The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-01-07
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
THIRTY-FIFTH CONGRESS- SECOND SESSION,

CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
THIRTY-FIFTH CONGRESS- SECOND SESSION.
SENATE
WASHINGToN, Jan. G. 1859
The CHAIR presented communications frCm the
Postmaster General Attorney General and Secre
tary of the Treasury. in regard to the Post Office
building In Philadelphia also one in regard to the
charges against the Postmaster of San Francisco
MIR. SEWARD presented memorial of the people
OF Kansas, accompanied by Constitution, pray aying
admission as State into the Union. Referred tC
the Committee on Territories
Mr. CRIrrENDEN moved to take up the French
Spoliation bill. Carried-yeas, "a; nays, Is.
Mr.. CRITrENDEN explained the provisions of the
phi, and urged its immediate passage. He narrated
the circumstances under which these claims arose
and alluded to the many times the Senate had sane
toned their justice and voted in their favor
Mr.. DAVIS, of Mississippi, rose to reply, when
Mr.. GwIN moved to take up the Pacific Railroad
b which was carried
Mr.. BIGLER then concluded the remarks in which
| he was interrupted yesterday.
lie remarked that he had discussed the subject
somewhat at length, for the reason that no repre
| sentative of his State had done so: and while pub
ic sentiment was strongly in favor of the moaeuro
| 1t was not as well understood as it should be- He
was opposed to the proposition to give the Govern
ment any ownership, control or management of the
work. Pennsylvania had had experience on that
subject, which teaches valuable lesson. He sug-
gested some modification in the Committees bill in
order to obvlate the objection that it gives stronger
Inducements to build the ends of the road than the
middle.
Mr.. HARLAN, of Iowa, argued in favor of the To-
cation o the general route by Congress- in order to
prevent the road becoming sectional and the con-
tract becoming monopoly; also for the purpose of
securing the most direct route.
Mr.. WARD, of Texas, argued to show the advan-
tages possessed by Southern route, as compared
with others.
Mr.. lvERsoN, of Georgia. spoke at great length.
partly upon the Railroad bill, more especially upon
the relations of the North and the South. He said
that more than three fourths of the money and land
expended by the Government had been devoted to
the free States of the North and Northwest If
either section should have the advantage it should
be the weaker one He complained of the constant
expressions of the North and believed that the
time would come when the Slave States would be
compelled, in vindcation of their rights interests
and honor, to separate from the free States and
form another confederacy.
lie was not sure that that time was not verv near
at hand. Looking at the signs of the times he saw
nothing promising. The election of Senator DOUGLAS
was not victory OF sound Democracy, but victo-
ry of free soil Democracy over Abolitonized Whie-
gerry, and, as far he was concerned he would not
give copper for the difference. So far as the
South and her constitutional rights concerned
it was victory over her and them
He further alluded to the increasing sentiment of
abolition at the North, and believed if the question
was left to the decision of Georgia, she would de-
eide IN favor of separation. He did not mean to
say the vote would be unanimous because some
there would still want to temporize They would
endeavor to conciliate the North by building for
her Pacific Railroad, by giving her protective
tariff, by improving her rivers and harbors, and
by gorging her out of the public crib, until vul-
ture-like, she would vomit in our faces. Perbaps
then she would be willing to let and our negroes
alone.
Mr. lvERsoN further debated the bill, opposing it
on the ground that the route selected would not be
through the South; and moved to recommit, with
instructions to report bill for two roads, one North
and one South.
Mr.. SHIELDS got the floor, and the Senate adj
journed
HOUSE OF REPRESENTA- TIVES.
Mr. CRAIG, of Mo-, asked leave to introduce bill
granting land to Kansas and Nebraska for Railroad
purposes. Objected to.
Mr.. CoLFAx introduced bill for the organization
OF the Territory of Colonna.
On motion of Mr.. COCHRANE, of New York the
House went into Committee of the Whole upon the
special order, being the bill for the codicaon of
the Revenue Laws of the United States and for
other purposes.
Mr. CocHRANE said the bill was not properly
codlhcaton, but rather consolidation or colloca-
ton OF the revenue laws, and proposed repeal of
those conflicting with each other. The bill did not
affect the collection districts ports of entry and de-
livery, or the salaries of officials. Vast interests
were involved in the character and administration
of these laws. The basis of present enactments
resta ,pon ieglsIation OF tjI ana 1873 which
contained many inaccuracies and imperfections-
and was unsuited to the present condition of our
Commerce-other laws had been passed since then
temporary in effect and having no general or ca
tholic bearing. Many obscure and difficult of
Interpretation, and so contradictory in terms as to
involve the Judiciary in embarrassment in endeav-
oring to follow them in their devious turnings-|
Hence a revision became necessary and upon the
recommendation of President Fillmore a commits
sion was appointed, which after five years applica-
Gnh Uni ttlHt tlNn pF H., LII.
