Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-03-15
9g 0eI998aph.
Reported for the Daily TnteIiig
coNGRRssIoNII.f
w5sniSoTes, March !. a 1907

4
IL WAsHiEoToS, March IA ls6lE
SENATR.-Ar. Mason, Of Va, &uiTSred-N
resolution, calling. on The Secretary of
| War TO inform tue Senate whether any
portion Of the District Of Columbia MI
litia, or any officers thereof, since the III
Of january, have been mustered into the
service of the United States, and whether
any duty has been imposed on them by
The Department; if So, whether they have
received any and what allowances, the
nature Of the duties, for what time EN-.
ployed, and whether The same still con
ttnue to be performed, etc.
MI Sumner objecting, the resolution lies
AlE Douglas moved TO take up his reso-
luton offered yesterday, calling on the
Secretary of War for information relative
to the Southern forts and other public
property, &c. -
Mr.. Fessenden said it was quite obvious
that this was matter in which the Senate
could not act. ltrequired legislation, and
they were here only as an executive SEES.
sion. He therefore demanded the yeas
and nays.
Mr.. Hunter, of Va, hoped The resolution
would be taken up. 1t interested very
deeply the people Of the country, who
want TO know whether thief are to have
peace or war. he did not agree with the
Senator from Maine, that the resolution
was legislative in lis character.
Mr.. Olingman, OfsN. O., said he had
prepared resolution advisinE the Presi-
dent to make. II treaty with the seeded
States. relative to This very PROPERTY
| whether this was proper or not, everybody
admitted that the President md Senate are
the treaty making. power, and that what
ever they do in that capacity, is final.
without referencegto the other House. He
repeated that the true policy was for the
President, by and with the adViCe and con-
sent of the Senate, to make such a treaty.
Mr.. Douglas thought the majority ought
to permit the resolution to be taken MP, in
order that he might explain his object in
offering it. which was for the best of pur-.
poses.
Mr.. Mason said the resolution called for
Information of very great moment, and if
the maiority refused to take it up, the in-
ference would he that they desired to sun,
press Information affecting the question Of
pence orwar.
AIr. Fessenden snid he had his obiec-
tions to the resolution, His opinion was
that it would be nnWise to pass it; hence
he could not withdraw his objection.
The question was then taken, and the
Senate refused to proceed to the consider
alton of the resolution by vote of l6
yeas to 81 nays, all the Republicans vot-
ing in the negative.
Dir. Fessenden moved to take up the res.
olution offered by him yesterday.
The Senate proceeded to the cousidera-
ton of Mr.. Fessenden's resolutions by q
vote of 90 yeas to 10 nays.
| Mr. Fessenden said he deemed it his
duty to introduce the resolution as exhib-
iting the position of the gentlemen therein
named. The Constitution provides that
seats in the Senate may become vacant by
resignation or otherwise after declarations
made by them and their withdrawal
Their seats had become vacant, There
gust be some time when the Senate must
act.
Mr. Collumer moved to go into exccu.
tive session. Carried.
After short time spent therein, the
doors were re-opened, and the considera-
ton of the resolution resumed.
Mr.. Clark offered a substitute for the
lHeshlption, which was accepted, 13ihtly:
WHRREAei The seats S6pfed BY GesSrs.
Brown and Davis, of Mississippi, Mallory,
of Florida, Clay, of Alabama, Toombs Of
Georgia, and Benjamin, of Louisiana, as
members of the Senate have become va
cant; Therefore
Resolred, That the Secretary be directed
to omit their names, respectively from the
roll
Mr.. Mason Intellectually proposed to
amend the resolution.
Mr.. Clnrk's substitute was adopted, yeas
"a and nays 10.
The Senate then adjourned