New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-06-14
XXXVIrn CONGRESS.
SENATE. .wAsHlScros, June 10, 1860.
FIRST SESSION.

that II he referred to the Special Committee on the
Harpers Ferry Insurrection.
Mr.. FITCH Dem, Ind.l objected, inasmuch az the
Senator presented, but the other day, petition from
negroes, and which was referred to that Committee.
Mr.. SUMNER said be had expressly stated at the
time that the petition was from persons Of African de-
scent
Mr.. FITCH replied that it might have been the
case, but il was done without the knowledge Of the
Committee.
Mr.. SUMNER-W of that, Mr.. President What
il did,
The PRESIDENT-The Senator from Indiana has
the floor.
Mr.. FITCH-Sir, don't want to be interrupted by
the Senator from Massachusetts.
Mr.. FESSENDEN REP, Mel wanted TO know if
il asserted as principle that negroes could not
petition Congress lie had never yet heard even
Southern Senator say as much.
Mr.. FITCH replied that he had no objection to their
petitioning.
Mr.. FESSENDEN-Then. if they have right to
petition think they ought be reatedn the ordinary
mode, and think il does not infringe upon the dignity
OF any Committee to receive their petitions.
Mr.. FITCH said his objection had reference to their
petitioning citizens, when il was well known that
we do not recognize them at all as such.
Mr.. FESSENDEN-Suppos they are not czensi
il is 10 be supposed they subjects, and live under
our laws, and as such they have the right we allow
foreigners, TO present petitions at any time. wish TO
enter my dissent entirely to the idea that will not
receive petitions here, and look at them unless they
come from citizens. ! willing to hear petitions
from anybody, and do not feel myself degraded by
doing il.
Mr.. WILSON rep, Mass. Ut seems TO me- Sir, that
this very extraordinary proceeding the part of the
Senator from Indiana The other day INV colleague pre-
sented petition from certain colored citizens OF Mas
chusetts-men who have in that Commonwealth all the
rights Of citizenship. He stated on this floor what was
not necessary TO state, that the petition came from col
ored men, That petition was referred to this great
Committee on the Harpers Ferry insurrection whose
dignity il seems has been wounded and that Committee
/ understand intend In mako q This
morning my colleague presented petition from white
men, and care not whether IL comes from white men
black men-he has right, as citizen, TO present
that petition, and he has right as Senator, to pre-
sent it, and ask it's reference Committee. He does
present it, and the Senator from Indiana rises and OBJ
ecs 10 its reference until he has time TO examine 1t,
because the Senator from Massachusetts presented pc
tton the other day from colored citizens of his State
Now, Sir, it seems TO that thisis a very extraord
nary position TO be taken here i'll the Senate of the
United States, ard hope, Sir that the frcemen of this
country will note and mark this position, taken here on
this subject in the Senate. ] regard it, Sir will not
say as an insult to Senator of this body but s Sir
a motion accompanied by remarks which deserve and
should receive the rebuke of every gentleman in this
body.
Mr.. MASON Dem, Val said he was not in the
Senate when this subject came up, but he under
stood that the Senator from Indiana desired refer
eDee of this petition, because some few days ago
petition had been presented by the Senator from Mas
sachuses upon it, face declaring il TO be from negroes
vailed under the expression petitioners of African
descent" The Committee had instructed him TO make
report on that petition which he had prepared and
only asked time TO present.
Mr.. FOSTER rep, Conn., said he knew these Pc
toners; they were living in his immediate neighbour
hood; they were white men.
Mr.. FESSENDEN-That makes no difference.
Mr.. FOSTER-And men OF the highest respecta
bility.
Mr.. MASON suggested that the Senator from In
diana withdraw his objection.
Mr.. FITCH-The fact that it is from white citizens
removes any objections that could have opposed to
it but for the Incorporate language used the other
side and for the opinion of the Senator from Massacu
sets if he classes himself in the category of gentlemen.
not for it, for do not class him in that category
at all.
The petition was then referred to the Select Com
mittee.
Mr.. HUNTER Dem, Va reported an amendment
from the Committee on Finance, extending the time
of funding the debt of 200O0OO0 TO five years, stat
ing that the House had sent in amendment 10 the
Tariff bill TO fund this debt on two years. The Com
mee had thought best to place it in this bill and ex-
tend the time.
ment on this bill. He thought the Senate should con
slider the House bill OH the Tariff where the amend
ment properly belonged. He did not think the obiec
ton good that there was not time to consider the
Tariff BILL
Mr.. SIMMONS rep, r. H. spoke against the
amendment. lie said it ought 10 be connected with
the bill for raising the proper revenue. This was an
attempt 10 carry the Presidential contest this qnes
Mr.. TOOMBS Dem. Gal contended that the ex-
ravagance did not belong to the Administration butte
the Republican party, who increased the appropriation
bills to great extent He thought the questions OF
Finanee and Protection should never be connected.
Mr.. FESSENDEN defended the Republicans from
the charge Of extravaganza saying that the Democratic
Administration made the recommendations. Demo-
cratic committees reported them, and Democratic Seni-
tors voted for them, and they, in tue minority were
not responsible for them.
Mr.. SIMMONS took the same view.
Mr.. TOOMBS said he blamed the Republicans,
and some Democrats who voted with them, in
making a majority for eXtravagant appropriations,
and charged that a combination existed in various
quarters to increase the expenditures so as to make
protection necessary.
Mr.. BIGLER proceeded to show that over six
millions had been appropriated by the Senate not
estimated by the Department. aud the Secretary Of the
Treasury had stated in his report that we could not
meet these extraordinary expenses unless additional
revenue was provided. He thought that those Demo
Gratis who would vote with the Republicans in support
Of an increase of revenue did 10 without reference TO
party. He for protecting the industrial elements
and preventing foreign competition. The expenses
will exceed the revenue, and there will not be dollar
TO pay the public debt.
Mr. HUNTER denied that there was any necessity
for an increase of revenue, and maintained that low
revenue prevented eXtrayagant expenditures.
At clock the Senate took a recess.
EVENING SESSION.
Ate o'clock the Senate reassembled.
Mr.. WILSON defended the Republicans from the
charge Of extravaganza saying that the requirements
made by the President and the Departments exceed
the appropriations made by Congress. The House,
which was controlled by the Republicans had reduced
the estimates of the Administration Al 800 900, while
Democratic Senate, under the control of Democratic
Senators, had added over six millions to those House
bills When such changes were made he desired to
point 10 the record. He then proceeded TO show he
necessity for an increase Of the Tariff for rev.
enue TO meet the debts Of the Government, and
EXPENSE. During three years the Government had