Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-12-25

1t NAV be for q season that the sunshine ant
refreshing showers will continue and will re
main, and that art and science and tho com
forts OF civilization will continue to bless thu
people as now but over all the destroying
ANGEL that has turned So many realms int
dcsolation, slowly but silently, will inevitably
extend his pinions until the fair palaces Of thi!
country become like the faded cities of i'm
pcrial republics in the old world.
Mr.. Pugh having concluded
Mr.. Nicholson moved to postpone the rcsolu
tons, which was agreed to.
Mr.. Cameron moved that the Senate adjourn
to Monday next, and that it meet every three
DAYS during the ensuing week.
Mr.. DooIittle was opposed to thus evadlnG
the Constitution to obtain 4 recess. He wa:
in favor of 4 joint resolution for adjournine
over.
Mr.. Douglas said he saw hope for the country,
and he trusted the Senate would continue IL
session and maintain the Constitution and en-
~teavor to preserve the Union.
Mr.. Cameron cxclailned-My God cannot
We have Il holiday without the Constitution be
Ing brought in at every turn lie desired to
return to his constituents and his Grcsldc, and
learn their sentiments on the pending questions.
As for the Union, he believed there was too
much good sense, patriotism, and intelligence
in the people for them to permit the destruction
of il. ,
Mr.. Mason thought The Senate might as well
take the recess. Congress could moi save the
Union, for that question rested with the people
OF the States-they alone could settle II.
Mr.. Powell hoped that no recess would be
taken.
The Vice President here arose and said, that
before the adjournment he desired TO naIne the
committee of thirteen. 1t would be observed
that there were, in one instance. two Senators
from ono State. This. he thought, was unavoid'
able rs the Senator from kentucky CIR. Pow
ell was by courtesy the Chairman, and lc
GMr. Crittcndcn) to place him also on the com
mlttcr.
The committee was named as follows:
From kentucky, Mr.. Powell and Mr.. CrItteN-
den; from Virginia, Mr.. Hunter; from Illinois,
Mr.. Douglas; from Mississippi, Mr.. Davis; from
New York, Mr.. Seward; from Vermont, Mr..
Collalncr; from Pennsylvania, Mr.. Biglcr; from
Georgia, Mr.. Toernbs; from Ohio, Mr.. Wade;
from Wisconsin, Mr.. Doolittle; from Minnesota,
Mr.. Rice; from Iowa, Mr.. Grimes.
Mr.. Davis said that he desired TO be excused
from serving on the committee. lie had no
explanation 10 make.
The motion 10 excuse him was put and agreed
IL.
The motion for a recess was not taken. The
Senate then adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Mr.. Dclano asked leave to offer the following
resolution:
That Whereas, BY the report Of the PreSl.
dent in the South Carolina State Convention
held on the 10Th inst, the Hon. Willium
Porchcr Miles is SAID to have stated to the
House, III You send 4 solitary soldier to these
forts, the instant the intelligence reaches our
people I'VE will take care that it does reach us
before il can reach the forts) they will be taken,
because such Il course is necessary 10 or safety
and self preservation" Therefore,
Resolved, that the President Of the United
States be requested to communicate to this
House what information he has received, either
oral or in writing, on this subject; and whether
the forts Of the harbor Of Charleston, II FUR
Their reinforced, will be taken by any force,
authority or supremacy.
MIR. Ashlnurc wanted to know where the in
formation came from?
Mr.. Maynard objected 10 the consideration ol
the resolution.
The Speaker said il was not in order.
Mr.. Reynolds, from the Judiary Committee,
reported in favor Of the proposed impeach-
mcnt Of Judge Watrous of Texas, and his re-
port was made the special order for Thursday
next.
lie also reported back the bill repeating the
act establishing the Court of Claims, with an
amendment.
On motion Of Mr.. Sherman, the House re-
solved itself into Comm ittcc Of the Whole, Mr..
Grow in the Chair.
The bill granting alternate sections of land
to Nebraska for railroad purposes, TO which
Mr.. Curtis had moved the Pacific Railroad bill
rs m amendment, was taken up.
Mr.. Reagan Of Texas. Offered his amendment
rs IN addition to the bill. lie explained that
it was not intended to cripple the bill, but to
prevent the enterprise from being nsed simply
to benefit n few individuals ut the expense OF
thousands.
Mr.. Scott OF California, said the original Till
embodied the views Of fifteen gentlemen repre-
.sentiny all interests, and was as nearly perfect
as could be. He would, therefore, vote against
all amendments.
Mr.. Rcagan'S amendment was then rejected
Mr.. .Aldrich, Of Minnesota, offered his propo.
sition for 4 Northern route, as an amendment,
which was also rejected.
Mr.. Davis, Of Indiana, offered 4 substitute
for the whole bill, which was also rejected.
Mr.. Barrett, Of Missouri, desired to offer an
amendment. -.
The Chair decided that amendments could
only be offered in the way Of addition.
Mr. Branch gave notice Of an appeal from
that decision. In all his Congressional eXpc-
ricnce he had never seen n bill pushed through
in such total disregard Of the rules Of the
House. lie further charged that the Chair
had first decided that the vote on the last
amendment was in the affirmative, and then
changed it TO the negative.
The Chair explained that he had done so by
Mr.. Barrett, Of Missouri, offered his amend
mcnt rs an addition TO the hill. 1t provided
that in case, upon actual survey, the route by
Salt Lake City proved not to be the best, that
the road should be located upon the shortest
and chcapcst route from the mouth Of Kansas
river to California.
The amendment was rejected.
Mr.. branch moved that the committee rise.
Lost.
Mr.. Garnet, OF Virginia, said this Pacific
Railroad had been used as a mere Presidential
scheme. It WINS unconstitutional, and his Statc
would not be responsible for her proportion Of
the expense involved. He had just received a
tliSpatch from Charleston, announcing thai one
State had passed an ordinance OF secession,
and if such unconstitutional Legislation was To
prevail, Virginia would soon follow her exam
pic. [Slight applause IN the floor. lie
charged the Republicans with seeking to plum
der the Treasury, while the Government was
in the lllrocs nf dissolution.
Of the Government upon the aro~e'l
principle, that our institutions are inc"'npaia-
bic with theirs, and must Ia: cxterrniEated -
Mr.. Phelps. Of Missouri, offered an amend
ment allowing the contractors to select The
route. Rejected.
Mr.. Smith. of Virginia, said i'll the history nr
tho Government never had such = case rs l'iiS
occurred.
The committee then rose and reported. The