The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1860-01-12
Wednesday, January A, 1860.
SENATE.

Wednesday, January A, 1860.
SENATE.
Several petitions were presented, and private
bills introduced and referred.
Mr.. Powell introduced bill to abolish the
Thanking privilege. Referred to the Committee
on Post Offices and Post Roads.
Mr.. Chandler introduced bills making appro-
| priatons for the improvement of Grand Haven
and other harbors of Michigan.
| Mr.. Toombs presented the petition of the
citizens of Ascension Parish, Louisiana, on the
subject of Houmas land grant, and moved its
reference to the Committee on Public Lands.
After some discussion, the petition re-
ferred to a select committee, consisting of
Messrs. Toombs. Pugh, Chestnut, Crittenden,
and Fessenden.
Hon. L. T. Wigfall, Senator from Texas, in the
place of Hon. j. P. Henderson, deceased and
Mr.. W. appeared, was qualified, and took his
seat.
The motion to print the Presidents message
was resumed.
Mr.. Mason explained that in the expression
"servile States" which he made use of yester.
day, he meant nothing offensive, but he desired
to draw distinction between those States where
there are slaves and those States where there
are no slaves.
Mr.. Harlan argued that if the premises laid
down by the President in his message are true,
the conclusion is irresistible, that when slave
property is found to be insecure in the Terrific
| vide means for its legal protection. This seems
to be almost the UNANIMOUS opinion of the Dem
ocratic party; but the Republicans deny it.
| Mr.. 81. 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 property of the nation, on the same
principle he ought to bspermitted to take them
on the public lands belonging to the United
States within the limits of the several States.
He spoke at considerable length.
Mr.. Foster followed, and discussed the sub
| ject of our relations with Mexico. He thought
the lives and property of American citizens in
Mexico were just as secure as those of the Alb
olitionists in the South, and protection should
be given to our citizens at home as we'll as
abroad. He thought we had no right to inter
| fere with the domestic affairs of Mexico.
On motion of Mr.. Slidell, the Senate proceed
ed to the Gons.deraion of Executivs business,
and after some time adjourned.
HOUSE,
Mr.. Washburne, of Illinois, called attention
to letter he had received from q mail con-
tractor 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
hsex ed horseback routes will be discontinued
unless something is Done By way of an appro-
priation-not by way Of revenge, but because
they will be compelled to do so. This must be
the result, in spite of every effort to avoid it.
TIE whole community is thrown into con-
dtion Of esOite~sat eaeeeiaay rth!a3sss agPendd;;
ent on the mails, The writer says he cannot
get grain for bis horses, &c. ~
Mr.. Washburne 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 resolution providing
for . temporary organization, by which the
Post ONCE appnpriafion bill eonlq he passed
and this received no favor from Mr.. Washhqrne
| and his political friends.
Mr.. Washburne said he washed his hands of
al responsibility. No speeches had been made
on his side 49, u~--- TI.- aA.;-Aa nraan;-
zation.
MIR. Barksdale asked whether the gentleman
YaAtq naE kgrss tg the proposition in order
that an appropriation bill could De passed.
MIR. Washburne replied, that when Mr.. Hous-
ton offered the resolution, he Mr.. Washburne)
proposed to fill the blank with the name of John
Sherman, and the Democrats objected.
Mr.. Houston said that showed the insincerity
of Mr.. Washburne and his friends. He treated
Mr.. Wasnhufne's proposition with the scorn
and contempt it deserved. The gentleman in
tended to defeat the object, and for him to read
that letter was to add insult to injury.
Mr.. Washburne. The gentleman proposed
to elect a temporary Speaker, and left blank
in the resolution for the insertion of name.
Why did he not accept Mr.. Sherman?
Mr.. Houston. Why would not the gentle
man accept Mr.. Bocock or Mr.. Millson? He
had said, if the House would agree to the res
olution, he would propose to fill the blank with |
some individual whose name had not been con- |
nected with this contest, and against whom |
there could have been no serious objection. He |
wanted to act in good faith.
Mr.. Stevens asked Mr.. Houston whether at |
the same time, he wanted to elect Clerk.
Mr.. Houston replied that was not necessary. |
The present Clerk acts till successor is elect
ed. The gentlemen do not mean to paw 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 pre- |
scented, nor resolution offered, till a Speaker /
and Clerk shall be elected.
Mr.. Houston. The gentleman cannot escape |
that way. 1t was mere subterfuge. The pres
emit Clerk can remain till asuccessor is elected |
Mr.. Reagan commenced . speech on the |
Slavery question, but repeatedly gave way to