The Weekly Minnesotian. [volume], February 13, 1858, Image 4

About The Weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858

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same men who did this had previously de
nounced Governor Walker for the sugges
tion in his inaugural address, and in his To
peka speech, that the Constitution should
be submitted to all the bona fide inhabitants
although he invariably stated, when asked
for explauatiou, that some reasonable length
of residence onght to be required as evidence
of the bona fide character of inhabitancy.
It was apparent that all the machinery
had been artfully prepared for a repetition of
gross frauds, similar to those which had beeu
attempted in October; and it was in view of
all these facts, after the adjournment of the
Convention, that the people of the Territory,
by an almost unanimous demand, called upon
me, as the actiDg Governor, to convene an
extra session of the Legislature, in order to
enable them peaceably to protect themselves
against the wrongs evidently contemplated
by the adoption of this Constitution. . There
was no law to punish frauds in election re
turns. The people were intensely excited;
and it was the opinion of the coolest men in
the Territory that, without a call of the Leg
islature. the elections under the Constitution
could not have taken place without collision
and bloodshed. The meeting of the legis
lature diverted the attention of the people
from the schemes of violence upon which
they were brooding, substituted the excite
ment of debate and investigation for that of
fierce and warlike hatred, and enabled their
representatives to devise means for counter
acting the wrongs which they justly appre
hended.
Recent events have shown that their appre
hensions were well founded. Enormous
frauds have beeu perpetrated at the precincts
of Oxford, Shawnee and Kicapoo ; and it may
well be believed that this result was actually
designed by the artful leaders who devised
the plan and framework of the Lecompton
Constitution. I have lately been at Shawnee,
and I have seen and conversed with persons
who were at Oxford on the day of election.
The frauds committed are notorious ; and
though dishonest persons may deny them,
and may fill the channels of public informa
tion with shameless representation to the
contrary, they can be easily established be
yond all controversy.
It was to enable the people to shield them- j
selves from these frauds, and to give legal ex
pression to their hatred and rejection of the
instrument which permitted them, and was
to be carried by them, that I called the Leg
islature together.
In my judgment the people had a fair claim
to be heard on this subject through their j
Legislature. The organic act confided to me
the discretion of convening that body in ex- j
tra session. The President of United States j
had no rightful authority to exercise that dis- ;
cretion for me. He had the power of reraov- *
al. and such control as that power gives him.
But I would cheerfully have submitted to re
moval. and consequent los3 of favor with the
President, rather than occupy the position of
Governor and refuse to the people an oppor
tunity to assert their most essential rights,
and to protect themselves against the basest
frauds and wrongs ever attempted upon an
outraged community.
Sot having been informed of the grounds
of my removal, I know them only through
the newspaper reports, to the effect that, in
calling the Legislature, I disobeyed the in
structions of the President. I had no in- j
structions bearing on the subject, and there
was no time to obtain them, even if I had felt j
bound to <- .bstitute the President’s will for
that discretion which the organic act confided
to me. The convening of the Legislature
undoubtedly prevented difficulty and secured
peace. Were it important, lam confident I
could establish this position by the most in
dubitable facts ; but it is sufficient now to j
say that the peace of tiie Territory was not !
in fact disturbed, and whatever approaches
were made toward such a result were wholly
attributable to the policy of the Administra
tion in censuring my acts and removing me
from office.
The measure for which I have been unjust
ly condemned has enabled the people of Kan
sas to make known their real wifi in regard
to the Lecomptou Constitution. This a£ ‘
fords the Democratic party an opportuu»' t „
defend the true principles of consti*
liberty, and to save itself from disastrous
division and utter overthrow. ’ £f Congress
will heed the voice of the r* ople an | not
force upon them a £ hich th
* by .?, V £ te ° • four to one, the
whole country will be satisfied, and Kansas
w,U qmetly sett'e he , own affairß witho ut
the least difficulty, ' jnd without d
to the Confederacy The Southern States,
which are suppos, edtohave a deep interes ’ fc
ie matte j'\ r vill be saved from the supreme
Ia- , Btan<, .ing U P in defence of so wicked
and dishonr, 3tacODtrivance aa the Leco.np
on. . ons dtution. The moral power of their
posi lor 4 will not be weakened by a vain and
“ se e >s defence of wrong, when it is perfect
-7 certain they will gain nothing even by
8 access in the present attempt.
The extra session of the Kansas Legisla
ture has done good, also, by giving means to
expose and punish the monstrous frauds
which have been perpetrated, and doubtless,
also, by preventing others which would have
been attempted. It has driven the guilty
miscreants engaged in them to become fugi
tives from justice, and has rendered it impos
sible for the peace of the Territory hereafter
to be endangered by similar occurrences.
In view of these facts and results, I wil
lingly accept the rebuke conveyed in my
peremptory dismissal from office, but I ap
peal to the deliberate judgment of the peo
ple to determine whether I have not chosen
the only honorable course which the circum
stances allowed me to pursue.
Frkd. P. Stanton.
Washington, Jan. 29, 1858.
Spirit of the St. Paul Press.
Row ix Congresß.— The Pioneer thus ex
presses itself:
“We are inclined to think that this will
prove to be only the first of a series of such
interesting aud spirited occurrences, natural
ly springing out of the attempt to perpetrate a
gross outrage on Kansas by admitting her in
to the Union, and an equally gross outrage
on Minnesota, by delaying her admission.' _.
