New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-04

jamin F. Wade, Of Ohio. and other Republican
leaders. pleaded for vote. which would not
have taken ten minutes Of time. Twice the Sen
ate ordered vote upon the bill; but the South
ern members antagonized the proceeding by mo-
tons, points Of order. by bringing up other bills.
and by rulings by John c. Breckenridge Dem).
the Vice President; and after a long struggle the
Republicans were obliged to abandon the hope
less effort and let the bill die.
In October 1859 occurred the memorable cpl
sode Of Il attempt of John Brown. a stern and
uncompromisng Abolitionist. who had fought for
freedom In Kansas, to create an nsurrection OF
the slaves In Virginia He seized the United
States arsenal at Harper's Ferry with small
company Of followers. The slaves did not RISE
Brown was captured. and on December 2 was
hanged. His enterprise was almost universally
condemned at the North. and yet his tragic death
gave a powerful stimulus to tie feeling against
slavery.
REPUBLICANS GAINING STRENGTH
In the XXXVIth Congress the Republicans
showed an increase Of strength. The first ses-
sion Of that body met December .. 1919 ac-
journing June 25 1850.
senate-Republicans. 25 Democrats 3d. Amer
leans .: vacancy. !. Total. 66
House-William Pennington tRep). OF new
Jersey Speaker Republicans. 113; Aduministra-
ton Democrats, 90; anti-Lecompton Democrats.
3; Americans, %. Total, 23I
The first eight weeks Of this session were vast
ed in infiammatory and violent speeches by the
Democrats on the slavery question. which they
thrust forward at every opportunity. ana Which
contained repeated threats Of disunion II the
country should elect Republican President in
1860.
At this session the Republican bill for home
al cats
again introduced in the House by MIR. Grow. and
was reported favoraby from committee on
March II. 1860. il was taken out of Committee
OF the Whole by a vote of log to g., every mega
tive vote being Democratic. North Carolina
democrat Mr. Branch, moved to lay it on the
table but was defeated by 60 TO 49, every af-
drmative vote except one being Democratic Inc
hill was then passed lis to &C. every Republican
voting for the bill every negative vote being
Democratic. The Senate changed the bill. strik-
ing out the words free OF cost and inserting
clause charging IS cents an acre. This was
done by Democratic votes. After conference
both houses passed the bill as amended. This
act gave homestead Of l60 acres to every actu-
al settler after a residence of five years on the
land and payment Of % cents an acre: 1t also
coded to the States such OF the public lands
within their borders as had been open for thirty
years to entry and were Stlii unsoio
On May 80 1860. President Buchanan vetoed
the bill. just as ne had on February "A, 1893.
vetoed another bill originating with the Repub-
Leans granting lands to establish agricultural
colleges His excuse in both cases was that the
bill Unconstitutional"
THE MORRILL, TARIFF.
The great act OF the session. however. was the
introduction and passage by the House. by Re-
publican votes Of tn famous Morrill, Protective
Tariff bill.
The time was ripe for Protective Tarin
Frustrated by the low tariff OF 1916. the country
was in a deplorable condition. 1t was full OF
idle men: many Of its factories were closed;
wages were scanty. and he masses were IN
poverty The Government. deprived OF SUM-
Gent revenue. was almost ankrupt The treas
urv was SIS OOO 900 in debt. and Treasury notes
were selling at from to II per cent discount
Selling the opportunity which these facts pre-
sented the Republicans resolved to redeem the
pledges Of their party to the people and agitate
for the enactment Of a protective tariff. On
March L. 1860 Justin s. Morrill,, OF Vermont
Rep1 reported to the House from the Ways and
Means Committee a bill to levy protective duties
on foreign goods pay the outstanding Treasury
notes and negotiate a loan VI $1O,0O0,OOO from
the people After extended debate. and con-
tnued obstruction by the Democratic members.
the bill was passed on May 10, 1860. by vote
Of l05 yeas go Republicans. Democrats.
Americans to Is nays 3 Republicans. 81 Demo-
crats).
The bill then went TO the Senate. In which
body, after some discussion. II was laid over. Tor
lack Of time. until the next session.
THE IRREPREsSIBLE CONFLICT"
The free people OF the North and Of the Terri
tories were greatly incen5ed in 1860 by the