The national Republican., 1861-02-28
THIRTY-srxTH CONGRESS,
SECOND SESSION.
Wednesday, February u, 1861

Memorials we're presented fof and against
compromise, by Messrs. Crittendep, Bgler, Sum-
ner, and others.
Mr.. Ten Eyck presented memorial praying
Congress to enact laws against the secession Of
any State except South Carolina; that State to
be allowed to secede as often as she chooses.
Mr.. Sumner presented memorials against
Sunday mails, and to repeal the fugitive slave
law.
The Senate then took up sundry private bills,
which were discussed at length.
The hour having arrived for the consideration
of the special order, the army bill,
Mr. Powell, of Kentucky, moved to post
pone the special order, and take up the Critten.
den propositions.
He said that the Senate had for the past two
or three weeks deferred acting upon these res.
olutions, because Conference had assembled
in this city, at the call Of Virginia, to adjust
the pending difficulties. He believed there was
plan on the part of the Republicans to pre-.
vent the Conference from reaching any conclu.
sion. In proof of this, he read letters from the
Senators from Michigan to the Governor Of that
State, advising the apportionpent of delegates
to that Conference to prevent its action split
ting the Republican party. One of the letters
concluding, the Union will not be worth a
rush without little bloodletting."
Mr.. Chandler said that the letters were sub.
stantially, correct but that he would take an
early opportunity to reply to the Senator from
Kentucky.
The Senate refused to postpone the army
bill.
Mr.. Pearce reported from the committee Of
conference on the tariff bill.
Mr.. Simmons made like report from the
tha Tn vuhs 81,
report recommends that the Senate concur in
the House amendment, striking out the duty on
tea and coffee.
The amendment was agreed to so the tariff
bill stands PASSED.
A number of amendments to the army bill
were proposed among them, one to provide that
no officer Of the army, except the Lieutenan,
General, should receive more than $4,000 per
annum which was lost-yeas l6, nays ~.
Mr.. Powell introduced an amendment au
thorizing the Alexandra, Loudoun, and Hamp
shire railroad to extend their Georgetown
branch through the city Of Washington ; which
was lost.
The bill was then engrossed, read third
time, and passed.
A communication from the Peace Confer
ence, asking amendments to the Constitution
was then read.
Mr.. Crittenden moved that it be referred to a
select committee, with instructions to report TO-
morrow at one o'clock, and that the report be
made special order at that time which mo
ton was agreed to-yeas 26, nays 81.
Mr.. Pearce reported the postal appropriation
bill.
Mr.. Mason moved to 20 into executive ses
sion, and on his demand the doors were closed
and the Senate went into secret session.
Adjourned.
Mr.. Morris, of Illinois, offered, Q resolution
which was adopted, that the select COMMITTEES
on the subject Of the distracted bonds be, and
they are hereby, invested with power to exam
inc witnesses as to whether William II. Russell
or any person for him, directly or indirectly
paid any money to any officer of the United
States, or to any other person, to assist him in
obtaining contracts or allowances from the Gov
ernment, or assisting in the transaction Of busi
ness with the same.
The House resumed the consideration of the
report Of the committee of thirty.three.
The first proposition was joint resolution
declaratory Of the obligation Of one part of the
country toward another recommending the
recognition Of all constitutional obligations
and that the Legislatures of the several States
thing that may be in conflict with the Constitu
ton, etc.
To this substitute, offered by Messrs
Burch and Stout, of the committee, was pend
ing, namely, proposing a Convention Of al
the States for the purpose Of amending th'
| Constitution in such o manner and with regart
TO such subjects as will more adequately re
| spond to the wants, and afford more suficien
guarantees to the diversified and growing in
terests Of the Government and of the peopl
| composing the same.
| This substitute was rejected-yeas "A, nay
100.
The next question voted on was to lay upol
the table the first proposition of the committe,
los above referred TOY II this should prevail
the Speaker said, it would carry both the Kel
logg and Crittenden propositions with it.
The question, however, was decided in tn
negstive-yeas IA, nays l79.
The Kellogg proposition was next voted on
and rejected-yeas 33, nays l58.
Some gentleman said they voted in tn
negative for the purpose of getting vote OIL
the Crttenden proposition for if Kellogg
should be carried, such an opportunity woul,
not be afforded them
Thequestion was next taken on the Crittendel
proposition, and it was rejected-yeas 80
nays ll3.
The House next considered the joint resolu
ton of the committee, declaring the duty 0
respecting and recognising the rights Of al
sections; recommending to the several State
to revise their statutes, and purge them of al
matter which may be unconstitutional; declar
ing it to be duty to enforce the laws, ant
protect public property, etc.
An unsuccessful motion was made to lay i
on the table. The resolution was subsequent,
adopted-yeas l36, nays SO.
The next joint resolution in the series wa
taken up and, on motion of Mr.. Corwin, it wa
amended as follows: proposing to amend thu
Constitution in the way required.) "Nt
amendment shall be made to the Constitution
which will authorize or give Congress power t.
abolish or interfere within any State with tn,
domestic institutions thereof including that o
| hall 10 lohn L.. Il l..