The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1860-01-05
THIRTY,sIXTH CONGRESS,
First Session.


First Session.
Wednesday,, December %, 1859.
The Senate was not in session, having ad.
journed over to Friday.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Morris, of Illinois, being entitled to the
floor, yielded it to Mr.. Rust, of Arkansas, who
spoke about on hour.
Mr.. Morris then commenced reading speech,
in which he commented With great severity
upon the positions taken by the President on
the Slavery question in his late message, and
upon his past policy in relation to -that subject,
his Interpretation Of the bred Scott decision,
&c.
Before concluding his speech, Mr.. Morris
gave way to ballot for Speaker.
Mr.. Brabson, of Tennessee, nominated Hor-
ace Maynard, of that State, assuring the House
that Mr.. Maynard, although he had supported
Mr.. Fillmore in 1856, had never belonged to
the American organization.
A ballot being taken, the following was the
result:
Sherman l0l
Maynard IS
Scattering AZ
During the balloting, many Democratic
members who voted for Mr.. Maynard gave their
reasons for so doing, and many changed their
votes after the call of the roll
The House then adjourned.
Thursday, December 20, 1859.
The Senate was not in session.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Morris, of Illinois, resumed his remarks
from yesterday. He said the great doctrine of
popular sovereignty is now 10 peril. The Dem.
ocratic party was divided on the subject. The
ultra Representatives from the slaveholding
States had abandoned it. II was not disputed
that the Cincinnati platform recognises it but
this, it seems, makes no difference. The Pres.
ident and the ultra Democrats have torn up the
planks and interpolsted new Ones and drove
the political car fearfally near to the precipice.
This was inaugurated last session, with the ia.
nous Lecompton swindle. The President pur.
sued those who opposed it, especially from Hi.
nois, with personal malignity, while he was bid.
ding for the nomination of the Charleston Con.
vention. He gave notice that the Democ.
racy of the West would, at Charleston, submit
to no new tests, and would recognise as Demo.
Gratis only those who would fight for the Union
inside of the Union, and not outside of it.
Mr.. Scott condemned the speech of the gen.
tleman. He said that, coming from friend of
Judge Douglas, it would be quoted against the
Democracy. He gave notice that be should at
future time reply to such part of the speech
as refers to California.
Messrs. Burch and Scott further explained
the merits of the California election, in connec-
ton with the Lecompton question. Mr.. Scott
remarked, that though he differed in toto from
Judge Douglas on the Territorial question, yet
he would vote for him in preference to the
Presidential nominee of the Black Republicans.
Mr.. Grow responded to the remarks delivered
by Mr.. Branch the other day. In defending his
action of last session, in connection with the
defeat of the Post Office appropriation bill, he
said that Mr.. Branch had violated all parlia.
mentary and gentlemanly courtesy in impeach.
ing his motives.
Mr.. Branch. l ask whether the gentleman
means to impute to me any conduct unbecom-
ing gentleman.
Mr.. Grow. would ask the gentleman to re.
fer to his own language.
! Mr.. Branch. again ask whether you imputs
to me conduct unbecoming gentleman.
Mr.. Grow. The gentleman said the other day
that wished the defeat of the Post Office ap-
preparation bill, to compel the President to call
an extra session. say this inputstion was not
gentlemanly.
Mr.. Branch. Do you design imputing to me
any conduct unbecoming gentleman?
| Mr.. Grow. What said was plain English
| There it stands. The gentleman impugned my
action on the Post Office appropriation bill,
which everywhere is thought to be an infringe
ment of parliamentary law.
| Mr. Branch The gentleman not responding
to the inquiry, shall take failure to respond
as an affirmative answer.
! DIR. Grow. Z on can do as you please. The
gentleman said my object was to kill the bill
that the President might be compelled to call
an extra session. He took back nothing tina,
| he had said.
| Mr.. Grow proceeded to defend his action on
the Post Office appropriation bill of last session
Having referred to the fact that twenty-nine
Democrats voted for his motion on that occa.
Mr.. Vallandigham gave the reasons for his
course on the Post Office appropriation bill, say
ing that he was willing to assume the respon-
sibiity of his action, and that Mr. Grow ought
to be willing to do likewise, without trying to
hold the Democracy responsible for the defeat
of that bill.
Mr.. Pryor replied at length to the remarks
which had previously been delivered by mem
bers in opposition to the Democratic party
The South were fully acquainted with the de-
signs of the Republicans and prepared to meet
them. He defended the South from the charges
that she had violated any compacts or compre
misses.
The House then resolved to proceed to an
other ballot for Speaker.
Mr.. Maynard Internationally withdrew hi.
name as a candidate for the Speakership.
Mr.. English nominated Mr.. Scott, of Califor
MIA, as a candidate, who ought to be satisfactory
to every national man.
The House again proceeded to vote for Speak
er. Necessary to choice, LOG. Mr.. Sherman
received l02, Mr.. Scott 80, Mr.. Gilmer Id
scattering, IL.
The House then adjourned.