The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-02-15
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PROCEEDINGS OF THE THIRTY, SIXTH CONGRESS-
GEN TE

SENATE
WASHINGTON, Feb. H.-The CHAIR presented
Constitution adopted by the Constitutional Conven-
tion, assembled at Wyandotte, for the admission of
Kansas as State into the Union.
Mr.. SEWARD moved to refer it to the Committee
on Territories.
Mr.. BROWN moved to amend the motion by in
structIng that Committee to inquire whether in tha
formation of said Constitution the act of Congress-
approved May 4, 1858, entitled Gan act for the ad-
mission of Kansas into the Union," has been com
pied with In all respects, especially whether CEN
sus was taken OF the population of Kansas before
tne election OF delegates to said Constitutional Con-
Venton, and so, whether it appears from that CEN
sus that there was number of inhabitants equal to
the ratio oil representation required for member of
the House OF Representatives
Mr.. SEWARD asked for the yeas and navs on
those instructions.
Mr.. DooLITTLE moved to amend the instructions
by nstructing the Committee Territories to re-
port Dill for the immediate admission of Kansas
INTO the Union, under the Constitution formed at
.Wyandotte, on an equal footing with the other
States.
Mr.. PUGH thought it was out of all order and
proprlety to precipitate the Senate into debate
upon this subject, on the motion to refer docu-
ment; and he should therefore vote against all mo-
tions to instruct the Committee.
Mr.. BAYARD remarked that the instructions of
Mr.. Brown were merely to inquire and report GER
tain facts, and not whether Kansas should be admit
ted or not. The Senate might need those facts to
govern their action in the case; and he saw no harm
III them as viewed In that light.
Mr.. CoLLAMER thought the propriety of the in
structions turned upon the question whether the
lacts were material to the issue or not.
Mr. SEWARD was in favor of referring the Con-
stltution to the committee without instructions of
any sort.
law which declared that under the circumstances
known to exist, the people of Kansas shall not be
admitted as State unless theysha have the popu-
laton prescribed in that law; and whether tbe
declares hn deta o1 h..
census. Now the motion is, that the committee
shall inquire whether that law has been complied
with as a preliminary. The amendment Of Mr..
Dooittie proposes to override that law IF the
Senate should deem that law unwise. thew can take
steps to have it repealed, but while il stands on
the statute book, let it be observed
Mr. BROWN thought the object of his motion was
SO apparent, that he was surprised to find the least
opJecuon 10 IL from any quarter. There were
rumors that this proceeding of forming the Consti
tuition had not been conducted in compliance with
the act OF Congress- and be wanted to ascertain the
truth OF these rumors. If they had gone on in
total disregard of law, he should feel constrained to
reject their whole work. He wanted the informa-
tI0n to govern his own conduct
Mr.. PUGH said if he was satisfied that Kansas had
tne requisite population, the mere question of a
census was immateral. He should look at the
spirit of the law, and not stick in the bark Be-
sides, Congress was forecosed from that objection
because it had refused to make an appropriation to
deiray the expense of taking this census.
hour for taking up the special order.
u Mr.. HALE made long speech in reply to Mr.
room6S, and arraigned the Supreme Court of the
United States as influenced by political considera-
tions
Mr.. TooMBs briefly replied, maintaining the posi-
tlon he assumed in his former speech.
Mr. DooLITTLE moved that the further consider
alton OF this subject be postponed until Tuesday
next, which was agreed to.
After a short executive session, the Senate ad.
jOurned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
on motion OF Mr.. Grow, the powers of the
opeciai Committee on Printing, authorized to be
appointed yesterday, were enlarged, so that they
may inquire into the prices paid for the binding of
Congressional work and the laws regulating the
same; and make similar inquiries into the cost of
engraving and paper; also, the publication and
binding of the Congressional Globe and report all
facts on the subject.
Also, whether in their opinion any chances in
the existing laws governing the public printing in
connection with the Executive bureaus, are neces-
sary To be made, with power to report at anv time
Mr. BURNETT understood that these subjects were
considered by the Special Committee appointed at
last session, and asked, did they ever make
report?
Mr.. GRow said that Committee was the same as
now ordered. They made an investigation but
were not authorized to report at any time and the
call ior their report was reached. Ii it had
been, they were prepared to report bills on the
subject Mr.. q. urged that this Committee he
permitted to report at any time
Mr.. BURNETT.-l am agreed to that.
The Speaker announced that the election of
Printer was the first business in order
On motion of Mr.. PHELPS, there was a call of the
House.
Mr.. ANDERSON, of Missouri, moved that the
House resolve itself into a Committee of the
Whole on the State of the Union on the Post
Office bill. Estimating the damages at per cent
on the sum due the contractors, the amount il
equal to $1,000 per day, and every day these con-
tractors, he said, were being ruined.
Mr. WAsHBuRNE, Of Illinois, thought it better to
nave one more vote for Printer. 1t the question
was not then determined they could take up the
Post Office bill.
Mr. AXDERsoN's motion TO go into Committee
OF the Whole was disagreed to by majority
The House was about to vote for Printer when
Mr.. HILL moved that the House adjourn; and in
response to question of Mr.. Sherman, said his ob.
Ject to procure full attendance of his friends
Mr.. MoRRIs, of Illinois, said the Democrats were
wiling to proceed to vote for Printer to NOR
row, but not before.
Mr. SHERMAN said the question of printing was
not worth adjourning over for an hour.
Mr. HILL thought otherwise. His motion was
negatived. Yeas, rs; nays, l39.
Mr. BARKsDALE remarked that the Democratic
side were not vet ready to vote for a Printer He
said that, last Thursday, when the other side we're
not ready, there was no particular objection to
postponement of the subject till yesterday, when
two unsuccessful votes taken.
Mr.. SHERMAN had no objection, provided there
general understanding the House shall pro-
ceed to an election tomorrow.
Mr. SHERMAN, from the Committee of Ways and
Means, reported bill for the support of the Mill
tary Academy; bill for the payment of invalid
and other pensions, and bill for the payment of
diplomatic and consular expenses These bills were
referred to the Committee of the Whole on the
State of the Union,
The House then took up, in Committee, the Post
Office Appropriation bill.
The Senate's amendment, requiring the Post
Office blanks to be given out by contract,
agreed to.
The next and last amendment of the Senate was
next considered, viz the entire abolition of the
franking privilege.
Mr. PRYoR advocated the abolition of the frank
ing privilege. By it speeches circulated
which were not read, and seeds distributed which
never comeup.
Mr.. MOORE, of Kentucky, opposed this go called
reform. Let retrenchments begin at the right
place-reform the political specuations here enter
ed into
Mr. WNsLow thought it would be unwise to
abolish that privilege.
Other gentlemen gave their views as to the pro-
prlety OF the proposed reform.
An amendment offered by Mr.. Dawes was reject
ed after discussion, namely: that newspaper ex-
changes be exempted from postage.
Mr.. MONTGoHERY opposed the abolition of the
franking privilege, and humorously proposed that
the Senate be exempted from the enjoyment of it,
The debate further continued, but presented
no especial points of public interest.
The Committee then rose, and its action was re-
ported to the House.
The amendments of the Senate were concurred
n excepting that to abolish the franking privilege
which was rejected by yeas 60, nays ll2
The amendment directing the Post Office blanks
to be printed by contract was concurreI in-yeas
$780, nays 81.
The House then adjourned.
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