The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-01-05
PROCEEDINGS OF THE THIRIY-SIYTH CONGRESS.
sen ATE-

SENATE.
WAsHlNGToN January 4.-Several petitions were
presented and private bills introduced and referred
Mr.. POWELL introduced bill to abolish the frank
ing privilege Referred to the Committee Post
Offices and Post Roads.
Mr.. CHANDLER introduced bills making appropr-
ations for the improvement of Grand Haven and
other harbors of Michigan.
MIR. TooMBs presented the petition of the citizens
of Ascension Parish, Louisiana, the subject of
Henma's land grant, and moved its reference to the
Committee on Public Lands. As chairman of the
Committee PrvateLands, he felt embarrassed by
the charges made against him in connection with
that grant.
Mr. JOHNSON, of Arkansas, opposed reference
to the Committee on Public Lands. 1t did not be-
long there and he opposed to taking business
from committee and giving it to another
BENJAMIN stated he had no objection to its
reference to the Committee on Private Land
Claims. The charges were too absurd to give him
a moments concern, but his motives were impugn-
ed He thought it had better go to the Judiciary
Committee.
Finally, on motion of Mr.. TooMBs, it was referred
to select committee of i've.
Mr.. HEMPHrLL presented the credentials of Lewis
o. Wigfali, senator elect from Texas, who was duly
sworn in.
The motion to print the Presidents message was
resumed. Mr.. MASON explained that in the express
sion 'servile States" which he made of yester-
day, he meant nothing offensive, but he desired to
draw a distinction between those States where
there slaves and those where there no
slaves. Inc southern states nave Deen designated
"Slave States because the institution of slavery
exists in them; but in the Northern States there
are masters and servants, well as in the South;
and in the North the coachmen and the fOotmen
are often wearing the badge of servitude-the
livery of their masters, which is never done by
slaves.
Mr.. HARLAN argued that if the premises laid
down by the President in his message true, the
conclusion is irresistible that when slave property
is found to be insecure in the territories it will be-
come the duty of Congress to provide for its
legal protection. This seems to be the unaHimous
opinion OF the Democratic party; but the Repubi-
cans DENY it.
Mr.. H. further argued that if the master can
take his slaves into the Territories and have them
protected under the Constitution of the United
States, because the Territories are the common pro-
perty of the nation, the principle he ought
to be permitted to take them the public lands
belonging to the United States within the limits of
the several States. He went into discussion on
ethnology quoting Gliddon and other authorities.
Mr.. FOSTER followed, and discussed the subject of
our relations with Mexico. He thought the lives
and property of American citizens in Mexico
just those of abotionists in the South;
and protection should be given to citizens at
home as well as abroad. He thought we had no
right to interfere with the domestic affairs of
Mexico.
to the consideration of Executive business and after
some time adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mr.. WAsHBURN, of Illinois, called attention to a
letter he had received from mail contractor at
Rockville in that State in which the writer states
that it cannot be imagined the state of things which
exist owing to the failure of the pay of the mail
contractors. All the hack and horseback routes
will be discontinued, unless something is done by
way of an appropriatiOn-not by way of revenge,
but because they will be compelled to do This
must be the result in spite of every effort to avoid
it. The whole community is thrown into cond-
tOn of excitement, especially those dependant on
the mails. The writer says he cannot get grain for
his horses, &c.
Mr.. WAsHBURN remarked that he wished to say
to the contractors that he did not consider himself
responsible for the distress.
Mr.. BARKsDALE remarked that Mr.. Houston the
other day proposed a resolution providing tempo
rary organization, by which the Post Office Appro-
priation bill could be passed. and this received no
favor from Mr.. Washburn and his Republican
friends.
Mr.. WAsHBURN said he washed his hands of all
responsibility. No speeches had been made on
his side of the House. They desired organization.
Mr.. BARKsDALE asked whether the gentleman
would now agree to the proposition, in order that
an appropriation bill could be passed.
Mr.. WAsHEURN replied that when Mr.. Houston
offered the resolution he (Nlr. Washburn) proposed
to fill the blank with the name of John Sherman,
and the Democrats objected.
Mr.. HousToN said that showed the insincerity of
Mr.. Washburn and his friends. He treated MIR.
Washburn's proposition with the scorn and con-
tempt it deserved The gentleman intended to de-
feat the object and for him to read that letter
adding insult to injury.
Mr.. WAsHBURN-The gentleman proposed to elect
a temporary Speaker, and left blank in the
luton for the insertion of name. Why did he
not accept that of Mr.. Sherman?
Mr.. HoUSToN-Why would not the gentleman ac-
cept Mr. Bocock or Mr.. Milson? He had said if
the House would agree to the resolution he would
prefer to fill the blank with individual whose
name had not been connected with this contest and
against whom there could have been serious OBJ
lection. He wanted to act in good faith.
Mr. STEVENS asked Mr.. Houston whether at the
time he wanted Co elect n Clerk.
Mr.. HoUsroN replied that it was not necessary.
The present Clerk acts till successor is elected.
The gentlemen do not mean to pay the contractors.
They only want to keep up the outside pressure.
Mr.. STEvENs-The gentleman must know that by
the Constitution, no bill can be presented re
solution offered till Speaker and Clerk shall be
elected.
Mr.. HoUsToN-The gentleman cannot escape that
way. 1t was mere subterfuge The present
Clerk can remain till a successor is elected.
Mr.. REAGAN, of Texas showed that the Republi-
can party is revolutionary in its character, and
their principles subversive of the Constitution
He spoke of the Northern States having passed per-
sonal liberty bills to throw mpediments in the way
of the execution of the fugitive slave law.
Mr.. CURTIS explained that the Northern States
merely wished to preserve as measure OF justice,
the writ of habeas corpus.
Mr.. REAGAN, in reply, said that the rights of
blacks were protected in the South; and he did not
know of in which negro was entitled to
his freedom that he did not receive it.
Mr.. CoBB mentioned a case in Alabama, where
two men, who had stolen two free black children,
had been arrested and sent to the Penitentiary
punishment for their crime.
Mr.. REAGAN continued his remarks against the
Republicans and in vindicatOn of the South.
Mr.. REAGAN gave way for various gentlemen to
make explanations on various topics. The ques-
tions of slavery and Americanism alluded to
by the participants in the cOlloquy.
The debate was in the character of charges
against States and political parties.
Mr.. REAGAN frequently gave way for explana-
tions.
Mr. HARDEMAN said he understood Mr.. Cox to say
that there was an alliance here between the South
ern opposition and the Black Republicans.
Mr.. Cox said he did not make the charge now.
Before the meeting OF Congress the Richmond
Whig and the Louisville Journal had made such
suggestion, and the Union prevented by the
acts of John Brown.
Mr.. MALLORY explained the gentleman was mis-
taken in regard to the Louisville Journal
Mr.. BorELER denied the Richmond Wing. fit ad-
vsed such an alliance, it spoke for itself and not
for the opposition of Virginia.
Mr.. HATroN emphatcally branded any charge as
untrue.
Mr.. REAGAN resumed, and concluded his remarks.
Various explanations were made during the vo-
ting. The result was subsequently announced as
follows:
Whole number of votes ................. 2O1
Necessary to a chOice........ .-,..........lO4
Mr.. Sherman received. .......... ......lOl
Mr.. McClernand. ............. ................. ~