We confess that we are not in the situation
of the woman who witnessed with indiffer
ence the other “ free fight” between hr r ji og .
band and the bear. We care who w hips.
If knock-downs are to become nece ssary in
cidents to the Congressional set' dement of
our affairs, we prefer that our frie , a d ß should
be classes among the Perpendiculars, and
our enemies among the Horizc ntals-even if
the Knocker should happen to be a Republi
can, and the K,iockee an Administration Dem
ocrat
The President 1 * R^ponsibiliy— The
corresponding editor of the Pioneer having
stated that Mr. Buchanan “is said to dis
claim sympathy with the movement for tack
ing Kansas on to Minnesota in the bill for
our admission as a State,” the home editor
gives the following per contra :
“Another letter, from a distinguished
source, says that the Lecomptonites will not
be able to link Minnesota with Kansas
They may delay, but cannot prevent our ad
mission long. This is an outrage. Our
State is suffering great wrong. My suspic
ion, too, is, that the wrong is inflicted by th. e
Adm nUtration.’ A few days will settle t' n j 8
matter. The President will be held res pon .
sible for the action of his friends in thr } gen
®'te > especially those from the Nor th. If
ri!. C hi a JOl V n the fire - eatiQ S foray agr Just oar
nghtsand interests, it will be us»\ess t 0 at
tempt to convince our peopk. thtf the Vrn<i
dent doe. no, a irccl
Proposed Trratv „
OHipp.wxa.~A WITH Lak
treaty th northern
C ppe o» this Territory, 'la under consid
™ before the Indian Department at
* M uington. The proposition ]g to extin
guish tho title of the Red Lake band of Chip
pewas, to all the lands lying east of the Red
River of the North, and thus open the valley
of that river to settlement. Such a treaty
has been earnestly recommended by Super
intendent Cullen. In case it is determined
upon, the Pioneer correspondent says, the
leading Chiefs of that band will be brought
to Washington.
MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY #, 1808.
SENATE:—The Senate met, and was opeu
«d at the usual hour, Mr. RIDPATH in the
Chair.
After the usual business was gone through
.with, the resolution of Mr. SOMERS, to
adjourn sine die on the 12th was taken up.
Mr. HULL moved to lay the resolution on
the table until Tuesday next.
Mr. SMITH moved to amend the resolu
tion by making the day for adjournment on
the 16th instead of the 12th inst.
Mr. BATES favored this amendment, pro
vided the Legislature adjourned soon, but he
thought we would soon be admitted, and said
we should not act hastily.
Mr. FOLSOM was in favor of an adjourn
ment, as he always had been. He had always
had doubts about the legality of this {session,
and did not believe we could pass any impor
tant bills. He thought we would not be ad
mitted until the last night of the session of
Congress. He thought every one ought to go
home and canvass his constituency in re
gard to the loan bill. They would )hen know
what to do. ,
The vote recurring on Mr. Smith s amend
ment it was adopted.
The resolution coming up then.
Mr. ROLETTE moved a call of thtf
House.
A motion to dispense with further pro
ceedings under the call was lost.
Finally, the vote was reconsidered, and fur
ther proceedings were dispensed with.
Mr. COWAN moved that the resolution
be indefinitely postponed.
Mr. BATES thought we were not ready
for an adjournment yet There were some
, important bills.
Mr. SMITH 6aid we had been 70 days, at
an expense of $50,000. We had passed bills,
but they had nor could not become laws un
til after our admission. He had always fa
vored adjourning. Ho then spoke of our
chances for admission, and said our Senators
had sold themselves to the Kansas Swindle,
in order to secure their own admission to the
Senate Ac.
Mr. LINDSLEY disapproved of adjourn
ing. He thought we could afford to remain
now. If we adjourned, the Governor would
have to call an especial session, and in the
summer time, it would be impossible to get
more than a mere quorum. He favored the
motion to postpone indefinitely.
Mr. SOMERS agreed with the gentleman
from Hennepin, that we had done nothing
but pass road bills and memorials. He
thought we ought not to stop longer and re
main in uncertainty, may be, Bixty or ninety
days.
Mr. FOLSOM said it seemed to be the ar
gument of those who opposed the adjourn
ment, that the friends of the adjournment
were afraid to meet the Loan Bill. But he
wanted a fair, open issue on that
Mr. HULL wanted to adjourn, but thought
not enough time was allowed to finish our
business.
Mr. NORTON said he did not want to go
in for adjourniog merely because his side of
the house did. He thought the session was
an important one, and wondered how some
of the Senators could say that we had done
“ almost nothing.”
Mr. BEMAN said he was going to ta^ e
grounds with the Democracy for once. jj e
wanted to hold their nose down to the grind
stone. He made a very long sp and
pitched into the Democracy a? bitterly as
ever. 3
By Mr. DUNWELL That the Secretary
issue to Mr Lamb, temporary engrossing
cleik, certificate for dve days’ services. Car
ried. J
■ -DSON: That the Secretary
issue to W. j Gere $6 for services as Secre
tary of tb' e comm ittee on contested seats.—
Carried
Mr. FOLSOM: That no bill be intro
<lar.ed into the Senate after the 13th, except
r oad and mail route, until the State shall
have been admitted. Laid over.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
A bill to locate a State road from Leroy
to Cannon Falls.
