The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1860-01-26

not 10 be maintained. He was particularly Sc
we're on the Republicans, ana said that they ig.
more State sovereignty, and proposed to inter
fere with State rights in the prosecution of their
ianatical purposes. In conclusion, he advocated
the policy of secession as a preventive remedy
against injustice.
Mr.. Carter, of New York, gave his reasons
for voting for Mr.. Sherman He said he did
not, by doing so, endorse the doctrines of the
Helper book. Instead of the Democratic party
being national, it was pro,slavery. He wished
TO know whether the South Americans advocate
Congressional protection to slaves in the Terri
tories.
Messrs Hardeman, Quarles, Moore of Ken
tueky, aud Boteler, said, ia effect, that they
did.
Mr.. Etheridge said that according to the in
depreciation OF the Kansas. Nebraska act, the
people have the right to regulate the question
OF slavery In their own way; and so help him
God, he would never vote to put slavery in
those Territories so long as that act remains
unrepealed
Mr.. Briggs, of New York, explained his
views on the question. He never believed
there was any necessity for any protection for
slavery beyond what was required by the Con-
stitution. He advocated kind of squatter
sovereignty question.
Mr.. Carter, resuming, said he understood the
Southern Opposition to be in favor of such
code.
Much of the time was occupied in asking
questions as TO the position of various gentle
men on the question of slave code for the
Territories.
After some remarks by Messrs. Moorhead,
Montgomery, and Covode, of PeEirsvlvania, the
House adjourned
Thursday, January 10, 1860.
SENATE.
Sundry petitions were presented and re-
ferred.
Reports were made from various commit
tees.
On motion of Mr.. Douglas, the Senate took
up the resolution offered by him on Monday
last, instructing the Committee on the Judicial
ny to report a bill for the protection of the
States and Territories against invasions from
other States.
Mr.. Douglas moved that the resolution be
made the special order for Monday next, at
half past one clock which motion was agreed
to.
Mr.. King, of New York, introduced a resolu-
ton of inquiry into the alleged co1ruptions of
the Printers to the last and present Congress,
and especially as to the charge that $4l 900
had been paid by the Printer to certain news
papers.
On motion, the resolution was permitted to
lie over.
The Senate then adjourned
HOUSE
After the reading of the journal,
The Clerk stated that the question first in
order was on the admissblity of the resolution
of the gentleman from Ohio, Mr.. Hutchns ;;
and that on that question the gentleman from
Arkansas Mr.. Hindman was entitled to the
floor.
Mr.. Hindman having concluded his speech,
MIR. Bingham, Of Ohio, called for vote on
the question in order before the House-the
objection to the resolution of his colleague,
Mr.. Hutchins and on that motion demand
ed the previous question.
Mr.. Winslow, of n. c., said will make sug-
geston by which we might get rid OF all these
matters, and clear the Clerks table 1t is that,
by the common consent of all sides of the
House, all questions be withdrawn until We
reach the resolution of the gentleman from Mis-
souri,, Mr.. Clark, and the substitute of the
gentleman from North Carolina, Mr.. Gilmer
that gentlemen shall be allowed to debate these
propositions who desire to do so, and that then
the vote shall be upon striking out and insert
ing.
Mr.. Barksdale inquired whether it was the
understanding Of the gentleman from North
Carolina that a vote can be had on the plural
ity rule, after all the motions before the House
shall have been disposed Of.
Mr.. Winslow replied, not at all.
Mr.. Barksdale, for himself declared his de-
termination TO resist vote on the plurality rule
to the last.
Mr.. Colfax. Let me ask the gentleman from
Mississippi question. 1t is well for the coun-
try to understand what is going on here. | ask
the gentleman whether there has not been
written agreement signed upon his side of the
Hoiise,, that the plurality rule shall not be al
lowed to be voted on in this House -?
Mr.. BarkSdale made an evasive answer.
Mr.. Burnett, of Kentucky. said:
With the permission Of the gentleman from
Indiana, Mr.. Clerk, | will answer the question
which he has propounded. am one of the
members who, early in thezsession, announced
my opposition 10 the adoption Of the plurality
rule, because | believed it was vioative of the
Constitution, by placing the power in the hands
of a minority here to elect Speaker of the
House of Representatives. | announce the
same opposition to-day; and | tell the gentle
man from Indiana that there is a written agree
ment of members upon this side of the House,
that there is a written pledge of members of
this side, to resist the adoption of the plurality
rule by all Parliamentary means. | am one Of
those members who will, by Parliamentary
strategy, by every means | have, as Repre-
sentative of the people of Kentucky, resist the
adoption of that unconstitutional resoluton-a
resolution not only violative OF the Constitution
of the United States, but of Parliamentary law
itself.
Mr.. Colfax. The gentleman from Kentucky
is so frank, that will ask him another quea.
ton. Does that agreement pledge resistance
to the plurality resolution Of majority, even if
two-thrds of this House express their desire to
vote for against that resolution; does it, in
that case, pledge resistance to the House even
taking vote on the question?
Mr.. Burnett | desire to say to the gentle
man from Indiana, that the gentlemen who
have pledged themselves to that agreement in
tend to stand by it, let the numbers be what
they may.
Mr.. Colfax ask the gentleman whether he
will answer my question. Win you prevent a
vote being taken on the resolution2
Mr.. Burnett | say, upon my responsibility
as a Representatives do not know how many
will back me know not how many agree
with me; bat speaking for myself, sir-that
am ready and willing to cooperate with any
member to defeat the adoption of the plurality
rule by all the Parliamentary means that can be |
resorted to, even up to the moment when my
commission expires as a member upon this
floor. Applause and Kisses in the galleries. |
In reply to a further question by Mr.. Colfax,
Mr.. Burnett said: e
! say that am ready to defeat the adoption |
of that resolution by a resort to all the tactics
known and recognised by Parliamentary iav, /
such as dilatorY motions to adjourn, calls for
the yeas and nays, calls Of the House, and 9TH |
ers. l will defeat, if can, the selection, by |
->ft e Il L. III
preside over our deliberations from the num-
har Of 10 bo- Il e.