Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-05-24
THIRTY-sIxTH CONGREss-.First Session.
SENATE

WASHINGTON, May ~.
SENATE.
Mr. Fessenden, from the committee on finance, re-
ported back the deficiency BILL and recommended that
the Senate concur in the amendments OF the House oil
Representatives and recede from its amendments
TO which the House disagreed
After some discussion the question Of allowing con-
strucye mileage to the widow OF Senator Lnn Tor the
sessions of 1887 and 1884, the Senate receded from that
amendment by vote Of yeas 81 nays and the bill IS
therefore passed.
Mr. Mason from the committee on foreign relations, to
whom referred tue bill carry into effect the pro
visions of the treaty between the United States and Ch
na Japan, SIAM Persia and other countries giving GER
tan judicial powers to ministers and consus OF the United
States in those countries and for other purposes asked
to be discharged from the further consideration oil the
same and that il be referred TO the committee on the lu
dietary, the committee were of opinion that the sub
ect was more appropriate to that committee; which was
agreed to.
Mr. Davis from the committee on printing, reported
in favor of printing the usual number OF certain docu-
ments; agreed to.
Mr. Latham introduced bill making grant OF land
in alternate sections to the State Of California, to aid 10
the construction OF railroads thereni Wnlch was reau
twice and referred.
Mr. Pearce, from the committee finance, to whom
referred the diplomatic and consular appropriation
bill which had been returned from the House OF Repre-
sentatves with suudry Senate amendments disagreed TO-
recommended that the Senate insist on all its amend
agreed to.
The special order was then taken up.
Mr. Hale and Mr.. Pugh discussed the question at some
length whether the ordnance of 1881 abolished slavery
in the Northwest Territory or not.
Mr.. Benjamin made a clear and logical argument IN be-
half of the rights of the South under the Constitution
lie commenced his remarks b abiding to the invasion
at Harpers Ferry for the avowed purpose of interior
ing with domestic institution TO set the slaves at lib
erty.
The whole country was deeply stirred by this occur
renee especially the South and this universal excitement
found immediate vent in Congress. Several different
propositions bearing this subject we're presented In
the Senate but it found that their discussion in
this would be pointess and as was presumed
that there was similarity of opinion among the Demo
cratic members caucus held TO agree upon such
series of resolutions as might express their views. He
proceeded to notice the recent speech OF Mr.. Douglas
filling twenty columns of the Globe, in an attempt TO set
forth his peculiar claims to the Presidency; aud more
than half of that speech devoted TO the perfectly idle
aud unnecessary task of proving that the principles which
he now asserts were advocated by him years and years
ago-hereby proving to the Senate and the country TO
which he appeals often that there has been no incon
tency in his course, but that all the inconsistency is
with those who oppose his present position Mr.. b.
would 60 back further than 1887 when the Senator
from Illinois was in full fellowship with his party.
The question arose. and the various members of the
democratic party could not agree upon it, but they all
agreed to leave it the decision of the courts Now the
Senator refuses TO abide by the decision because it was
against him. His very consistency what we complain
Of He worshipping the idols OF evasion and cir
convention. Mr.. b. took up the various arguments of
Mr. Douglas and replied TO them seriatiD On the con
cuson of his remarks
Mr.. Wigfall obtained the floor, but gave way to
Mr.. Pugh, who defended the position of Mr.. Douglas,
in the of his remarks censung the administration
for its proscrpye course towards those who hold those
opinions lie denied that the bred Scott decision APP
Piled all TO the question of the right of Congress to
!egisate upon TIE subject Of slavery in the Territories
which the question that Mr.. Douglas had agreed to
leave to the courts.
Mr. Pugh, in the course Of his remarks referred to
the Charleston convention and said the seceders had no.
right to come back the Baltimore convention and thas
he would vote against allowing one OF them seat unles
reelected.
Mr. WigfaI discussed the meaning of the bred Scott
decision.
When he had concluded the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Mr. Dawes from the committee on elections, reported
resolutions declaring, first that D. K Barrett not and
secondly that Francis Blair is entitled to the seat Of the
first Congressional District Of Missouri. The majority
and minority reports were ordered to be printed.
Mr. Dawes said il was the desire Of the committee to
call up the subject the earliest practicable period and
his motion resolution adopted giving leave to
Mr. Blair to occupy the floor and speak to the
merits Of the question.
The House resumed the consideration of the Atlantic
and Pacific telegraph bill.
Mr. Colfax explained the amendments which the COM
mittee on the posoilce proposed The government is to
pay S4OOOu per year for the transmission OF messages
aud the public 10 be charged s. for ten words If the
cOrporatOrs do accept these terms within thirty days
then sealed proposals to be invited and the
TO be given the lowest responsible bidders. The line
be built within ten years and St Joseph No. 10 be
the point of departure.
Mr. Collax earnestly urged the passage of the bill,
showing the great advantages which will result from
to the government.
Mr. Burnett opposed the measure on the ground that
il would be creating oppressive monopoly.
Oher gentlemen also expressed their views on the sub
iec, when it passed over.
The House took up the West Point Military Academy
BILL and reconsdered the by which the amendment
for calling mounted regiment OF Texan volunteers into
the field cOncurred in. The vote was again taken,
when the amendment was rfjectcd-twelye majority
The Speaker laid before the House special message
from the President Of the United States, communicating
the fact that the steamer Wyaudotte has captured
another cargo of Africans and stating that these togeth
or with the negroes captured on board the Wdhre
make a thousand in the hands Of the United
States marshal at Key West Therefore the President
again calls attention the necessity Of making further
provisions with regard 10 their health The message
referred to the committee on the Judiciary
The House in committee Of the whole the state of
the Union resumed the consideration Of the legislative
judicial and executive appropriation bill.
During the action amendments, Mr.. Pryor made an
Intellectual motion 10 strike the appropriation for
porting and publishing the debates. He said that the in
dependent press furnish all that is necessary TO be
known.
Other gentlemen followed 10 the debate giving their
views of them saying that but for the Globe many
Of the essays not one line OF which was spoken or
delivered, would never appear in PRINT
An amendment was adopted to confne the official re-
porers the proceedings in ORDER aud exclude unde
vered speeches.
Other amendments, not of generally interesting
character, made to the bill
Mr. Staunton offered amendment, striking out the
appropriation for auxiliary guard saying the police
did not protect public meetings here
No question taken; and the committee rose, and
the House adjourned.
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