By Mr. ADAMS : An act to incorporate
the town of Geneva.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
The Senate went into the Committee of
the Whole, Mr. ADAMS in the Chair, to
take up the S. F. No. 56, a bill to authorise
the Common Council of St. Paul to issue
bonds to complete the St. Paul Bridge.
Sundry amendments were proposed by Mr.
Hall, consisting of additional sections, which
were adopted, when the Committee arose, re
ported the bill back as amended, recommend
ing its passage, which was concurred in.
Tho resolution of Mr. WATSON was
called up but the Senate refused to consider
it, and then adjourned.
HOUSE.—The House was called to order
by the Speaker pro tem.
By Mr. TEFFT : From citizens of Waba
shaw County for the location o f a State road
from Lake City to High Fewest.
By Mr. VERTRESS: C jf citizens of Rice
Co., fora change in a certain Territorial
road in Rice County. Referred to Commit
tee Roads and Bridge' <.
The Committee c,n Ways and Means to
whom was referred the appropriation bill, re
ported the samo ba ck w ith a recommendation
that certain item g relating to balances for
printing to C. L . Emerson, Goodrich A Co.,
and Thomas F oster, be stricken from the
bill.
The report and bill were referred to the
Committee of the Whole.
Mr. KEIT H, from the Committee on Mile
age, made a r eport upon the number of miles
which each member had traveled in coming
from his pi ace of residence and returning to
the same. Several of the members express
ed Ppinirf »ns unfavorable to the accuracy of
tb'j repc -rt. The report was re-referred to
f .Ue committee.
On motion of Mr. PIERCE, the report of
the m ajority of the committee in relation to
the maps hung up ia the hall, by Messrs.
Holmes & Payte, was taken up.
Mr. BALCOMBE moved that the report
be adopted.
Mr. McGRORT Y moved that the minority
report be read.
Mr. OTIS moved that the two reports be
re-referred to the committee with instruc
to inquire the lowest price for which
the maps could be purchased. Lost.
The report of the majority was then
adopted.
By Mr. LO RD : For a State road from
Minaeiska to High Forest.
By Mr. SH EETZ : For a State road from
Owatonna to the lowa line.
By Mr. 01 ’IS : For a State road from
section 4, tow n 28, range 23, to Sec. 35, town
28. range 23.
By Mr. ST ’EVENS : To authorise the
R®gen*g of the University of Minnesota to
borr-jw money.
By Mr. KIBLER : To change the Wes
tern boundary of Houston County.
By Mr. BACON : To change the boun
dary linesof the counties of Fillmore, Mow
er, and Freeborn, add for a new county to be
called Root River.
By Mr. MASTERS : A Join Resolution
providing for the appointment of a Committee
to procure plats, descriptions end field notes
of school lands.
Mr. SHEETZ offered the following pream
ble tfnd resolutions :
Whereas, recent advices from Washington
indite that an effort is beiDg made by the
Federal Administration and its supporters in
Congress, to make the admission of Minneso
ta contingent upon the admission of Kansas
under the Lecompton Constitution, and
whereas, we regard the attempt to unite these
two independent measures, using.tke mer
its of the one as a set-off against the wrongs
involved in the other, and making the accep
tance of the former dependant upon the suc
cess of the latter as unjust, without precedent
and contrary to the spirit of the Constitution;
and whereas, we consider the attempt to force
the Lecompton Constitution upon the people
INTENTIONAL DUPLICATE EXPO
RESOLUTION.
PETITION.
RE’ .«ORTS.
THE HAPS.
.'BILLS INTRODUCED.
RESOLUTIONS.
of Kansas—either without the submission of
that instrument as a whole to the people, or
as now proposed by Mr. Buohanan in hie
special message to Congress, in defiance of
the expressed will of a large majority of her
legal voters—as an outrage upon their rights
as a free people, aud in violation of the prin
ciples of true republicanism; therefore
Resolved, That while we sympathize with
Kansas under her present condition of anar
chy and misrule, and are anxious to see her
assume a rank among the States of the
Union, as an independent sovereignty, freed
from the evils that now {oppress her people
and threaten them with civil war, we. never
theless enter our solemn protest against the
proposed wrong of admitting her under a
Constitution so unequivocally rejected by
her people.
Resolved, That our Senators and Repre
sentatives elect, are hereby to use
all honorable means in opposing the proposed
compromise of making the admission of the
State of Minnesota dependent upon the ad
mission of Kansas, and also, in opposing the
admission of the latter under the Lecompton
Constitution—preferring rather to remain
for a time in our Territorial Condition, than
thus to be made instrumental in the infliction
of a wrong upon a neighboring people.
Mr. LE BLOND moved to lay the resolu
tions ou the table. Lost ayes 33 nays 33
Messrs. Chase, Stevens, Talbot and Wilson.
i">emocratß, voting in the negotiation.
.Mr. EAMES moved that the resolution be
inde finitely postponed.
A i.'all of the House was ordered, aud fur
ther pr oceedings under the same dispensed
with.