CocHRANE advocated at length the passage of the
bill as necessary to secure uniformity in the admin
istraton of the revenue laws. and to relieve them
of ambiguity. He quoted from Judge Story and
others to show the mperfections of existing laws,
and the absolute necessity to the mercantile classes
of the passage of this bill which had been carefully
prepared under the advice of all the experts in the
country.
Mr.. CLARK, of New York, asked whether the ap-
premiership system proposed in the bill was voun-
tary or involuntary?
Mr.. COCHRANE.-Involuntary
Mr.. CLARK.-How many new officers are created
by this bill; what amount of salaries is the
federal treasury to be saddled with and who will
have the distribution of patronage?
Mr.. CoCHRANE.-No new officers are created, ex-
cept Commissioners of Apprentices who will reside
at the several ports of entry, and be appointed by
the Secretary of the Navy. No new salaries will
be drawn from the Treasury.
Mr.. CLARK.-Has the number and amount of saa-
ries OF these Commissioners been fixed?
MIR. CocHRANE said that this would be left to the
Secretary. He could not afford the gentleman any
more of his time, but would be happy to hear any
suggestions from him hereafter.
Mr. CocHRANE continued his remarks, after which
the committee rose.
The further consideration of the bill was then
postponed until to-day week, and the amendments
ordered to be printed.
On motion of Mr.. PHELPS, the House went into
Committee on the Indian appropriation bill
Mr.; LoyEJoY contended against the manner in
wi riofyp do hon
gentlemen asked for explanations, it was consid-
cred sufficient reply to say, that the appropra-
tions were recommended by the Executive. He
understood by newspaper report, that the Chair
man of the Committe on Ways and Means had said
that an extra session would be called unless this
Congress should make appropriations as desired by
the Executive Was this true2
Mr.. PHELPS replied that unless Congress pro-
vded means to carry on the Government either
by revision of the Tariff or by loan, an extra
session would be a matter of necessity.
Mr.. LoyEJoY asked if the President sanctioned
that statement?
Mr.. PHELPS replied that when the President had
anything to communicate to the House he supposed
it would be read from the Clerks desk.
Mr.. LoyEJoY said he was astonished at the prac
tice of pressing these appropriations involving large
amounts OF money merely upon executive recon-
mendation, and without security. He thought the
bill should go to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
He asked the Chairman of the Committee of Ways
and Means to point out the authority by which the
appropriation was sought to be made.
Mr.. PHELPS read the law of 1858 for the establish
ment OF Indian reservations in the various terri
tories, and for the establishment and subsistence of
the Indians thereon; The appropriation was neces
subsequent acts on the subject.
Mr. BRYAN said if this appropriation is not made,
the frontier of Texas would be devastated by hos
tile Indians. The United States had agreed to pro-
tect Texas from Indian depredatons, a pledge
which had been most Intellectually fulfilled, The
affections of the people of Texas fast becoming
aenated by the neglect of the General Govern
ment.
Mr.. GIDDINGs said as the people of Texas so
much dissatisfied. and they came into the Union
by resolution he would vote to let them out by
the same process.
Mr. BRYAN, (eccitedly. 1.-THE joint resolution
for the admission of Texas treaty, or com
pact between sovereign States. If this Government
will retire from the Union and protect herself
Mr.. GIDDINGs.-"I am satisfied. | think it would
be in order to repeal the Joint resolution
Mr.. BRYAN.-"Repeal it then. / am not certain
that Texas will not be better off by going out of
this Union.'
Mr.. GRANGER, of New York, said he had heard
repeatedly the old story that unless troops were
furnished by the Government the frontiers of Texas
would be devastated Could not they protect them
selves against few ragged Indians? He had also
understood the gentleman to say that the affections
United States. He thought there was not much
love lost between the two.
Mr.. BRYAN said that with such as the gentleman
from New York, he did not care how soon he part
ed In reference to the first part of his remarks he
would say that Texas could protect herself but
while promises were held out by the Government
they depended upon their fulfllment. Texas want