The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-04-06
PROCEEDINGS OF THE THIRTY-SIyTH CONGRESS
SENATE.

and obtained leave to introduce bill to authorize
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad company to ex-
tend the Washington branch of their road to the
Potomac river, and across the same, by exten-
sion of the present structure known as the Long
Bridge, for the purpose Of connecting with the
Virginia railroads at that point; which was read
twice and referred to the Committee the District
of Columbia.-Mr FOSTER presented nineteen
petitions of chaplains, ministers of mariners
churches, and others interested in promoting the
welfare OF seamen, praying the abolition of spirit
ratlons IN the navy; which were referred to the
Committee Naval Affairs-Mr. HAMMOND
presented the petition of Lieut. A. F. Marley, of
the United States Navy, praying relief from the
consequences of the sentence of a court-martiaI;
which was referred to the Committee on Naval
Ahairs.-Mr. TRUMBULL, from the Committee
on Patents aud the Patent Office reported adverse
ly on the petition of Bancroft Woodcock, PRAYING
the extension of his patent for Improvement in
the construction of the Ploqgh,w - Mr.. YULEE
presented the petition of IT, j. NJ. Richardson and
Thomas Ross, executors of Samuel B. Richardson,
praying payment for fifteen DAYS service of said
S. b. Richardson as member of the Senate during
the session of the legislative council of the terri
tory of Florida for the year lS45; which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Territories. MIR.
HARLAN introduced a bill for the relief of
certain settlers in the State of Iowa;
which was read twice and referred.-
Mr.. II. also introduced Joint resolution for the
compensation of Rev. R. r. Richards, late chaplain
Of the United States Pententiary in the District of
Columbia, which was considered and passed.
Mr. BlGLER asked and obtained leave to intro-
duce bill for the relief of Goteb Scheerer; which
was read twice and referred to the Committee on
Judiciary. He also called up the bill for the relief
OF Mrs. Angelina c. Bowman, widow of Francis L.
bowman, late captain in the United States army:
and having stated the grounds on which the bill
rested, it was read third time and passed-Mr
WILSON submitted resolution, which lies over
until tomorrow under the rule instructing the
Committee on Military Affairs to inquire what con-
tracts, IT any, have been entered into by the War
ppt pp nv nU,o 81
the last three years. for iron for the public build
lngs; whether such contracts were made after pub
lie advertisement or otherwise; the amount of iron
contracted for, and the amount furnished; the
prices paid or ordered to be paid and whether the
same were in accordance with the contracts or 9TH
erwise, and if not, by what authority they were
PAID or ordered to be paid, and under what author
lty OF law said contracts have been entered into
either by the War Department or any officer or
agent thereof also, that said committee make
similar inquiry with regard to contracts
by the War Department for shot or
shells, and iron gun carriages-said COM
mittee to have power to send for persons
and papers, with leave to report at any time
Mr. CHANDLER, from the Committee on Com.
merce, to whom the subject had been referred, re-
ported bill to extend the provisions of act ap-
proved March 3, 1851, entitled Gan act to limit the
liabilities OF ship-owners, and for other purposes"
to the Lakes; which read three times by unani-
nous consent and pasSed.--On motion bv Mr..
CHESNUT, the resolutions of Mr.. DAVIS on the
subject OF territorial rights, were taken up, and
made the special order for Monday neXt.-Mr.
CLAY from the Committee on Commerce, to whom
was referred the joint resolution from the House of
Representatives, constituting Macon, Ga, port of
entry Tor the time being for the purposes therein
specified, and for other purposes reported il with
out amendment and asked its immediate considera-
ton, which being agreed to, the resolution was
read third time and passed.-0n motion by Mr.
MASoN, the bill appropriating $4,000 to de-
fray the expenses of the Japanese Min.
lister and suite, on their visit to this
country, was considered and passed.
On motion of Mr.. GREEN, the bill concerning the
United States Courts in Territories was taken up
and passed. 1t provides that the jurisdiction of
the Probate Courts shall not be less than two hun
dred dollars, with the right of appeal in all cases
Mr.. HUNTER called up the Indian Appropra-
ton bill, and--Mr. LATHAM submitted an
amendment, the effect of which was to give the
State of California fifty thousand dollars year. to
enable her to take care of the Indians within her
limits. Without disposing of this question, at one
O'Clock the bill was laid aside, and the Senate re-
sumed the consideration of the Homestead bill
Mr.. HUNTER moved to postpone the Homestead
Dill Tor halt an hour in order to dispose of the In
dian Appropriation bill.--Mr. JOHNSON, of
Arkansas, regarded the Homestead bill as an abo-
ltiOn measure, intended to fill up the unoccunied
lands OF the United States with aboitionists and
secure more free States.--The question being
taken, the motion of Mr.. Hunter was not agreed to
yeas 25, nays 30.--The question pending was
on motion of Mr.. FITCH, to add a proviso to the
entered or located in alternate quarter sec
tons; and that the quarter sections or
parts of quarter sections of land which shall
remain to the United States and not subject to entry
under the provisions of this act shall not be sod
for less than double the minimum price of the pub
lie lands when sold; and provided further, that
the provisions of this act shall be applicable only
to land subject to private entry at the date of its
passage. This amendment rejected. Mr..