The qut. 'etion created considerable fluttering
among the majority. The motion to indefi
nately postp <> ne was carried—Messrs. Chase
and Talbot “caving in” and voting with
their party, so that there were ayes 35 and
noes 31.
BP.'tCIAL ORDER.
The House then went into Committeo of
the Whole on the i fecial order, the general
incorporation bill fo r works of internal im
provement
Several amendments were adopted and
some discussion had, but without coming to
any determination, the Ci unmittee rose and
made the bill the special o.rder for day after
to-morrow.
The House then took up and passed the
general appropriation bill.
On motion adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, YBSB.
SENATE.—The Senate was cO* led to or
der. Mr. RIDPATH ip. the Chair.
bills introduced.
By Mr. RICHARDSON: A bill to in
corporate the tovn of Rockville.
By Mr. SMITH : A bill to amend Chap.
73 of the revis e d Statutes.
By Mr. HUj LL : An act to locate a State
road from Si.. Paul to Chisago City.
REPORTS.
The Joi nt Committee towhom was re
ferred thf, Bill to organize the County of Jef
ferson re ported back the bill to* the Sen ate,
recomru ending its passage. It was refen ■cd
to the, Committee on Towns and Counties.
SECOND READING OF BILLS.
A bill to authorise the City of St. Paul
to erect Water Works.
H. F. No. 29, A memorial to Congress for
the relief of such settlers whose claims have
been lost by the granting lands to Minnesota
for railroad purposes.
H. F. No. 23, A memorial to Congress for
an appropriation for the erection of a bridge
across Root River in town 204, range 8 west,
couuty of Fillmore.
H. F. No. 92, A bill for an act to amend
an act for the incorporation of Nininger, St.
Peter and Western Railroad Compan.
BILLS MEMORIALS, ETC., ON THIRD READING
H. F. No. 45, A bill to fix tho compensation
of Members of the Legislature. Laid ou the
Table, after on ineffectual effort to pass.
H. F. No. 55. a Bill for an Act to provide
for the construction of a State Road from
Blue Earth city to city.
An act to incorporate the town of Albion
—Yeas 22.
An act to authorise the Cdmmissioners of
Sibley County., to issue bonds to construct
County buildings.—Yeas 22.
A bill for act to define the North line of
Meeker Co.—Yeas 22.
H. of F.. No. 70 : A bill lor an act to
change the name of Walrath Lundblad to
Walrath Loyd.—Yeas 25.
H. F. No. 16, a Memorial to the Congress of
the United States, for the Establishment of a
Mail joute from Albert Lea in Freeborn
count} •by the way of Mapleton, Hopewell,
Libert.y, Montevideo, to New Ulm in Bvown
Couu tv.—Yeas 23.
11. F. A memorial to Congress for a Mail
route from West St. Paul to Shakopee.—
Yeas 22.
H. of R. A memorial to Congress for a
Mail route from Clear Lake to Forest City,
the S enate rejected this on voting, but re
considered it, and it was passed.—Yeas 22.
H. of R, Memorial for a mail route from
Manl cato to Fort Dodge in lowa.
A memorial for a Mail route from St. Pe
ter b j Glencoe, in McLeod Co.
Al so a bill to incorporate the town of Os
seo.
PETITIONS.
Mr. LINDSLEY presented a petition from
citizens of Goodhue County, for a road from
Cannon Falls to Rochester. It was received,
and referred to the Committee on Roads and
Bridg es.
Ou motion the Senate went into
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
To tal te up H. F. No 20.
A bill .to authorise a loan of $250,000 to
defray the current expenses of the State. —
Mr. Lindslt T in the Chair.
After som * time spent in discussing amend
ments to the bill, the Committee, on motion
arose, and rep. irted the bill as amended back
to the Senate, recommending its passage.
A lengthy dit 'cussion ensued an receiving
the report and co. purring in the amendments,
relative to the nai tore of the stocks in which
to invest, Messrs. L tewan, Lindsley aw} oth
ers spoke to the qut *»tion, quoting from the
Stock Market report * the Iff. Y. Herald ,
&., to sustain their p, vitions. Finally, the
words “United States” b.efore stocks, where
cver it occurred, were stricken out.
A call of the Senate wiAs moved, and with
drawn.
A motion to adjourn waa nn'de, and with
drawn.
Mr. LINDSLEY moved that the recom
mendations made in Committee ot' Whole be
concurred in, which was carried.
The bill was ordered to be enjrosse d.
RESOLUTIONS.
By Mr. That a commit tee be ap
pointed to investigate the amount of mileage
each member is entitlted to. Lait 1 over.
The Appropriation Bill was tak en up and
the amendments of the House coi wuriiwi in,
after a lengthy discussion. The bi U was or
dered and for a third reading.
The Senate then adjourned.
HOUSE.—The House was called to order
by the Speaker pro tern.
PETITIONS.
A remonstrance was presented fn >m citi
zens of Blue Earth and Farribault against
any change in a certain State road.
RESOLUTION.
By Mr. KEITH: Granting the use. of t bis
Hall to Ex-Govemor Gorman, M. B>. Wil
kinson, Esq., and Col. Robertson, for the dis-*
cussion of the proposed change in the Con
stitution loaning the credit of the S tate to
the Railroad Companies. Adopted.
t BILLS INTRODUCED.
