Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-05-10
THIRTY-sIXTH CONGRESS--FIrst Session.
WASHINGTON, May s. 1860.
SENATE


graduation.
THIRTY-SIxTH CONGREss--First Session.
WASHINGTON, May s, 1860
SENATE.
The Vice President announced the following Senators
as the select committee the French spoiation bill, viz:
Messrs Crittenden Toombs Davis, Hamhn johnson, OF
Tennessee Benjamin and Grimes.
The Chair laid before the Senate communication from
the Postmaster General in resolution of the
Senate of March 9, 1859 calling for information con-
corning the number of dead letters annually returned TO
the General Post Office, &C. From this document, 1t APP
pears that the system proposed by Mr. U, +. Woods Is
attended with embarrsssments that would not repay the
trouble and expense Of carrying it out. Under the pre-
sent system all the really valuable dead letters are re-
turned TO the writer's if delivered to those to whom
they addressed and the accumulation of dead letters
results in part from lack of socude and vigilance on
the part of postmasters and in part from the careless
habits and the comparatively restless lives of the Amer
can people Every possible will be adopted by
the department the first named, while
for the removal of the latter they must look to time and
the people themselves The number Of dead letters re-
ceved during the year ending March 80 1860, wasdo
astic, CTS So drop letters 1874 1893 foreign, 1890
which, added the number held for postage and badly
directed &c. make the total amount ,264, l23.
Mr. Pearce from the committee the library, report
ed Joint resolution providing for an observation OF the
eclipse of the SUM- which will occur on the 18th day OF
July next Having explained the importance IN scien
fc and commercial point of view of the proposed mea
sure with reference to more accurate determination OF
ongtudes the Joint resolution read third time and
passed-yeas ~ nays II.
Mr. Ciugman resumed his remarks, which he com
menced Yesterday giving the why the Democrat
c party would adhere TO the doctrine of non-nterven-
ton aud opposing the resolutions of Mr.. Davis on the
ground that there necessity at the present time
for such declarations in advance. Can Congress pass
bills to establish protect slavery in the terrtore Ii
is only where the people of the territories hostile TO
Il. ia cal In
question therefore, simply this Suppose Q territory
i, hostile 10 slavery aud the legislature will not protect
slave property egsate against IL. Then Il Is
the time when it is said thar Congress ought TO come in.
Is there any political possibility that such aw can pass
the two houses We have bada test upon that already
In the territory Of Kansas which not only does not give
the South any protection but which has legislaed ad-
yersey.
The Senator from Mississippi Mr. Brown had brought
forward proposition to afford protection slave pro-
pertv in that Territory and Southern senators give that
proposition no support Perhaps they know that such
legislation would be uuayaIug; for if every Southern
man should vote for il it could not get the votes OF
Northern representatives in the House. We all know
that camor Was raised three years ago by the
abotiouist when il falsely reported that Congress
intended 10 force slavery into Kansas and the attempt
TO pass such that now proposed would only
result in mischief Even il it should pass, it would be
worth nothing in Territory where the people we're ad-
verse to it, for they became State they would
would require army to enforce the law while they
we're in territorial condition.
He regretted that Southern men should have thought
It necessary to withdraw from the Charleston COnven-
ton and thought they made mistake in so doing IL
time for all good Democrats to close up their ranks,
and prepare to meet the common enemy Tor We should
soon hear tine war-cry from Chicago.
