Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-04-04
WAsHISOTOy, April 2, 1860.

WAsnISGTON, April z, 1860.
Mr.. Brown asked and obtained leave TO introduce a
bill to amend act entitled IAN act TO amend act to
establish criminal court in the District of Columbia
which was read twice aud referred.
Mr.. Powell, from the committee pensions, to whom
was referred the petition of Mary j. Walbach widow Of
Brevet General Wabach, reported bill for her relief
which was read and passed to second reading.
Mr.. Powell, from the same committee to whom was
referred the petition of Mary Chase Barney sole daugh
ter and survivor Of Samuel Chase of the sgners of
the Declaration of Independence made an adverse
port thereon, aud said that the committee unani-
mousy ofopnon that her prayer ought not to be granted
Mr.. Mason asked and obtained leave to introduce a
bill to declare the meaning Of the entitled "an act
making further provisions for the satisfaction of Virginia
land warrants" passed August 81, 1882
On motion OF Mr.. Brown a resolution was adopted in
sructing the committee the District of Columbia to
inquire into the eXpedency of an appropriation for the
completion Of the Washington aqueduct.
Mr. Hunter reported back the Indian appropriation bill
with amendments and gave notice that he should call it
up on tomorrow morning.
On motion of Mr.. Benjamin. the Senate proceeded to
the consideration of the bill for the final adjustment of
private land claims in the States of Florida louisiana
Arkansas and Missouri and for other purposes The bill
explained and advocated by Messrs Benz amin and
Polk, and having been amended in conformity with a
suggestion of Mr.. King, it read third time and
passed.
The bill TO authorize the location of certain warrants
1885,
passed.
The special order was then taken up being the resou-
uiOns OF Mr. Davis the subject OF territorial rights
&c.
Mr. Salisbury who had the floor on this subject said
that these resolutions the occasion rather than the
text of bis discourse He should advert to the present
condition Of the Union, the evils which menace it, and
the remedy for these evils In discussing this subject he
proceeded TO aude to the past history Of this govern
ment holding the republican doctrines as enunciaed by
Mr. Seward and other members of that he
OF slavery agitation, and urging that the only
OF restoring harmony and nsurng peace prosper
ity and happiness, for all conservative men to lay
aside their previous differences Union matters and raj
" TO the support of the Democratic party-the only
Union and constitutional party.
Mr.. Ten Eyck indicated the character of New Jersey
a UniOnoVug and Constitutona-abding State, and
stated that she had passed laws of her to carry out
the provision of the Constitution for the return OF ugi
tiyes from labor.
Mr. Brown defended himself from the charge ofhayng
departed from the ancient landmarks in invoking the
ton of Congress for the protection Of slave property in
the territories.
Mr. Wigfal said that so far from the doctrine being
true that cannot hold property in man the very first
property that did hold under government in
sttuted by God himself amid the mutterng thunders and
flashing ghtning of Sinai in his feowman. In these
latter DAYS Of progress Latter Day Saints assume to
be wise above what is written and hold that it is mmor
al to do what God commanded and authorized.
lut IcSolutOLo NClc dtu vi laDlei anu
adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Mr.. Hickman, from the committee on the Judiciary
reported bill extend the right of appeal from the de
cisons Of Circuit Courts to the Supreme Court of the
United States.
The House proceeded to the consideration of the bill
TO punish and prevent the practice of poygamy in the
Territories of the United States and other places and
disappearing and annulng certain Of the Legislative
Assembly of the Territory of Utah
Mr. Mison remarked that this bill should be passed
with much unanmity il is possible secure. He
said that the crime of polygamy not only extensive
g practced but attempted to be legzed by statute
in the Territory of Utah. lie contended that Congress
has the power under the constitution to punish crimes
murder, arson, forgery, and Others-and said that in
the very first year after the adoption of the federal con
stitutiOn a law passed for these purposes.
Mr. McClernand remarked that there WAS no instance
in which Congress had directly operated for the punish
ment of crime in the organized Territories
Mr. MisOn replied referring to the statutes heretofore
passed. show that Congress has extended penal laws
wherever the government has jurisdiction.
Mr. Pryor contended that the question of constitution
al power is sustained by the uniform policy of this gov
erument. Congress may supervise and annul the Or
game law Of any ncpient State. The republican party
associate pO!ygamy and slavery twin relics of bar
barism out he disputed the philosophy of the cAs.fca-
ton. lie denied that they stand on the same ground,
and would fall together when driven from the shelter of
a common security. He repudated the suggestion that
the power which Congress possesses the Territories
for the punishment of crime aud the suppression OF po
ygamy may be perverted for the destruction of the rights
and interests of persons holding slaves.
Mr. Hooper, the delegate from tab, reminded the gen
teman that polygamy is a part Of Norman relieous
fii'h
Mr. Pryor, reslning, said he had examined the Nor
Bible aud had not therein discovered that polyga
my is part Of their religion. lie did not however pre-
tend to be acquainted with oil the pOemics of the salt
Lake Saints. The results Of poygamy in the
bitter fruits OF sediion and crime. This sclndaous
crime should be extpaed Ii offensive in the eyes
OF nations, and roproach 10 ciyi liberty.
Mr. Eheridge said he should go for this bill or any
other aud this TO be attributed to his early pety
Laughter. lie found the Democrats and Republicans
both hamonzing to the power Of Congress the
Territories This question, he repeated brought up the
whole question 10 the power of Congress govern
h, Territories. He referred to the conduct of the DEM
ocrats show how often they have charged their
ch,m on this subject. The Normons, by the orgaLc
act we're left to manage theiEpmestc institutions in
their own way and they choossVb establish pOlygamy-
If Congress prohibit poiygamy they could prohibit
the kindred crimes of incest and adultery and also
trpate slavery by unfrendly legislation In reply to
que ton he said that 10 the latter the only guarantee
he rad the liberiy aud good sense of Congress.
Mr. Taylor gave the reasons why be could not vote for
the BILL which, he thought would be dead letter on the
statute book He advocated the amendment of Mr.
Branch TO deprive the people of Utah OF their present
form of government which would more offectuay ex-
tirplte pol5gam lie denied tue constitutional power
to egsste over Territories in the manner proposed.
Without taking any vote the subject the House, at
nearly five o'clock adjourned.
TITR nYyGESATRn nITT.Hs