Republicans. He regarded the party
as thoroughly abolitionized.
Mr.. Cobb, of Ala, made harmonious speech
with q view to unite the Southern Opposition
with the Democrats.
MI. Boteel announced his Withdrawal from
the list of candidates for Speaker, and nominated
Mr.. Millson, of Va. A ballot was then taken,
with the following result: Necessary to choice
ia; Sherman received LOG; Millson 90; Gil
mer 6; Etheridge 7 !; scattering IL.
The rest of the day was devoted to speeches.
THURspAY.-Ssngts.-T Senate made pro-
vision for Adjournment over the holidays. 1t
will adjourn until Tuesday next, then to the fol-
lowing Friday, and then to Tuesday, the 3D. OF
January. Unless, therefore, the Presidents Mes
sage is sent into the Senate to-day, it is not prob
able that it will be received until after the holt
days. ~.
House.-The House debated the subject of or
ganization, members defining their position In
regard to the candidates for the Speakership.-
Mr.. Harris, of Nd, said that it was we'll ascer-
tanned fact that if the Democratic would vote for
Mr.. Gilmer he could be elected, and he again
nominated that gentleman. Two ballots were
taken for Speaker. On the first Mr.. Shermlns
vote was reduced to ninety-6ve, and Mr.. Gill
mer's increased to thirty-six, thus giving him
the necessary strength, with the whole Demo-
cratic vote, to elect him. The Democrats cast
seventy -six votes for Mr.. Millson aud scattered
the residue of their strength. ga the second
ballot Mr. Sherman had one hundred and eight
votes, Mr.. Millson sixty-nine, and Mr.. Gimer
fell off to twenty-one votes, the Republicans
who had voted for him on the first ballot return
ing to Mr.. Sherman. The House then adjourned.
FRlDAy.-Senate-After brief business ses-
sion, the Senate went into Executive session and
then adjourned till Tuesday.
Houss.--Mr. Farnsworth defended the Repub-
lcan party in a set speech, and several members
gave catechetical explanations of their position
in relation to the re-qpening of the slave trade.
&c. One ballot was had for Speaker with the
same want of result eeAas characterized all the
attempts of the HOUSE at organization.
enthusiastically Smith, Of Va, made
a speech, after which the 2lst ballot for Speaker
was taken. No election.