By Mr. LYLE: For a State road from
Austin to Wilton.
By Mr. TALBOT: To amend Section 9,
Chapter 13, of the Session Laws of the Extra
Session.
By Mr. TEFFT: For a Stp.te road from
Wabashaw to Rice Lake, Dod.ge County.
Also, for a State road frouj Wabashaw to
Mount Vernon.
By Mr. REHFELD: 7.’0 authorize the
Commissioners of Brown 1 county to borrow
money to erect public bail dings.
By COM. on TOWNS -AND COUNTIES:
For cn act to provide for Township organiza
tion.
By Mr. MURPHY: To provide for the
appointment of a Private Secretary, and to
fix bis compensation.
SECOND READING OF BILLS.
Senate memorial for daily mail from Pres
cott, Wis., to Taylor’s Falls.
Also, memorial for on appropriation to pay
Orrin W. Rice the amount expended by him
in making a road from Twin Lakes to Kettle
River.
Senate bill, to exempt certain property
from execution.
Joint resolution providing for a committee
to procure plats and field notes of School
Lands.
To vacate certain lots in the town ef North
Zumbrota.
To establish the rate of interest in this
State. Referred to a select committee com
posed of Messrs. Tattersall, Atkinson and
M. Thompson.
To Authorize the Regents of the Univer
sity of Minnesota to borrow money.
THIRD READING.
Seuate bill to incorporate the Town of
Nininger City. Passed—ayes 44, nays 1.
To grant the right to Benjamin Yan Cam
pun to maintain a ferry across the Cannon
River. Passed—ayes 41, nays 19.
Joint resolution relative to Swamp Lands.
Passed—ayes 54.
HOMESTEAD BILL.
The House went into Committee of the
Whole, Mr. Pierce in the Chair, for the con
sideration of the Senate file of bills.
The bill to exempt certain property from
execution being under consideration,
Mr. GIBSON moved to amend section 1
so as to limit the value of the homested ex
emption to SIO,OOO. Lost
Mr. BEARCE moved to limit It to five
thousand dollars.
Mr. BALCOMBE argued in favor of es
tabslihing some limit to the amount of the
Homestead exemption, and it mattered not
to him personally whether that limit was
$5,000, SIO,OOO, or $15,000. There was a
limitation in all the acts on the subject pass
ed in the different States except one, and he
contended if such limitation was not fixed,
the law would be subject to such abuses that
future Legislatures would repeal the bill.
The friends of a Homestead bill always
killed the bill with kindness—they exempted
so much as to render the bill liable to defeat,
and if passed, of more than doubtfal expe
diency.
Mr. RUTAN opposed the idea of setting
a v alue on the Homestead. When a limita
tion was made, the act ceased to be a Home
stead act—it was a mere exemption act. He
argued this point at some length. As for the
act being parital, it could not be helped —no
law could be made but what would be partial
in some of its operations.
Mr. T. A. THOMPSON also spoke to the
same effect. If a limitation was to be fixed
he would uever consent to have a limitation
less than $1,000,000, so as to prevent any
any possible chance of a Homestead from
being taken from the family.
Mr.-TATTERSALL was for exempting a
certain area without any reference to tne val
ue which it was supposed it was worth. He
did not consider it a bill for rascals to take
advantage of.
Mr. KEITH considered that this and some
other bills which had been introduced here
w0u1.4 have a similar tendency—to impair our
public credit. This bill was for the protec
tion of n'gues and rascals. No honest man
would even ask to have his homestead, worth
from five thousand dollars upwards, to be ex
empt from seizure by creditors.
Mr. OTIS 6aid when this question was
first discussed he was favorablejjto a limita
tion in value, but he had changed his opinion
and was in favor of the free exemption of the
homestead. He would limit it only in area,
not in price. This he considered the true
purpose of a Homstead Act.
Further debate was had by the same gen
tlemen, when the Committee rose and asked
leave to sit again.
The House then adjourned.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARTII,IBSB.
SENATE was called to order, Mr. RID
PATH in the Chair.
bills introduced.
Mr. NORTON introduced a bill relating to
Judicial sales of Real Estate ; also, a bill to
amend chapter 18 of the Revised Statutes.
RESOLUTIONS.
The resolution of Mr. M’Kune, relative to
the appointment of a Committeo to investi
gate the mileage of various members was
then taken np.
Mr. HULL moved its indefinite postpon
ment.
Mr. BATES said there could be no objec
tion to an investigation. It has been hinted
abroad that some Senators had been over
charging the State, and it behooves us to in
vestigate the matter. If every one has acted
honestly, it will injure no one, but if any one
has overcharged, let us know it.
Mr. SMITH said he was sorry that there
was supposed even to be any grounds for an
investigation. It was a stain on our honor,
and he wanted it ferreted out, and exposed
and corrected.
Mr. ADAMS said he, too, was in favor of
the investigation. But it might turn out
that no one had done anything wrong. Mis
takes will happen in the best regulated fami
lies.
Mr. STREETER wanted it to go farther.
He would like to see the per diem even cut
down—thought it should not be more than
$1,50 per day. He would go in for it.
On taking the vote, there were 8 yeas,and
18 Days. So this motion to indefinitely post
pone was lost.
