Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-02-15
Thirty-sixth Congress Second Session
WEDNESDAY,, FEBRUARY l9.
SENA'rE'

nouncing that that body ready count the vot.
for Presden; and Vice President Of the United
States. The Senate then proceeded 10 the chainhr!
Of the House Of Representatives in the following
order Sergeant alarms, Vice President, clerk
messenger with vote, Senator'S 1.-TWO abreast.
At quarter TO two O'Clock the Senate returned tc
their chamber, and
Mr. Fcssendcu, from the finance committee, re-
ported back the consular and diplomatic appropra-
ton bill, with the recommendation that the Senate
adhere TO its amendments and ask committee o!
conference agreed to.
Mr.. Foster, of Connecticut, presented the petition
Of citizens OF Derby, in that State, IN ihror OF tic
Constitution it is the Union and the enforcement
OF the laws
Mr. Bigcr presented petitions from citizens OF
Pennsylvania III !lyor Of tho Crttendcn cohpro-
use.
Mr.. Mason, from the committee oil foreign affairs,
reported bill TO carry into elect our treaty stia-
tons with New GrRnuda.
The bill was considered and passed.
Sir. Fitch presented sGndry memorials from cit-
zcns Of Kentucky i'll favor OF the CrtenGcn compro-
mise
Mir. TrumbulI, from tho committee to count the
votes OF the President and Vice President reported
4 resolution that committee OF one on the Pgrt Of
the Senate 10 join two on the part OF the HOUSE, be
appointed to wait OH Abraham Lincoln and Hnnni-
bal laniliu and Inform them of their election 10 the
offices respectively Of President and Vice President
Of the United States. Adopted.
The tariff bill taken up. Mr. Seward gave
NOTICE OF al amendment TO strike out tie provision
modifying the @arehousifig system.
Mr.. Fitch rose to personal explanation. His
Maine had been mentioned in the report Of tho House
investigating committee having failed To deliver
up one Indiana bond belonging 10 the Indian trust
fund in his possession. Alr. Fitch explained the
circumstances, and stated that the bond had been
misaid, either BY himself or Gov. Willard-ho
thought by the Inter. The bond in question had
Yer been exchanged was required, and in the opn-
ion OF tue State Of Indiana, was vaueless The mat
ter was III controversy between the government and
the State oil Indiana and he Ind simply received the
bond ~ transmit 10 the Governor Of lndiuna. He
believed it would be found III the papers Of Gov.
Willard.
Mr.. Simmons, ut some length, explained the pro-
visions Of the tariff bill. Tie bill was then passed
over informally, and the bill for the better organiza-
ton OF the militia OF the District Of Columbia WAS
taken up.
3lr Salisbury desired to know whnt particular
existed for the organization OF the miltin Of
the District!
Mr. Wilson replied that this measure bad been re-
commended BY committee several years ago, and
had received the aprnbnton Of the lnte Secretary OF
War, Gov. Floyd. 1t had no reference whatever to
the existing condition o. things.
Mr. Salisbury, though opposed TO secession, was
opposed to the concentration OF troops in the District
OF Columbia and the surrounding Of the Capitol
with military. in answer 10 question BY Mr.. Ma
son, Mr.. Wilson said that the oAth the lnitn were
required to take WAS to support the Constitution OF
the United States.
Sir. Mason thought the administration Of M oath
10 privates in tho militia service was unusual.
Mr.. johnson, Of Arkansas, explained that this was
The Original bill prepared by commission, AID he
did not think the military committee ever gave it
careful consideration. He moved that il be recon-
m,ted to the committee on military affairs
Mr. Bragg said the original bill proposed M onth
to be token by Pnrates i'll tho mnks. In its original
form it WAS not Objectionable.
Mr.. Mason offered MI amendment thst the officers
only be compelled to take the oath prescribed
Mr.. Johnson withdrew his motion 10 re-commt.
MIR. Green thought the ontl. unnecessary for if any
man was disposed to he h trgtor lie would violate
oaths if they were piled up mountain high.
Mr.. Hae could see no objection to the proposed
WAS lie would be against the bill.
After further discussion the bill WAS rcconn!itted
10 the committee Oh military affairs.
Mr.. Fitch introduced bill 10 prevent the printing
o! RI unnecessary amount Of public documents,
which WAS adopted.
tprovides that the printing Of I'll extra copies OF
public documents shall be ordered only by oin,rcso
luton Of both Houses Of Congress.
The Senate then adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Long before tho hour OF noon the House was dlsd
to overilowing with spectators, and III cngcr crowd
Sti poured along the passages md corridors leading
to the galleries The diplomatic gallery was filled
with ndics, and the lobbies madc ~ aecommo-
dute the families Of the members.
A largo police force was on duty in all parts of ths
Capitol and one was allowed in the passage 'front.'
ing the main to the Hall OF Representatives,
The best order prcserrcd, and all passed oil in
the most quiet manner.
The House met at ~ u. Prayer hy tho chaplain,
Rev. Dr. Stockton, who pctitioned that all the pro.
ccedings Of the present day might DO right and that
the representatives from the North, South, Eust and
West might lcgslate together in peace and harmony.
He inpiorcI the divine blessing OF the notc Presi-
dent OF the Omitted StAtes, TINT he might close his
labnrs in pence aud without any violence or blood
shed. He prayed also Tor the incoming admin
istrhtion-that the President elect might bu guided
in al his steps ly wisdom! and peaceful lorhenr
aHcc.
Mr. Washburne. Of Illinois, offered resolution 10
the effect that committee from the House be ap
pointed to inform the Seuatu that this body
sembled and ready TO take account Of the electoral
vote Of the several States for President end Vice
President Of the United Statc--which was ordered.
Mr. Shcrmml, chairman Of the committee Of ways
and neaus, sen. 70 the Clerks desk TO he re,d COM
unicatioL from the Secretary Of the Treasury, set
ting forth the necessity of the passage OF bill nu
Stn,e guarantees for the issue OF treasury
notes. He said that it was Indispensable that lonn
Of eight millions OF dollars should be effected, III
der to meet the liabilities Of the government falling
due by the first proIilno. Ar. Sherman asked leave
to introduce bill to meet the cxigencr of the Case
Mr. Garnett objected TO the introduction Of the
BILL tor, he said, since the declaration OF the
part OF the President elect, he would not Tor
loan to any government which abou; to establish
Il tyrnnnical despo,isln in our midst.
The door-keeper announced the presence of the
Sc mite OF the United Suites.
JOINT SESSION
The body Of Senators, headed by the Vice P.rsi-
dent Of the United States, advanced mp the middle
aisle and took seats in the area in front OF the
Speakers desk. Vice President Breckenridge took
The chair OF the Speaker. while the hitter sat 1t his
right hand.
The telers took position 1, the Clerks desk.
Senator Truulbull, Of Illinois, Representatives
Phelps, Of Missouri, and Washburne, OF illinois, were
he tellers: their right the Clerk Of the SEN
ate, Mr.. Dickens, and on the LET: was Mr. Foruey,
Clerk OF the House.
The Vice-Prcsdcnt said that according 10 the
Constitution both Houses OF Congress had assem-
bled in order TINT the votes might be counted aud
declared for President aud Vice President Of the
United States who we're to take their seats at the
termination Of the present term, the 4th OF March,
lsG; 1t was his duty to open the electoral votes,
and be now proceeded to perform that duty.
The votes were accordingly opened by States, and
he separate vote Of each State WIS announced by