BROWN advocated the proposition that the pre-
sent preemption laws should be extended un til 9th.
erwise ordered by Congress, and shall be applicable
to all the territories of the United States. MIR.
GREEN argued that the provisions of existing
pre-emptOn laws should be extended for two wears
After the consideration of Executive business the
Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Mr.. SHERMAN, from the Committee of Ways
and Means, reported the Post Office Approximation
bill.-The House again resumed the consideration
OF the bill to suppress poygamy in Utah.-Mr.
NELSON resumed his remarks in support of the
bill, expressing the hope that its passage would ap-
proach as near as possible to unanimty. He saw
a manifest distinction between interfering with the
rights of property and the rights to declare crimi
nal an act which is so declared by the law of God.
The existence of the institution of pOlygamy in
Utah is an insult to the moral feelings of the whole
population, an insult to the wives and daughters
OF gentlemen here, and those of their constituents.
1t was a reflection on national character that
1T should exist under the protection of American
law.-Mr. HOOPER, the delegate from Utah, re-
marked lnaC at the proper time, and events were
now Fastening it, when he could be heard without
prejudice, he would defend the people of Utah from
the caumnies which had been heaped upon them,
In the meantime he appealed to the dispassiOnate
and unbiased judgment of the House to think bet
ter OF the one hundred thousand OF their elowcrea-
lures than they had been represented by their
mics. 1t was not his intention to discuss the
peculiar features of the BILL but he respectfully
asked gentlemen whether they were prepared to
meet the consequences of its passage? Were we
not emerging from difficulties with the people at
whom this bill as levelled He warned gentlemen
that the feelings of the people of tab will be ea-
silly aroused. The suspicion of hostility against
them has been aayed, and he was glad to know
that there abetter feeling now than formerly.
But if this bill be passed and if its provisions be
carried out those angry passions will revive and
wither at the The fires which blazed so fierce
ly, while the fuel of persecution was heaped upon
them, have died out, and he appealed to the repre-
sentatives, not of one party, but all parties to
say whether they were prepared to rekindle the
flames. As the delegate Of all the citizens of Utah
he had to remember he could not allude to the di-
vision of sentiment among them on the subject OF
polygamy any other.-Mr. CLARK, Of Mis-
souri,, asked to what extent polygamy exists in
Utah. What number have more than one wife;
and whether the regulation of such marriages is
regarded as binding on the people.-Mr. HOOPER
replied he not practically a polygamist.
From his observation of ten years residence in
Utah, he could say not over half the population
recognize poygamy, and probably not more than
One-haf of those have more than one wife each
ii e knew of no church regulation which compelled
man to become polygamist, and of no church
regulation which compelled woman to marry
man except voluntarily. He was encouraged to
know there several gentlemen on this floor
who have been acquainted with him for the last
twenty years, and long previous to his identified
tion with the citizens of Utah. They would say
he was not capable of deceit or dissmulation. He
declared on his honor that the passage of this bill
will not be unexceptonable to heextreme advocate:
of poygamy in Utah, and 1t will unite all the peo-
pie in a common cause against the unjust preten-
si0ns of the general Government to put down poly
gamy by force. The House then made verbal
amendment to the BILL and then voted on
and rejected the substitute of Mr.. Branch,
which proposed to repeal the law OF
Congress establishing the territory Of Utah. so far
as to take from the people the power gof egisa-
tion, and vest it in legislative council to be ap-
pointed by the President and disappearing and
annulling the law establishing the Latter Day
Saints Church. The yeas were AZ, nays Ill
The House then voted on and rejected the substi-
tute of Mr.. McClernand, proposing to repeal the
law establishing the territory of Utah, and to di-
vide the territory between the territories of JEFF
ferson and Nevada--yeas 80, nays l59.-Th9
bill was then passed-yeas l49, nays Co.
1t provides for punishment conviction of
polygamy, fine not exceeding five hundred
dollars and Imprisonment not less than two
nor more than five years; and annuls the ordi-
nance of the provisional government of the State
of Dcseret, Incorporating the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints passed in 1851, etc.
and annus all acts and laws which establish, main
tain, protect or countenance the practice of po
lygamy, evasively called spiritual marriage
however disguised by legal or ecclesiastical
sOlem mites, sacraments other contrivances.-
Mr.. SlCKLES brought before the House the sub
iarf nf al nd rtoip