Mr. Benjamin said he had listened with surprise TO
what had fallen from the Senator from North Carolina
The Cincinnati platform would do well enough if there
n buti krOu
that two interpretations put upon at Charleston
Mr.. Pugh disputed the correctness of this statement
Mr. Benjamin qualified his language by saying that two
opposite doctrines this subject were ayo"ed in the
Charleston Convention by claiming 10 be Democrats,
aud proceeded TO advert 10 the action OF that BODY jus
yiug the Southern delegations in Withdrawing under
the circumstances 1t Is brand the good faith of
the Democratic party and imputaon Oh their honor;
il is unworthy of them and of US ALL that we should 20
before the people and ask their votes in favor OF par
y or another with the ayoWed purpose Of presenting op
posite interpretations aud opposite sets OF principles in
different sections of the conederacy being the principles
of a common party. He would never be party such
contest as that
When he went into an electoral contest he wanted to
have the principles of the party with which he acted
written in letters OF light that msconstrue
them-by them to stand with them TO fall That he
understood to be the position of the Louisiana delegation
at Charleston He believed that in less than six weeks
the Democratic party would be reunited He willing
u
constitutional principles and if the Baltimore conven
ton shall adopt platform recognizing Southern rights,
aud the Democratic party pledged TO stand by and
uphold those right the seceders will cheeriully come
back into the Democratic fold Ifsuch platform is
given they will not be the only ones outside One after
another every Democratic State that holds to principle
will follow their example He proceeded to alude TO the
party tactics by Of which minority Of the Charles
ton convention enabled to secure the adoption of
their minority platform.
1oI.s not;o Of NJ
Green the Senate proceeded to the consideration Of
ecutiye business, and soon after adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
The House shortly after assembling went into commit
tee of the whole the state Of the Unon and took up
the tariff biz.
M Houston argued that the existing law had not
been fairly aud properly tested, and therefore he was
unwilling to supcrscde il by another act of legislation.
Its friends calculated that it woud yield $50 100000 au-
nuay; that this year the receipts would reach six mil
lions more and year. according to the estimates of
the Secretary of the Treasury S60,OO00OO Then why
should they higher tax simply to collect higher
amount Of revenue? His view that we should have
commerce uushackled, and should collect money only
TO Gey the expenses and pay the debt OF the govern
menL
Mr. Stanton of Ohio briefly cOutrOvcrted the position
assumed bv his colleague (Mr. Shermau) that, gen
eral rule the duty imports is tax on the consumer.
Mr. Morrill, Of Vermont, explained the provisions of
the bill which, he said for the benefit OF the great
farming, mining and manufacturing interests 1t should
not be treated as party measure.
The general debate was now closed
Messrs. Taylor and Millson severaly offered amend
mens 10 increase the proposed tax sugar. with view
20 the collection of revenue.
Mr. Petit moved that sugar and moasses be admitted
free of duty. But all these amendments were voted
down.
Mr. Hughes moved an amendment that there be thirty,
instead Of ten cents pound snuff and twenty-tour,
instead Of twenty cents pound manufactured eal
tobacco. The amendment agreed to.
Mr. Houston moved 10 strike out the proposed specific
duties iron, and to insert dd Uaiorem of twenty
five per cent but after debate the amendment with
drawn.
Varisus amendments were offered and discussed
At O'Clock motion made by Mr. Blrksdae that
the committee rise. This motion resisted by the Re-
pubcans who wanted to make such progress the bill
that the mig be taken on its passage tomorrow
Thursday.
NJ. Sherman alluded to the business accommodations
afforded by the Republicans TO the Democrats during the
late Charleston Convention and he did not think the Dem
ocats were serving them fairly now, when gentlemen
fused to vote breaking up quorum. 1t important
to facilitate business the tariff as some members be
longing the American party designed 10 be ABSENTEE
morrow, and some Republicans will leave for Chicago
this week.
It was said on the Democratic side in response that
the Democrats we're not prepared to act hastily the
bill and besides only two speeches had been made from
that quarter on the subject.
Owing TO some of the Democrats declining to vote, the
committee repeatedly found itself without quorum al
though it appeared by the consequent roll calls that one
was present The struggle prolonged till eight
o'clock when the committee rose and the House adj
jOurned.
FATAL ACCIDENT AT NIAGARA FALLs.-0n Sunday
son Of the late Dr. Mackin of Chippewa and nephew OF
the Hon. Thomas Street. fell into the river and was