Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-12-13

petitions were presented, and tnen the ouelng
bill was taken up, and debated till the adjourn.
ment.
Rouse.-The following joinrconmittee on the
Harper's Ferry conspiracy was announced
Messrs. Barbour, Osperton, Hopkins, Kemper,
Duckwal, Watson, of P, Knote, Anderson,
ORGAN, Davis, Arnold and Welsh.
Mr.. McOue presented the petition of d. T.
| PIecker, of Augusta, to have license refunded,
the same having been improperly assessed in
Rockingham county.
| Mr. Massie introduced resolution of inquiry
as to making grants to the colleges on condition
that they educate certain number of INDECENT
youth free of charge.
Thirty.Sixth Consress-First Session.
| MONDAY, December B, 1859.-Ssnats.-The
| Vice President of the United States called the
Senate to order at II o'clock, and prayer was
offered by the Rev. DR.. Gurley.
Mr.. Mason submitted q resolution that com.
mittee be appointed to inquire into the facts at
tending the late invsaion and seizure Of tie ar
mory at Harper's Ferry, what was the character
and extent OF the organization, and what legis-
ation may be necessary on the part OF Congress.
House-At noon, Mr.. Allen, the Clerk of the
last House, called the members to order, Two
hundred and thirty membeys answered to their
names, and the struggle for the Speakership was
Immediately begun. On the first and only ballot,
the Democrats cast eighty-six votes for their
caucus nominee, Mr.. Bocock; the Republicans
cast one hundred and nine votes for Aessrs,
Sherman and Grow, the latter withdrawing inn.
mediately after the CLOSE of the ballot the South
Americans gave Mr.. Boteler fourteen votes,
whilst twenty-one votes were cast for various
other candidates. Seven MEMBERS all Demo-
Gratis but one, were absent. After some discus
sion over resolution introduced by Mr.. CLARK,
of Missouri, DECLARING that no member who had
endorsed Helpers book, "The Impending Crisis
!.of the South was ct to be Speaker, the House
adjourned. This resolution was directed against
Mr.. Sherman, of Ohio, the Republican candidate,
whose name has been published recommending
the circulation of the book.
Y.-Senate-Tuesdsy was spent in dis
cussing Mr.. Mason's resolution ofinquiry into the
Harper's Ferry invasion, with an amendment Of
fered by Mr.. 'Trumbull, of Illinois, directing
Isimilar inquiry into the circumstances attending
the seizure of the United States Arsenal at Lib
erty. Missouri, which occurred some four years
ago during the Kansas excitement. Mr.. Truul-
hull said he hoped the investigation would be
thorough and complete. He believed it would
do good by dssbusing the public mind, espe-
cialiy in the South, of the idea that such move
ment receives any countenance or support from
any considerable number of citizens. Senators
Hale, Hunter, Davis, Green, Orittenden and 9th.
ers participated in the debate.
| H0use.-The discussion was renewed on Mr..
| Olark's motion declaring that no member OF the
House who had recommended Helpers "lmpend-
sing Crisis" was "6t to be Speaker" Mr.. Gill
mer, of n. O., submitted an amendment declar-
ing the agitation of the slavery question iDjuri-
Gus and inexpedient. During the debate Mr..
Sherman disavowed the extreme opinions which
| had been charged TO him. lie was opposed to
interference with the rights of the South or with
the relations existing between Shareholders and
| thei- slaves. He had never read or seen Help
er's book.
Mr.. Washburn, of ILL.,, moved to lay the whole
subject on the table. Negatived by tie vote.
Messrs. Burnett, of KY, Millson, Leake and Gar
nett, of Va, Stevens, of Pa, Keitt, Crawford and
others took part in the debate
The House continued in session until nearly
six O'Clock and closed after scene Of great ex-
citement and defamation on the subject OF sls-
very.
WEDNESDAY -Ssnate-The discussion of Mr.
Mason's resolution of inquiry into the Harper's
Ferry affair, was continued. Messrs. Simmons,
of R. l., Mallory, of Florida, lverson, OF Ca,
Clingman, of N. O., Fessenden, of Me-, and
! Brown, of Miss, made remarks. The debate
was carried on in an earnest and animated man.
ner but without the excitement that has char
acterized the debate in the other House. There
| is an almost general expression Of opinion that
the resolution is an unobjectionable one and
ought to be passed.
House.-Mr. Kellogg, of ILL.,, rose to privi-
legged question, and called attention to some
censures of his course, published in the N. Tri.
bune He said if the Republican party have
any regard for their own dignity they would re-
buke those who, by trickery, prepare papers for
others to sign. When the struggle in Illinois
commenced, Mr.. Greeley and others met in the
parlor of Senator Douglas, plotting and planning
to sell Illinois and Missouri too He knew it, and
could prove it'll He had no knowledge of hay-
ling signed the recommendation of Helpers book.
He never saw it.
Mr.. Nelson, of Tenn, advocated the adoption
Iof Mr.. Gilmer's resolution. The debate on the
"ImpendiDg Crisis" was conducted in some
what better temper than was exhibited on the
previous day. Threats of dssolving the Union
were less INDUCED in, and the exciting scene of
Tuesday appeared to have warned members OF
the dangers of turning an exciting debate into
still more exciting personal collision. After the
vote on the pending resolutions, the House
proceeded to second ballot for Speaker with
the following result-Sherman, Republican, one
hundred and seven; Bocock, Democrat, eighty
eight; Gilmer, Southern American, twenty two
scattering thirteen. The whole number of votes
cast was two hundred and thirty, Sherman lack
ing nine of the number necessary to choice.
THURsDAY.-Senate.-M Sidel gave notice
L.. 80 ol,a an
appropriation to facilitate negotiations for the
acquisition of Cuba.
Mr.. johnson, of Tenn, gave similar notice
with reference to homestead bill. Several
other notices were also given.
Mr. Mason's resolution now cameup, and Mr..
Trumbull resumed his remarks, showing the i'm
portance of the inquiry relative to the sacking of
the arsenal at Liberty, Mo. The debate was
continued by Messrs. Yulee and Clay. Without
coming to vote the Senate adjourned until
Monday.
House-The slavery debate was continued by
Messrs Reuben Davis, of MISS, Morris, OF Pa,
Moore, of Ala, and Corwin and Cox, OF Ohio
TENDERS expressed their sentiments amid the
laughter and applause of their colleagues, whilst
the crowd in the galleries applauded or disap-
proved as seemed good to them. No ballot for
Speaker was taken.
FRIDAY.--House.-The was lively time to.
day. Mr.. Morris, Of ILL.,, opened the debate with
defence of Mr.. Douglas, which led TO discus
sion between Mr.. Kellogg, Republican, and Nj.
Logan, Democrat, (both Of Illinois, in which both
parties became SO excited that personal collis-
ion nearly ensued. The excitement was improv-
ed by several members who deprecated the con.
diton of affairs in the House, in which each par.
ty applauded the remarks Of its own adherents,