Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-12-18
Thirty-Sixth Conversational Session.

Ihlrty.Slxth Congressional Session.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 12th.-ln the United States
Senate to-day, Mr.. Hunter, from the Committee
on FINANCE, reported back the House bill author
lzlng Tue Issue Ut treasury notes to the amount
OF tel millions OF dollars, with amendments to
the effect that the notes bear interest until called
10 Tor redemptlOn that they be issued in sums as
low as you, aud that the proceeds OF the sale OF
the pu0llc lands be set aside for their redemp-
tlon. 1hese amendments were adopted, With a
further explanatory amendment submitted by
Mr.. Wade, declaring that the pledge OF tie pro-
ceeds OF the public lands shall not prevent Con
gress from making grants OF said lands or other
wise disposing OF them, and the bill finally
passed.
Mr.. Wigfall, of Texas, continued the debate on
the resolution appointing Committee on Fed
eral Affairs. He catechised Mr.. Douglas as to
his Intentions, and enumerated tue terms upon
which the Gulf States would remain in the Un-
ION. These terms were stated to be amend
ments OF the Constitution, ratified by majority
OF the Free States, recognizing slaves as prop
erty, providing tor the return OF fugitive slaves,
and the recognition OF the rights OF the slave
holding States in the Territories. He also
claimed that the North shall abolish its abolition
societies, suppress its abolition papers, prevent
the making OF abolition speeches, and in short
put an end to the discussion or agitation OF the
slavery question in any form. The speech was
altogether extreme in its characteristics, placing
every obstruction in the way OF compromise anG
openly exhibiting the speakers strong predllec-
ton for Southern Contederacy. Az The con-
clusion of the Texas Senator's speech the Senate
went into executive session.
In the House large number of plans for COM
posing our present sectional difficulties and pre-
vent such causes of differences III the future were
submitted, read, and referred to the Special
Committee. Mr.. GroA,s from the Committee on
Territories, gave notice of bills for the organize
ton OF Dacotah and other Territories, and re-
sponded atirmatively to an inquiry whether the
acts of organization would be reported with a
provision forbidding the existence OF slavery in
the new Territories, adding that if the House
thought proper it could reject that proposition.
Without transacting any further business the
House adjourned.
THURSDAY, Dec. 13th.-Both Houses of Con-
gress to day, alter brief session, adjourned O.
yer to Monday. In the Senate, M Johnson, OF
Tennessee, read preamble and resolutions en-
bodying plan for the settlement of the section
al difficulties, which he proposed to submit to
the Special Committee Of Thirteen when ap-
ded his speech, in which he embodied sketch
of the course that would be adopted by South
| Carolina after secession. Mr.. Wade, of Ohio
obtained the floor, but gave way to motion
coming from the Republican side, for an adjourn
ment. The House passed the Treasury Note bill
| with certain amendments, which Were concurred
! in by the Senate, and the bill is now law.
| The most important item OF news, and one Of
decidedly favorable aspect, is the proceeding;
to-day of the House Committee of Thirty-,hree
Mr.. Rust, of Arkansas, submitted a resolution
lamenting the existing discomfort among the
Southern people and the growing hostility 10 the
Federal Government, and declaring that sany
reasonable, proper and Constitutional remedies
and etectual guarantees of their peculiar inter-
ests as recognized By tile Constitution, necessary
to preserve the peace of the country and the
perpetuity of the Union should be promptly and
cheerfully granted" Mr.. Morrill,, Republican
submitted the same resolution without tn words
'aud effectual guarantees of their peculiar in
terests as recognized by the Constitution" as al
amendment. The Committee rejected the a.
mendment-ayes 9, nays 22-Messrs. Campbell
of Pennsylvania, Dunn OF Indiana, Stratton o
New Jersey, Kellogg of Illinois, Howard of Mich
igan, Curtis OF Iowa, Burch of California, Who'd
ham of Minnesota, and Stout of Oregon, voting
with the South against the amendment. Mr.
Ferry, of Connecticut, then submitted substi
tute, which was also rejected, and the Original
resolution submitted by Mr.. Rust adopted-yeas
81, nays s. On the final vote MIR. Corwin voted
with the majority. Mr.. Davis, of Mary land
voted for the resolution and against the amend.
ments throughout. The adoption of this resolu.
ton by SO large vote must be regarded as
forming a good basis for an agreement upon
some satisfactory plan for the settlement of the
pending difficulties.