Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-12-18
Thirty.sixth Congress Second Session.

MONDAY, Dec. 1O-This was an exciting day
in both Houses of Congress- The Senate re
sumed the discussion of Mr.. Powell's resolution
for the appointment of special Committee OF
Federal Affairs. The debate took wide range
and was very interesting. The general tone
was conciliatory and hopeful, though ultraists OF
both sides gave expression to contrary views
Mr.. Preston King, of New York, and Mr.. Sum
ner, of Massachusetts, were defiant and uncom.
promising whilst Messrs. Davis and Brown, o.
Mississippi, declared the hour of settlement pass
ed and secession an unavoidable event. Messrs
Dixon and Foster, of Connecticut, and Mesers
Douglas and Pugh, spoke in conservative and
conciliatory strain. Mr.. Mason, of Virginia
avowed a willingness to vote for the Committee
but despaired OF any good result. The Senate
finally adjourned without coming to a VOTE
In the House Mr.. Hawkins, of Florida press
ed his desire to be relieved from an appoint
ment onsthe Committee of Thirty-three and a.
vowed his inability to agree to any compromise,
believing secession to be a duty as we'll as BEN
efit for the South. He commented also on the
formation of the Committee, and especially de-
nounced the appointment of Mr.. Henry Winter
Davis as the representative of Maryland. Mr.
Valandigham, of Ohio, and Mr.. McClernand, Of
Illinois, also protested against the formation Of
the Committee asrpartizan and unfair. After a
prolonged debate, conducted in good temper, the
House adjourned without taking vote on the
motion to excuse Mr.. Hawkins from serving on
the Committee.
bill was reported from the Committee o1
Ways and Means, authorizing the issue Of ten
million dollars of Treasury notes for the imme-
diate relief of the Treasury Department. They
are to be issuabe until 1868, and redeemable
from the proceeds of the remaining eleven mil
liou dollars loan authorized at the last session,
when sold. An effort was made to amend the
bill by pledging the revenue arising from the
sale OF the public lands for the redemption OF
notes, but rejected-ayes 70, nays l24. The bill
was then passed in the form reported.
TUESDAY, Dec. 11th.-Both Houses of Con-
gress had rather quiet and uneventful sessions
to-day. The Senate debated Mr.. PowelPs reso-
luton for the reference of Federal affairs to a
Special Committee of thirteen, without coming
to vote. Mr.. Bigler made an earnest Union
address, and Mr.. Iverson renewed his protesta-
tions against all efforts at compromise or concl-
iation. According to him, the Gulf States have
determined on secession and will be satisfied with
nothing else. Mr.. Pugh protested against such
extreme views. Mr.. Collamer, of Vermont, Re-
publican, spoke briefly in favor of moderation
and concillation. A conversational debate fol
lowed on the subject of the Fugitive Slave law
and its execution in the Northern States, in
which Senators Pogh, Mason, Douglas, Powell
and others participated.
The House finally refused to excuse Mr. Haw-
kins from serving on the Special Committee on
the State of the Union. Mr.. Boyce, of South
Carolina, also asked to be excused, but the
House refused by tie vote to grant the request.
During the proceedings casual debate occurred,
in which Mr.. Smith, of Virginia, indicated q
desire to secure the adoption OF measures for the
preservation of the Union. The House resolved
to refer all matters relating to Federal affairs to
the Special Committee and then adjourned.