The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1860-01-19

Mr.. Clark, of Missouri, said he would vote
for any nominee outside of the Republican par
ty, whenever his vote could elect him.
Mr.. Clark, of New York, then, after some
preliminary remarks, nominated Mr.. Etheridge,
of Tennessee.
Mr. Clark, of Missouri, remarked, that he did
not expect the gentleman to nominate one of
the South Americans less national than the rest
Of them.
Mr.. Adrain thought that Mr.. Clark, of New
York, ought at least have consulted with his
few friends before he made the nomination
Mr.. Harris, of Maryland, spoke of Mr.. Gil
mer as q conservative and national man, and
showed how he could be elected
The voting was resumed. Whole number of
votes, 22l necessary to a choice, Ill Sher-
man, LOG Hamilton, rs; Gilmer, %. Re-
mainder scattering. The House adjourned.
Thursday, January IL, 1860.
SENATE.
A communication was received from the
Secretary of the Treasury, in reply to resolu.
ton of the Senate, calling for information as to
the unexpended balance of the amount appro.
priated under the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
to pay the claims of certain American citizens
The balance was stated at something over
$2ll 900. Ordered to be printed.
Several petitions were presented, and bills
introduced. ~:
Mr.. Pugh resumed his remarks on the sub
ject of Territorial rights, indicating his views
of popular sovereignty, and reading copious
extracts from the opinions Of the Judges of the
Supreme Court in the bred Scott case. He
denied that the bred Scott decision covered
the question as to the right to hold slaves ia
the Territories under the Constitution of the
United States. A conversational debate en-
sued, in which Messrs. Davis, Green, Gwin
and others, participated, as to the views of diff
ferent Senators on this question.
Messrs. Douglas, Davis, Clay, Green, and
others, continued conversational debate, rela
tive to the soundness of Mr.. Douglass Democ
racy. Mr.. Douglas maintained that he held
the sentiments of three-fourths of the Demo
cratic party; and if they were to be excluded
for unsoundness, there would not be enough
left to elect their candidate for the Presidency
He said he had not changed on this question
but his opinions had been often avowed fol-
twelve years, and he had been eleven time!
made chairman Of the Territorial committee.
Mr.. Chngman obtained the floor, and thu
Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
There was but a slim attendance Of member
at the hour of meeting, and > call of the HOUSE
was ordered.
Mr.. Sherman desired to call attention to tn,
remarks of MIR. Houston, of yesterday, as re
ported in the Globe, to the effect-"I do no
mean to say that those gentlemen Messrs
Adrain and Clark will vote for the Demo
cratic candidate, but have DO doubt they will
They will, trust, return to their first love, anl
calm the agitation of the country, and save tn,
House from the burning, whitening curse ant
shame of putting in the Speakers chair thu
gentleman from Ohio"
Mr.. Sherman inquired whether Mr.. Houston
designed to reflect upon him personally or Pc
litically. -
Mr.. Houston replied, that he would have sup
posed the gentleman would not really hav'
propounded that question to him, for their
could be no doubt as to a proper construction
of the language. He did not suppose an,
gentleman thought he meant or intended
personal application. The gentleman hat
been charged with having endorsed the sent
ments of the Helper book, and he had neve
disavowed its doctrines.
Mr.. Sherman said that the resolution of MI
Clark, of Missouri, was offensive, and wa
thrust upon the House at an improper tim
and in an improper manner, and until it wa
withdrawn he could not say anything more.
Mr.. Houston remarked that the gentleman
could not thus escape from responsibility, ant
could not take shelter behind the resolution.
Mr.. Clark, of Missouri, said he was aetuatet
by no personal hostility against Mr.. Sherman
He never would withdrawals resolution.
Mr.. Harris, of Maryland, said that Mr.. Clark
resolution was block in; the way of organize
ton, and suggested that ting House could be re
heved from their difficulty by adopting the sub
stitute agreed upon by a committee of gentle
men representing the Democrats, the Southern
Opposition, and the Anti Lecomptonites.
Mr.. Clark, of Missouri, expressed his aston
shment that such liberty should have bee
taken with his resolution, as to propose a sub
stitute therefor without consulting him.
Several gentlemen explained how the ssbst
tute for Mr.. Clark's resolution came to
agreed upon. This substitute was subsequent
read, as follows:
Whereas the agitation Of the slavery questio
is productive of no good but of evil, to tn
country, and that its further discussion ougb
to be discountenanced by sll parties therefore
ResolUed, That no man who has recommend
ed, and still insists on, and does not now dis
claim, the doctrines of tye Helper book, an
who is not opposed to the further agitation c
the slavery question, is fit to be Speaker of thi
| House.
Messrs. Clark of New York and Adrain mad
some explanations.
There was now a fiare-np.
Mr.. Raskin wished to know whether his Co
league, Mr.. Clark, who professed to be a
| Anti-Lecomptonite, had endorsed that Sunda
substitute. He desired to make an explanation
He wished to show the position in which hi
colleague stands.
Mr.. Haskin was loudly called to order, an
nearly all the members rose to their feet. Tn
Sergeantat- arms was called for, and subse
quently appeared, bearing his mace of Office
and secured peace formally. The utmost ex
element existed, and for time there were ap
prehensions of personal collision.
Mr.. Davidson, when the disorder had some
what abated, gave notice that, when he agail
came to the Hall, he would bring his double
barreled gun with him. Laughter.
Mr.. Harris, of Maryland, was astonished a
his friend from Louisiana. He seemed dispose,
to make game of the House. The very best evi
dence members could give of their conscious
ness of selfrespect was ito terminate thes
scenes of disorder, never again to be renewed
on this floor. They shoald act as became tn
dignifed Representatives OF dignihed people
Mr.. Hickman was willing to dispose of al
the pending propositions without debate.
Mr.. Clemens began to make an explanation
to the effect that he was standing within fou
feet of Mr.. Haskin, and after the latter's often
sive remark, saw Mr.. Haskin put his hand t.
his pocket to pull out revolver. At this point
Mr.. Clemens was called to order. He said b.
would suspend his remarks for the present.
Mr.. Hill and others continued the debate
good order having been nearly altogether re
stored.
Mr.. Haskin made personal explanation a
to his having pistol in his possession, which
he said had accidentally fallen to the foo
while he was speaking. No one regretted thu
rather disorderly part Of the city, known a
English Hill, and only happened to have i
with him because he was out last night till pas