Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-02-16
xXXyIth Congress--First Session.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 14.-SENATE.-The Chair
man present the Kansas Constitution of the
Wyandotte constitution.
Mr.. Seward moved its reference to the
Committee on Territories.
Mr.. Brown offered resolution that the
committee inquire whether the provisions
of the English bill are complied with.
Mr.. Seward asked for the yeas and nays.
Mr.. Pugh said he would vote against all
resolutions. He wanted 1t to go to the COM
mittce in an untrammelled form.
Mr.. Seward said il was too early to bring
up this question. The Senator fl ON Missis-
sippi could obtain the information he desires
by asking a separate motion. He would al
ways vote for resolutions asking for informa-
lion. but be wanted this presented separately.
Mr.. Mason said that statute existed that
Kansas should not be admitted as State
until a certain population had been ascer-
tanned by a census. Kansas could not come
in as a State until she possessed the requisite
population. The resolution only looked to
obtaining information whether the law has
been complied with. If the law requiring
certain population to exist prior to the ad-
mission be wrong. let that be repealed, but
while it was law let it be respected.
Mr.. Brown said the Constitution of Kansas
was framed in criminal violation of the laws
of Congress. Now the proper time TO
make the inquiry. He wanted information;
aud If it should prove that the act of Con-
gress had been set at naught. he would feel
constrained to vote against the admission of
Kansas.
Mr.. Pngh was entirely opposed to the sys-
TEN Of instructing committees and taking
from them all discretion. If the act of Con-
gress had been violated. he would vote
against the admission of Kansas, but il it
were correctly ascertaincd that she had the
requisite population he would not sickle
about forms. 1t was necessary that that fact
should be aScertained by the federal census.
Congress had voted no means to take the
census, and the State had TO take the census
herself.
Mr.. Bayard said the resolution was not In
the form of an instruction. but merely looked
to the making of a certain inquiry.
Mr.. Doolittle moved to- amend the reso-
luton by instructng the committee to report
a bill for the immediate admission OF Kansas
under the Wyandotte constitution.
Mr.. Pugh still said he would vote against
all instructions, but could vote for Mr..
Browns resolution. merely of inquiry.
The Chair said he must under that rule
call up the special order, the bill prohibit
ing the issue of bank notes under twenty
dollars, In the District OF Columbia.
By general consent, however, petitions and
reports were received.
Mr.. Hurlan presented petition In favor OF
repeating the fugitive slave law.
Mr.. Gwin introduced a resolution instruct
ing the Committee on Military Affairs to in-
quire into the expediency of making pro-
vision for the payment of the Indian war
debt in California. Adopted.
Mr. Ham introduced bill for the con-
struction of railroad from the Mississippi
river to the eastern boundary of California.
Mr. Fitzpatrick introduced bill TO provide
for the examination of the claims OF citizens
of Georgia and Alabama for losses sustained
in the Greek war in 1870. Referred.
Mr. Browns resolutions were called up.
Mr. Hale spoke at length on the slavery
question, and in in defence of New Hamp-
shire
Mr.. Doolittle said he would answer the ar
guments of the Senator from Georgia at a fi-
tlre day.
The subject was postponed till Tuesday.
end, after an executive session, the Senate
adjourned.
HoUsE-On motion Of Mr. Grow, the pew
ers Of The special committee on printing, au-
thorized to be appointed yesterday, were to
be enlarged So that they may Inquire into the
price paid for binding by Congress, and the
laws regulating the same, and to make SINH
lar inquiries into the prices paid Tor engrav-
iag and paper; and also. the publication aud
binding Of the Congressional Globe; aud to
report the facts on the sahjcct. stating wheth-
er in their opinion any changes ia the exist
ing laws governing the public printing. in
connection with the executive bureaus, are
necessary 90 be made, with power TO report
~ any time
M. Burnett understood these subjects were
considered by special committee last ses-
sion. Did they ever make report
Mr. Grow said the COMMITTEES was the same
as thai one now ordered. Thy made the
Investigation. bat were not authorized 10
report Il any sine. and the call for their re
port was never reached IL IL bad been, thry
were prepared TO report 6ill oa the sal.lses
and allow this committee 10 report n aay
time.
Mr.. Buraet;-T am agreed 20 tAat-
Tbs Speaker announced The peadsng husi-
ness TO te the election Of printer
ON motion Of Mr.. Phelps, there was call
OF tAs House.
M. Anderson, Of No, moved that The
House resolve itself into . COMMITTEES Of the
Whole GA tbs State Of The Union. aud take up
The festcfhee appropriation bill, estimzilas
The damages 1T six per cent on The sun due
the contractors. 1as amount i 81 oo9 Q
aay, and th-se contractors are being saiaed-
Mr. WashbaEne thought thai the Hoase bad
better have one more sot= Tor printer, aud II
the question was not Determined. they coaid
then lake up he Posi- olicu spprepsiAiiea
b H.