Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1860-04-12
FROM WASHINGTON.
Editorial Correspondence St. Joseph Register
WASHINGTON CRY, March %, 1860

We had quito a scene OF excitement in the House
last Monday, which contrasted strongly with the
quiet times that have existed since the Speaker
was elected; for since the election of Republican
Speaker, there has not been out -and-out Dis
union speech delivered in the House. The House
WIS engaged in receiving "bils for reference" and
resolutions of inquiry from everybody and
all conceivable questions Mr.. Garnet of Virginia
introduced bill to protect Slave property in Kan
sas, to which, it was only for reference to a
Committee for examination, no Republican object
ed. Then Mr.. Mcqueen Of South Carolina intro
duccd resolution instructing the Ways and Means
Committee to inquire into the expediency of cman-
cipating the laborcrs in Massachusetts,, now on
STRIKE from The tyranny of capital; and this went
through also. Mr.. Blake of Ohio responded to
these with another resolution of enquiry as fol-
lows
Whereas the chattelizing Of humanity and the
holding of persons property is contrary to natural
justice and the fundamental principles Of our po-
itical system is notoriousiy reproach to coun-
try throughout the civilized world, and serious
hindrance to the progress of republican liberty
among the nations of the earth: Therefore
Resolucd, That the committee on the judiciary
be, and they are hereby, instructed to inquire into
the expediency of reporting bill giving freedom
TO every human being and interdicting slavery
wherever Congress has the constitutional power to
legislatc on the subject.
1t was somebody elsc's bull goring somebody
else's OK now; and our Southern friends, whose
faces were wreathed so complacently with smiles
when th~ir propositions were being adopted, were
now full of ndignltion; nearly the whole of the n
being on their feet at once.
Several members showed them that it was not
mandatory resolution. but only "inquiring into tic
expediency," and was limited to regions where
Congress had the constitutional power. But their
wrath did net abate. and Mr.. Singleton of Missis-
sippi who made bitter disunion speech carly in the
session. exclaimed that he wanted 10 see how many
members would dare to vote for it. The Ayes and
Noes demanded upon the resolution and it
was rejected. Sixty Republicans voted Aye, de-
claring that they had voted for resolutions of in
quiry offered by Pro-Slavery members, and were
willing to have all sides investigatcd-and many
others declined voting OF voted No on the ground
that resolution OF such character should not be
offered by any one without general consultation
with his friends so that the phraseology should be
ofa character that would prevent the usual msrep-
reservations Of our opponents. With its rejection
the furry subsidized, but there were no more res
olutions from either side for the remainder of the
day. The next day Mr. Blake, rising to personal
explanation stated that not believing Congress
had any authority over Slavery in the States, he
had limited his resolution expressly to places
"where Congress had the power to legislator" and
ths.rny other construction of his resolution was
! un 4 tand untrue. i
twill doubtless gratify the families and friends
of our numerous Northern Indianians who will
spend this year at Pixies Peak, to know that bill,
proposed by the House Committee on Post Offices,
establishing new mail routes to and through that
region. has passed both branches of Congress and
become law. This will save them from the half
dollar per letter extortion of Express Companies
The Senate have discussed the Homestead Ques-
ton little since the House sent them their bill
upon it. But Mr.. Johnson of Tennessee, who has
won all the reputation he enjoys on that subject in
the Nation by his early advocacy of it before the
South united against it as Free Soil measure)
has proposed bill there, which though pretending
to be Homestead bill, is sadly diluted one. In
stead Of giving all persons over 81 years of age the
right to settle and occupy quarter section of un-
occupied public lands, as the Republican House
bill does, he confines it to married men, thus en-
tirely excluding the young men of the land, who
desire TO make home for themselves, before en-
tering into the responsibilities and expense of the
family relation. He also limits the sphere of his
bill to land open to private entry, which means only
what is lef, after the public saes which take place
as soon after the survey is completed as the Pres
dent may direct. He only allows alternate sections
to be thus taken, leaving every other section for
the speculator He also excludes the priviledge Of
taking 30 acre tracts of land adjacent to Railroads.
which Congress placed at $25 per acre, and which
Is included in the House bill, and he cuts off besides
all persons not now inhabitants of the United
States.
Even in this emasculaicd shape, It win barely, if
at all, pass the Senate the overwhelming majority
OF the Democracy being against any Homestead
bill of any kind.
Senator wigfall, the new Democratic Senator
from Texas, ndiculcd, satirized and denounced the
Homestead proposition for several hours the other
day, contcnding that providing ssnegroes for the
niggeriess" was far wiscr-that Congress, If they
gave the land. should give mileage also, and q few
slaves 70 each settler besides, TO work IT, As
iOhf 10 exn ho to<4x IL. ID