The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1860-01-26
7 HIRTY-SIXTH RESS
First Session.
Tuesday, January II, 1860.
SENATE


Mr.. Sumner introduced bill supplementary
to the act of 1851, relative to the liabilities of
ship-owners. Referred.
Mr.. Cameron introduced bill for the relief
of the widow of Gen. p F. Smith.
Mr.. Mason introduced the memorial of the
Alexandria and Washington Railroad Compa-
ny, asking permission to bring their road across
the Long Bridge, and connect with the Bati-
more and Ohio railroad.
MIR. Slidell, from the select committee to
whom the subject had been referred, reported
back the bill prohibiting the circulation in the
District of Columbia of bills under twenty dol
lars, with the recommendation that it pass
The Chair laid before the Senate a conmu-
nication from the Secretary of War, in relation
to the removal of distractions from the mouth
of the Mississippi river; which was referred to
the Committee on Commerce.
MIR. Fitzpatrick presented a memorial from
the Legislature of Alabama, in reference to the
establishment of an arsenal within that State
for the manufacture of cannon, &c.
Mr.. Clay gave notice of his intention to in
troduce a bill giving the assent of Congress to
any act which may be passed by the State of
Alabama authorizing the municipal authorities
OF Mobile to impose tonnage duties on vessels
entering that harbor, for the improvement
thereof
The Senate then took up the resolution rela-
ting to the election of Printer to the Senate,
when
Mr.. Brown gave the reasons why he should
vote against the Democratic nominee for Printer
of the Senate-George w. Bowman, editor Of
the Washington Constitution. He charged
General Bowman with being interested in the
public printing, in violation of law, while he
was Superintendent of the Public Printing.
Mr.. Bigler replied in defence of General Bow
man, and the Executive and heads of Depart
meuts, from the implied charge of corruption.
Mr.. Davis defended Mr.. Bowman from the
charges made against him.
The Senate proceeded to ballot for Printer
Whole number of votes 81
Necessary to a choice 20
OF which Mr.. G. w. Bowman received -27
Messrs. Weston & Coombs IA
Mr.. II. NJ. Waterson 5
Scattering 6
Mr.. Bowman, having received majority of
votes, was declared duly elected and the Sen
ate adjourned at a few minutes past five o'clock.
Wednesday, January Is, 1860.
SENATE
Mr.. Hunter offered a resolution to print $500
extra copies of the Secretary of the Treasury's
report. Referred.
Mr.. Brown introduced a series of resolutions,
to the effect that the Territories are the com.
mon property of all the States, and that the cit
liens of all had right to enter into them with
their property recognised by the Constitution.
That it was the duty of the law-making power,
whether exercised by Congress or Territorial
Legislatures, to pass laws for the protection of
such property, and instructing the Committee
on Territories, in reporting bills for the organi
cation of Territories, to insert clause requiring
such protection and in case the Territorial
Legislature fails to comply, Congress apply
remedy. The resolutions lie over.
Mr.. Gwin introduced bill to facilitate COM
munication between the Atlantic and Pacific
States by electric telegraph.
| Mr.. Clay introduced bill, declaring the as
! sent OF Congress to any act which may be pass
ed by the Legislature of the State of Alabama,
authorizing the municipal authorities of the
city of Mobile to impose and collect duty on
/ the tonnage of vessels entering the port of
Mobile; which was read twice, and referred to
the Committee on Commerce.
! Mr.. BENJAMIN introduced bill, to amend
the existing laws relative to the compensation
of district attorneys, marshals, and clerks, of
the Circuit and District Courts Of the United
States; which was read twice, and referred to
the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr.. Hale introduced private bill, and asked
its immediate consideration.
Objection was made that the Senate could
do no Legislative business until the House was
organized.
On this question long and animated debate
sprung up, as to the power of the Senate to ma
ture and pass bills before the organization of
the House, in which Messrs. Fessenden, Mason.
Hunter, Clark and Benjamin, participated.
Mr.. Hale withdrew his motion, and the SEN
ate went into Executive session.
HOUSE.
Mr.. McRae, of Mississippi, moved a call of
the House, which was ordered.
After proceedings under the call had been
suspended, Mr. McRae, having the fOor said
he would yield it to Mr.. Clopton, of Alabama.
Mr.. WashburD, of Maine, rose to point of
order, contending that the point of order raised
by him yesterday was not dehatable. The
election of Speaker was the constant standing
order of the House, and he insisted upon the
execution of that order without debate and
without delay.
Considerable discussion ensued at this point,
in which MeYrs. Bocock, Leake, Washburn of
Maine, Phelps, Moorhead of Pennsylvania, and
Craige of North Carolina, participated, when
the Clerk stated he knew of no Parliamentary
law or practice by which the floor could be tn.
ken from any gentleman upon any question,
unless it be upon a new point of order raised.
The gentleman from Alabama Mr.. Cloptonl
had been recognised b. the Cefk, and he did
not know of any law or rule by which the gen
tleman from Maine Mr. Washbprn could take
the floor from that gentleman.
Mr.. Washburn did not desire to do so, but
simply raised the point that the gentleman was
not in order.
Mr.. Moorhead, of Pennsylvania, said, if the
Clerk decided that the gentleman was in order,
Mr.. Craige, of North Carolina, insisted that
no appeal could be taken from decision of
the Clerk assigning the floor to gentleman.
Mr.. kellogg, of Illinois, suggested that the
gentleman be allowed to proceed with his re-
marks, with the understanding that when he
has concluded the House proceed to ballot for
Speaker. Cries of Agreed" Agreed from
the democratic side.l He had no hope of
having the plurality resolution adopted, aid he
was DESTROYS of voting at least once week for
Speaker.
Mr.. Washburn, amid great confusion, insisted
upon bis objection to the gentlemans proceed
ing.
The Clerk said he was placed in rather an
embarrassing position, and he would suggest
to gentlemen on both sides of the House that a
vote be taken as to whether the gentleman from
Alabama vss lsgifimaately entitled te the floor
Objection was made.
After further discussion, the Clerk stated that
he would respectfully decline to put any ques-
lion 70 the House until the gentleman from
Alabsms, who was entitled Is the floor, had
concluded. 4sa ID
Order being restored, Mr.. Clopton commenced
his remarks. So
He said that there was but little, if any, dis