The constitutional union., 1861-03-01
XXXYth CONGRESS...Second Session.
WASHINGTON, February 19.

clauSe concerning treasury NOteS, tIldt tue time for issuing be limited to June 30, 1862. An amendment increasing notes to fifty dol lars, instead of twenty, was agreed to after sharp debate between Chandler and Clark Tn favor, and Clingman against-twenty-tW against twenty.
 The tariff bill was taken up, and duty of forty per cent. was placed on all wines A long discussion on the amendment placing the duty of sixteen cents, dd rdtorem, on wool worth less than twenty-five cents was lost nineteen against twenty-three.
 Mir. Bingham offered an amendment, plac- ing duty of five per cent. on all wool under eighteen cents.
 Mir. Wilson argued against 1t, as injurious to the manufactures, and of no benefit to wool growers The amendment was adopted- twenty-three against twenty
 Mir. Powell offered an amendment, repeal ing the fishing bounties. Lost.
 Some other amendments were adopted, when the bill was reported to the Senate. Adjourned.
 WASHINGTON, February 20.
 SENATE-Mr Doolittle presented the ere dentials of Timothy E. Howe, Senator elect from Wisconsin.
 On motion of Mr. Wade the House bill to authorize the Postmaster-General to discon- tinue mail service in States where 1t is liable to be inter1ered with, was taken up.
 Mir. Green moved to add that the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to prevent any attempt to collect revenue in such States.
 Mir. Douglas suggested that this was not the proper place to offer this amendment.
 Mr. Green said the bill was a direct attempt to strike at States claiming to be out of the Union. Is there insurrection in any State, or obstruction to the mail service? Even if there was, the Postmaster-Gene or President has no power to interfere unless asked by the Governors of these States.
 MT. Hemphill offered the following:
 WHEREAS, several States have withdrawn from the Union, and the laws of the United States are no longer enforced, therefore
 ReSolced, That the Postmaster-General be directed to discontinue the postal service in said States, and make arrangements with the governments of the same for inter-p postal com munication therein.
 Mir. Green withdrew his amendment.
 Mr. Clingman said he believed those States were out of the Union, and foreign States as much as Great Britain, and thought the mail service ought to be stopped. He wanted to alter the bill and strike out insurrection and insert as reason for the discontinuance, the secession of certain States.
 Mir. Fitch suggested say refusal to ac- knowledge the laws, so as not to recognize secession. Also, strike out the words "postal laws maintained" so as to give no reason to employ force.
 Mir. Chngman accepted.
 Mr. Mason said the bill was declaration of the House, of insurrection on the part of those States. He trusted that they would look upon this question as 1t is-one of the most grave ones ever before the country. He said the facts were, those States had confederated j; had a Congress in session with as much power as we possess Yet the bill calls it insurcc- tion, and assumes that there Is no empire l; but that the Federal power is still in existence in these States. He proceeded to argue against anything which plunged the country in civil war.
 At l2 o'clock the tariff bill was taken up. The committees amendments were adopted, except few on which separate votes were taken. That on reducing the duty on sugar, anu pldClI2 IL OU ted dilQ COllSc- NdS 1ICCu IO The amendment placing five per cent. on wool carried by twenty-siv tn ninntAan Tho amendment for fifteen per cent dd cd{oren on books, periodicals and watches, was carried
 Mr. Lane offered his amendment, which substitutes essentially the tariff of 1916.
 Mr. Hale moved that the stationery and paintings of American artists to be free, but a duty of ten per cent on all others. Adopted. A duty of five per cent. on copper ore was adopted.
 WASHINGTON, February 20.
 HoUsE-The House resumed the conside- ration of the Volunteer bill, reported from the Military Committee
 Mr. Bocock said he considered the passage of the bill foregone conclusion. He opposed it in consequence of the effect its passage will produce on the peace and prosperity of the country He opposed it above all, and more than all, in consequence of the policy it indi- cates, if 1t does not in the strongest degree initiate. He yesterday characterized the bill as a declaration of war, and having since care fully read 1t, he reiterated the remark He continued at some length, saying the Union was already divided, and thought the border States should join the gulf States, to preserve whatever hope may have been cherished of a peaceful solution; 1t willbe diminished by the passage of the bill.
 The report of the Committee of Thirty three was taken up.
 Mir. Valandingham favored eonciiation and compromise, and advocated the adoption of his proposition, dividing the Union into four sections
 The Senate's amendments to the Navy bill was taken up.
 MT. Garnett offered proviso that the new sloops-ofwar shall not be used to execute the Federal laws in any seeding State.
 A long debate ensued, in which Mr. Stan ton took it for granted that the next admins tration would not recognize the constitutional right of secession, and will be treated as rev olution.
 Mr Garnett spoke several times, stating that Mr. Lincoln, both in his speeches and private conversation, had foreshadowed CO., ercive policy, and intends to make war on the South.
 Mir. Anderson, of Kentucky, asked Garnett if he was for the Union.
 Mir. Garnett-I am for the immediate scces- sion of Virginia. Kisses and applause
 SpVaral roo1a to clnar tho