The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1860-02-09
THIRTY -SIXTH CONGRESS,
First Session.
Tuesday, January 81, 1860.

10
The Vice President laid before the Senate a
communication from the Commissioner of Pat
ents, made in obedience to law, showing the
operations of that Office during the year 1882
Mr.. Rice presented resolutions of the Legis-
lature of Minnesota, instructing their Senator'S
and requesting their Representatives to use
their votes and influence in favor of the pas
sage of homestead bill; which were read,
and referred to the Committee on Public Lands.
Several other memorials and petitions were
presented and referred.
Reports were made from sundry committees.
The Senate then proceeded to the censdera-
ton of the special order, being the resolution
offered by Mr.. Douglas, instructing the Com
mittee on Territories to bring in bill to pro-
tect the several States and Territories from in.
vasions, &c. a
Mr.. Hunter rose and addressed the Senate
at some length, and was listened to with mark
ed attention throughout; when he had closed
Mr.. Green thought it probable that other
Senators might feel induced to address the Sen-
ate upon the subject, and he would therefore
move that it lie on the table, to be called up
when any Senator might choose to do SO; which
was agreed to.
Mr.. Gwin wished to go into Executive ses-
sion but a melton by Mr.. Green that the Sem
ate adjourn prevailed, and the Senate ad-
journed.
HOUSE.
The House met at twelve o'clock The gal
leries were again crowded to their utmost limit
A prayer was offered, and the Journal of yes
terday was read.
The Clerk said the pending question was on
the point Of order, raised by the gentleman from
Iowa, Mr.. Curtis, in relation to the effect of
the previous question.
Mr.. Stanton, of Ohio, moved that there be q
call of the House which was agreed to.
The roll of the House was called, and it was
found that Messrs. Brown of Kentucky, C. B.
gochrane of New York, Kunkel of Maryland,
Sickles of New York, Simms of Kentucky, and
6tallworth of Alabama we're absent without
being paired of.
Mr.. Sherman, of Ohio, moved that the House
proceed to vote uioa uoce for Speaker, and upon
that he called for the previous question.
Some dilatory motions were resorted to on
the Democratic side, till all the absent mem
bers, except Messrs. Clark B. Cochrane of New
York, Brown of Kentucky, and Stallworth of
Alabama, had appeared in the Hall. 80
The motion 70 proceed TO vote was then
agreed to. 49, 60.
Mr.. Smith, of North Carolina cannot find
language, sir, adequate to convey to members
of this body my deep sense of obligation to hon
orable gentlemen of various political opinions
and sentiments for the honor which they hsve
endesvored to confer upon me by placing me
in that chair, and intrusting me with the high
and important responsibility of presiding over
the deliberations Dc this body. When I recol-
lect, SIR, how much of sacrifice must have been
incurred, how much gentlemen have given up
in the patriotic effort to concentrate the votes
of this House upon some individual that
stood upon national and properly conservative
ground; and when remember also, sir, that /
myself with name unknown to fame, now
making my entry upon this floor for the first
time, have received the honor of 80 large and
honorable vote as has been conferred upon
me, / can only say, sir, that shall cherish da.r
ring the residue Of nay Official term, while .
member Of this body, and carry with me into
the shades of private life, when my public Ger.
vice 10 ended, . grateful and abiding sense Of