Mr. VAN ETTEN then offered the substi
tute for the resolution—
Resolved , That the opinion of this Senate,
no member is entitled to mileage.
Mr. FOLSOM opposed any such resolution.
It was a burlesque—it was unreasonable. It
might do if the Capitol was on wheels, and
could be moved by turns into every Senatori
al District. Bat he opposed making the in
vestigation ridicnions.
Mr. VAN ETTEN protested that he did
not intend to burlesque the resolutiou.lt was
to stand on its merits. His mileage only
amounted to one miles Jees : had he been from
some distant district, and heard such charges
mentioned as had been made, he would de
mand that they name those whom they
charge os having been dishonest He said a
strict construction of the constitution would
really show that no member is entitled to
any mileage.
Mr. FOLSOM said he did not accuse any
member of having overcharged, but it may
have happened. He did not know of any ta
ble of distances by which Committee on
Ways and Means had computed the amount
of mileage, and he thought that the only way
to do this was to appoint a committee to ar
ange it.
Mr. STREETER did not know what mo
tive had urged this measure. It could not
be retrenchment, for the advocates of it had
bat a week ago voted down a resolution to
hold two sessions per day, and have been ever
since getting up buncombe resolutions to
cause several hours useless discussion.
Dr. REINER favored the investigation,
and wondered how any one could oppose an
investigation into the alleged frauds. It had
been asserted that frauds had been commit
ted aod if so, let it be exposed. It was in
keeping with the former acts of some of
those opposing it, however, to gag it. Let
the truth come out.
Mr. VAN ETTEN said such a source as
some of those who have favored the investi
gation bad taken, was dishonorable. Some
X' their own party and clique were among
tUose against whom they fling the charge ot
S3Ensty in mileage, and if he believed any
v* was to bo crushed and imposed on,
*
W< Mr d eloouence had become
. ~* r * one would think so when he
L hea ?"fK at J 6 ? 6 of the Committee on Ways
tbfe s«rt. t.r
farce. But they cannot . . . r—„A
plausible arguments. H, 1 < jgg J * f f g * me
no man, bat-the specious
supposed injured individual 000
to suppose there had been frau **
V-. McKUNE exploded the p. «* “°
r ■ ut oti had been introduced to *PPv *0
any particular cue, or to any case at aIL It
was not aimed at any special Senator on the
floor. Some of the Senators’ speeches had
put him in mind of “Point-no-Point’’ on Lake
Pepin—-the farther yon go the less there is
of it. Their arguments are far fetched, and
he believed they had pitched in merely to
let o£f the superfluous gas which had accu
mulated during the few dayß absence from
the Senate.
Mr. STREETER said that more would be
spent in discussing the question than mem
bers had overcharged in mileage, had the
charges been true. The amounts charged as
mileage for this session were the same as
had been charged always under the Territo
rial Legislatures.
Mr. SMITH said this amounted to noth
ing. If members had charged double mile
age while we were under a Territorial gov
ernment, and Unde Sam footed the bill, it
was no pretext for members now to do so,
and he was going in for fixing a standard that
should not be varied from, at this session, for
the compensation and mileage of members.
Mr. FOLSOM said that the Senator from
Ramsey (Mr. Van Etten) had cast imputa
tions on himself, and on the Senator from
Washington, that his party were trying to
crush one of their own party. It was false;
and the Senator had insulted them by coming
into the Senate and stating some remarks he
had heard in the streets—that there was a
plan hatching to “crush a Black Republi
can !” He had not claimed a cent of mile
age yet—he would not, until a computation
bad been made by a committee, and he knew
how much he was entitled to, and would go
in now and always, to fix the amount and
rates.
The roll being called on adopting tin sub
stitute, there were yeas 7, nays 23. So it
was lost, and the question recurring on the
original resolution,
Mr. DAY moved to lay it on the table—
yeas 10, nays 21.
Mr. COOK moved the previous question.
Carried, and there were, in favor of adopting
the resolution—yeas 15, nays 16 ; so the
resolution was lost.
REPORTS.
The Committee on Corporations, to whom
had been referred several bills incorporating
certain companies for various purposes, re
ported through their Chairman, Mr. Streeter,
that they believed such bills were in opposi
tion to the terms of the Constitution—and
thereupon reported the bills back with the
recommendation that the privileges asked be
granted under the general law now before
the Senate.
On motion of Mr. NORTON the Senate then
went into
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
To tafce up sundry bills, Mr. ADAMS in the
Chair.
“S. F. No. 57 : An act appointing Commis
sioners to prepare a code of practice for the
several Courts of the State, and report to
the Legislature”—was taken up, and also“H.
F. No. 12: An act providing for the compil
ation and revision of the Statutes.”
These two bills were almost the same in
words and effect, and a long discussion en
sued on which to adopt, the principal argu
ment being on the names of the Commission
ers to be so appointed—between Messrs.
Norton, Streeter, Van Etten and Cowan.
The debate lasted over an hour, daring
which time the lobbies and floor were crowd
ed with members of the House and specta
tors.
The question coming upon the adoption of
H. F. No. 12, as a substitute for S. F. No.
57. It was carried.
Some amendments were then proposed, in
relation to the time when the Commissioners
shall report, which were adopted.
