Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-07-20
Congressional Ne(us.
THIRTY.sEvENTH CONGRESS.
Extra Session.
WASHINGTON, July II, 1861.
OHM I'Iy


Mr.. Foote. of Vermont, presented what
purported to be the credentials from the Gov.
ernor of X ansas of Frederick p. Stanton, as
Senator, in place Of Mr.. Lane.
Mr.. Lare, of Kansas, said this looked like
an attempt to bury a man before be was dead.
He bad been employed in raising a brigade
in Kansas, apd when FULL if the brigade desir.
ed it, he would take charge Of it, and then
would surrender his certificate, not to a Gov.
ernment actuated by hostile feelings, but to
the people Of Kansas. He wanted the peo.
pie of Kansas to select q successor, and when
that is done there will be q man on the Sen.
ate floor true to the Union and the cause of
human freedom.
On motion of Mr.. Wilson, of Massschu.
setts, the bill for the better organization of
the military establishment was taken up.
An amendment was passed Cor the increase
Of army rations, providing twentytw ounces
Of -four instead Of eighteen one pound Of
hard bread fresh beef instead of salt when
required beans and rice; potatoes when
practicable, three times week when not
practicable, other food equivalent in value.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Vnlandigham, OF Ohio, offered pre-
amble and resolution, substantially as follows:
IFheras, 1t is rumored that Gilbert Marts.
on, of New Hampshire. James +. Kerrigan,
of New York Charles j. Biddle, of Pennsyl.
vania, Edward Nc cPhersop, of Pennsylvania,
and Samuel II. Curtis, of Iowa, holding seats
in this House, have been sworD into the mill.
tary service under the authority of the United
States; and whereas James II. Campbell of
Pennsylvania, has also been admitted on the
| floor of this House, he holding q military
commission therefore
RcSOlUed That the Committee on Elec-
tions be instructed to inquire and report with
out unnecessary delay, whether the gentle.
men above named, or any Of them, claiming
seats here, and at the same time holding mil
itary Offices under the authority of the Uni.
ted States, are constitutioually disqualified
from being members of this House while
holding such military commissions.
Mr. Lovejoy desired the resolution TO lie
upon the table.
MIR. Vallandighsm said two similar cases
have, heretofore, been decided by the II House,
and it was determined that they we're dissual.
lied as members, owing 10 their military
commissions lie did not wish to trespass
on the patience of the House by elaborate
remarks at this time; but this being q grave
matter it should be investigated
Mr.. Mcknight, of Pennsylvania, wanted
an amendment made-namely to insert MIR.
Nallandigbam's name in the resolution, after
toe gentleman's speech on Wednesday.
The Committee on Elections should exam.
into MIR. Vallau6igham's credentials to as
certain whether or not he was accredited to
the wrong Congress.
Mr.. Vallsndgham replied that il the gen
tlemau desired any personal controversy with
him, be could have it elsewhere, whenever anG
wherever be should decide
He Mr. V J came into the House to abide
by its rules and usages of decorum, but no
to violate them.
Mr.. Mcknight said, neither did he NEAR
to violate the decorum of the body. There
were cries of ''order. order" during this spir
tied colloquy
Mr.. Campbell, of Pennsylvania, said tha
as for himself, whose name was mentioned OF
the resolution, be held hs seat by virtue o
the confidence OF the people of the Eleventh
Congressional district Of Pennsylvania.
His commission as colonel was under th
authority Of the Commonwealth of Penusyl
vania. He held no two Offices under th
General Government. He had taken th
oath Of allegiance and to support the Const
tuition as Mr.. VallanGigham did, and in thi
respect they were even. This matter did no
rise to the dignity of legal question.
L lfthe House should decide that there wa
any conflict Of commissions 10 his case, b
would resign his seat here, and follow the ia
q Of bis country 10 the open field, wherever
may be. (Applause
On motion OF Mr.. Blair. of Missouri, th
House went into committee on the bill I
d authorize the employment of volunteers I
aid in suppressing the rebellion against 90
defending the Government of the Unite
States.