Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-01-07
rm1Rrr-srxrM CONGRESS --Frr., se..Io

.AsHISGroN, Jan. s


The Senate met at I o'clock.
Various petitions and memorials were presented and
bills introduced in relation private claims and papers
were Withdrawn from the files for reference to the APP
propiiatc committees
Mr. Hammond e.; his request, was excused from sery
ug on tine committee Of finance.
Mr. Toombs was excused from serving on the com
u.ttee ON revolutionary claims and Mr. Fessendea from
serving ON the special committee appointed yesterday on
certain land claims in Louisiana.
Thu. motion to print the Presidents message and the
Treasury report were referred 10 the committee on print
ing.
ON motion o? Nr salisbury, a resolution was adopted
relrsuc taa Secretary of War 90 communicate TO the
Senate copy of the report and estimate OF Captain John
Newton, of h. engineer corps in relation TO the con
--rr,e.on of q wharf pier 40 Lcwc-, Del
Nr King presented the petition of Edward ID. Nor
gan. of View York and three hundred Others, PRAYING
,hc passage OF the homestead lli
on motion, the Senate adjourned till Monday
INorr-Vr Toomb- Is appointed on the finance COM
mirtcc and Mr. Foster on - special committee, to ill
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
M Morris of Illinois, offered % resolution which was
read for information that the superintendent OF the pub
be, buildings be- directed to replace ie desks and chairs
as they were in this hall previous 10 their Temoyalnd to
aDable him TO DO So hc bee directed prepare for tenn
porary occupancy the old ball Of representatives. He
SAID be would call nap she resolution this morning
Mr. Brigham and others objected
IL
his former proposition for temporary organization, on
the GROUND that 80 was violation OF the constitution
Be had offered It In good faith We in debt to the
mail contractors $iuuUuul. IL is an honest debt-hon-
e,v contracted for services honestly performed. 1t Is
not a democratic, republican or American debt but "a
national debt Adopt his proposition and they could
pass the postohice appropriation bill and redeem the
credit OF the nation.
Mr Wilson said IL the gentleman anxious TO pay
the debt he would ask him to adop, the plurality rule
now
Mr. Montgomery replied that if he we're TO accept it
others were unwilling to 10 II three-i0urths were
willing to accept aud If the other fourth protest, or
r,uizltion could not be effected nor II ten men
protested The proposition fair, honest and just
and he insisted il was constitutional aud referred 10 past
legislative history show the pr,ccdents in such cases
Mr. Stevens asked whether his colleague could show
that before an organization Speaker pro ten had ever
been elected:
Mr.. Montgomery replied that in ls59-4O Mr.. Adams
was elected chairman.
Mr. Stevens raised point of order-that the resolu-
ton of Mr. Montgomery (Which that gentleman renew
ed is not in order for the that previous to en-
terng upon business the of Congress provides that
the Speaker shall be in and that the Speaker shall
then proceed to administer the oath TO the clerk and
the members aud resolution of this body can repeal
H. The proposition was absurdy to egsate be-
fore the House was organized by the election OF Speak
err and clerk The precedents of the gentlemen are not
applicable to this case.
The further consideration of the subject here rested
Mr. Reagan resumed his remarks from yesterday, IN
opposition 10 the doctrines Of the republican party, and
spoke of gentlemen endorsing the circulation OF the Hell
per book which contains reasonable doctrines and Of
having placed one of the endorsor of the book IN nom
nation for Speaker All men, conservative, should have
patriotism enough to come up together rising above
transient questions and meet the common enemy, whose
success would only further endanger the pepetuy OF
the cOnfcdcracy.
Mr. Wells said that they had been here for five weeks
eudeavoring to elect a Speaker. He much pleased
with the remarks of Mr. McRae who had remarked that
he was fair man. and wanted fair play. In this pugi
lstic ring for il could be called by much better
name there was nothing like fair play. We here, he
said 10 organize the House; and he advocated the adOp
ton Of the plurality rule the best calculated to pro-
mot, that object. To this they must ultimately resort
lie was willing to stay here and vote from until to-
morrow morning. so that they might answer the expec
taons of the country and afford relief to the suffering
mail contractors.
Some explanations took place between Messrs Reagan
and Gooch as to their remarks yesterday.
The House again voted for Speaker, two ballots being
taken in each of which Mr. Sherman lacked only three
votes OF an election.
Mr. Vaandigham received the first ballot IS votes
and on the next fell down >; and Mr. BococE having
been placed in nomination. received sc votes. Mr. Gil
mer was the next highest, receiving Il votes in both
ballots and many scattering votes.
Mr. Miles rose and made some suggestions in regard
10 an organization.
Mr. Hickman proposed question to Mr. Adriin, which
opened up a spirited cOloquy between him and Mr.. Da-
Wis of Indiana and Messrs. Porter and Dunn, from the
same State.
Mr. Porter and Mr.. Dunn insisted that Mr.. Davis in
the last Congressional canvass had denounced the bred
Scott decision Mr. Davis pronounced the charge false.
He had denounced the Presidents Interpretation oft
For a time there was much excitement. Mr.. Miles has
the floor for tomorrow. Adjourned