On motion, the Committee then rose, and
reported the bill back recommending its pas
sage.
Mr. YAN ETTEN moved, the amendments
recommended in Committee of Whole be con
curred in.
A call the House was moved, and had
further ; of proceedings were dispensed with.
Ou motion, the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.—The House was called to order
by the Speaker pro tem.
PETITION'S.
By Mr. TEFFT : Of numerous Citizens of
Dodge County against a change of the coun
ty seat of that county. Referred to Comit
tee on Towns & Counties.
RESOLUTIONS.
By Mr. CROSBY : Granting the use of
this Hall to Ignatius Donnelly, Esq., on Sat
urday evening. Adopted.
Mr. M. THOMPSON: Allowing each mem
der an additional sum for Postage and sta
tionary, and increasing their amount of pa
pers.
REPORTS.
Mr. STARKEY: From the majority of
the Committee to whom was referred the bills
for the appointment of an emigrant Commis
sioner aud Mr. RIDPATH’S Joint Resolu
tion made a formablc report.
Mr. S. R. JOHNSON : made a minority
report dissenting and considering the proposi
tion a useless expense.
SECOND READING.
Senate memorial for an appropriation of
$50,000 for the improvement of St Croix
River.
Senate bill to authorize the Commission
ers of Chisago County to borrow money for
the erection of county buildings.
Senate bill for a State road from Taylor’s
Falls to Mille Lac.
Senate bill for a State road from ths North
Shore of Lake Superior to Graham’s Point.
Senate bill to legalize the assessment of
taxes in Nicollet and Scott Counties.
To extend the limits of St. Paul and di
vide the same into four Wards.
To prevent trespass on School and Univer
sity lands.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
By Mr. BUTTERS: To incorporate the
town of Le Sueur. Referred to Committee
on Corporations.
By Mr. CHOWAN: To establish a State
Agricultural College.
By Mr. M. THOMPSON: Memorial for
an an appropriation to complete the Mendo
ta and Big Sioux River road. Referred to
Committee on Roads and Bridges.
By Mr. YOUNG: For a State Road from
Winnebago to Breckinridge. Referred to
Committee on Roads and Bridges.
By Mr. CRITTENDEN: To establish the
boundaries of certain counties and provide
for their organization.
By Mr. DECOW: For a State road from
Winona to the west line of the State. Re
ferred to Committee on Roads and Bridges.
By Mr. TALBOT: To legalize a certain
road in Stearns County. Referred to Com
mittee on Roads and Bridges.
By Mr. KINGHORN : To amend the
boundary line between Scott and Dakota
Counties. Referred to Committee on Towns
and Counties.
By Mr. PETTIE : To locate a State road
from Austin to Owatonna. Referred to
Committee on Roads and Bridges.
HOMESTEAD BILL.
The House went into Committee of the
Whole, Mr. PIERCE in the Chair, for the
consideration of the Homestead Bill.
The pendiug amendment offered by Mr.
BEARCE, to limit the Homestead in value
to $5,000 was negatived by a vote of 22 to
26.
Mr. KEITH offered an amendment provid
ing the Homestead should not exceed in val
ue the sum of $3,000.
Mr. STARKEY opposed the amendment.
He regarded the vote just taken settled the
question as to the opinion of the House on
the limitation of the Homestead in value.—
He made an earnest appeal to protect the
homes and fireside of the family. He regard
ed the family circle a more hallowed spot
than the burial place, and no one would pre
tend that a creditor should be allowed to
disturb or sell that
Mr. BALCOMBE replied: He believed
the passage of the bill in its present shape
would go far towards repealing all laws for
the collection of debts—it would injure our
credit abroad.
Mr. YERTRESS spoke against the ideas
advanced by Messrs. Sarkey and others on
the subject of honesty. He bad found it a
good rule in business to see whether a man
had sufficient means—lf be had that he (the
speaker) ' would take caws to tfraks him hon
est. , -
Mr. TA TTERSALL inataudfid tenons oc
currences coming within the scope of his ex
perience t a chow that our credit abroad de
pended upon the honesty and business ca
pacity of tlae people. The question was not,
How many town lots and broad acres have
you ? but, Dot's be (the applicant for credit)
pay his debts ? They looked upon a man’s
business integrity. He looked upon the
Homestead act as' calculated, not to weaken
public confidence in our honesty, but the
contrary.
After further diseassioit the committee
rose, and the Horn le adjourne'd.
Prom Washington.
editorial Oorrttpondtmot of Hit Pionttr Democrat.
Washington, Jan.- 28.
In the Senate, on Tuesday, the 26th, Mr.
Douglas from the Committee on Territor e8 *
submitted a report on the subject of the a.
mission of Minnesota into the Union, accom
panied by the following bill:
“ A BILL for the sdmiMlon of the State of Minnesota
Into the Union.
Whereas, An act of Congress was passed
February twenty-six, eighteen hundred and
fifty-seven, entitled “An act to authorize the
peoplf; of the Territory of Minnesota to form
a constitution and State government prepar
atory to their admission into the Union on an
equal footing with the original Statesand
whereas the people of said Territory did, on
the twenty-ninth day of August, eighteen
hundred aud fifty-seven, by delegates elected
for that purpose, form for themselves a con
stitution ana State government, which is re
publican in form, and was ratified and adop
ted by the people, at an election held on the
thirteenth day of October, eighteen hundred
and fifty seven, for that purpose, in pursu
ance of said act of Congress; therefore
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the Unite d States of Amer
ica in Congress assembled, That the State of
Minnesota shall be one, and is hereby declar
ed to be one of the United States of Ameri
ca, and admitted into the Union on an equal
footing with the original States in all respects
whatever.
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That
said State shall be entitled to one represen
tative, and suc h additional representatives, in
Congress, as the population of said State, ac
cording to the census authorized by the
act approved February twenty-six, eighteen
hundred arid fifty-seven, shall show it to bo
entitled to, according to the present ratio of
represent ation, and no more.’’
The Senator stated he would call up the
bill, for action, at an early day—probably as
soon as the report was printed. I was only
able to secure a copy of the bill and report
this e veiling. They will be laid before the
members to-morrow, but when acted upon,
the Lord (President Calhoun) only knows.
The report of the Committee on Territo
ries is a lengthy document, embodying the
views of the committee on the subject of the
regularity of the double-headed Convention;
letters from Gov. Medary, and Messrs. Rice,
Shields, Becker, Cavanaugh, Phelps and
Kingsbury, and two copies of our State Con
stitution, one signed by Mr. Sibley as Presi
dent of the Convention, and the other by
Saint Balcome. The most important para
graph in the report is the following :
11 The constitution thus formed and signed
was submitted to the people of Minnesota
for their free acceptance or rejection, in com
pliance with its own requirements as well as
of the act of Congreos, at a general election
held on the 13th day of October,and was then
and there ratified and adopted by almost a
unanimous vote.
“Being satisfied that the constitution pre
sented is republican in form, and is the act
and deed of the people of Minnesota, and a
fair embodiment of their will, and that the
boundaries established therein are the same
as those prescribed in the enabling act of
last session, the committee have prepared
and submit a bill for an act to admit Min
nesota into the Union on an equal footing
with the original States. The fourth section
of the enabling act provides for a census to
be taken by the United States Marshal of
the Territory, with the view of ascertaining
the number of representatives to which Min
nesota may be entitled in the Congress of the
United States ; and declares that ‘said States
shall be entitled to one representative, and
such additional representatives as the popu
lation of the States shall, according to the
census, show it would be entitled to accord
ing to the present ratio of representation.’
It will be seen by exhibit marked E, that
the returns of the census have been received
from all the counties except eight, and partial
returns from one other county, showing, as
far as heard from a population of 136,464,
with seven entire counties and part of anoth
er to be heard from. Although an approxi
mate estimate of* the entire population of
Minnesota might be made by taking these re
turns as far as they go, and computing them
with the vote on the adoption of the consti
tution in the counties not returned, which
vote will be found in the exhibit, your com
mittee have thought it better to leave the
question of representation as it stands fixed
in the enabling act, and hence have provided,
in the second section of the bill, that said
State shall be entitled to ona representative,
and such additional representatives as the
population of the State shall,according to the
the census authorized by the enabling act,
show it would be entitled to according to the
present ratio of representation, and no more,
leaving the House of Representatives to as
certain the number when full returns of the
census shall be received, presuming that the
residue of the returns will be received by the
time that the act for the admission of Minne
sota shall have become a law.”
Following this is a letter from Mr. Kings
bqry ; relating the circumstances of the di
vision among the members of the Convention,
and also the following statement, sigue dby
our Senators and Representatives :
Washington, Jan. 14.
“ Sir : In answer to the questions pro
pounded in your note of yesterday, we beg
leave to reply—
Ist. At the time of our departure from
Minnesota the census had not beeu complet
ed, therefore, the best data we can give you
is the vote within the limits of the State, pol
led on the 13th of October last for members
of Congress, which was 39,244. Allowing
six persons for each voter, would give us a
population at that time of 235,464, which we
believe to be very nearly correct.
2nd. By the Enabling Act, passed at the
last session of Congress, one hundred and
eight (“delegates were authorized to con
stititute the convention to form constitu
tiqp.”
3d. The election was ordered in conformi
ty to the Enabling Act, consequently but
108 delegates could have been legally elected.
We deem it proper, however, to state that
several seats were tii contest between the two
political parties.
4th. All that were legally elected, and all
that claimed seats, met together at the time
and place designated by law.
5 th. Immediately after they met, a motion
was made to adjourn. The Democratic
nieinbors, claiming that the motion was car
ried, left the hall. The opposition remained
and organized. The next day the former
met as pursuant to adjournment, and organ
ized. One party holding regular sessions in
the hall of representatives, the other hold
ing its regular sessions in the Council Cham
ber; each claiming to be the true Conven
tion. * •
6th. The dispute was occasioned by each
charging that persons claimed seats not er
titlea to them. But without entering into
detail, we trust that your committee will be
fully satisfied upon this inquiry, when we
state that whatever differences may have
arisen on these points were afterwards hon
orably and satisfactorily settled between
the two parties. The breach was healed by
each party appointing a committee of confer
ence, which committee agreed upon the con
stitution now before your honorable commit
tee. And the constitution thus agreed upon
was adopted by both divisions of the Con
vention, and afterwards ratified by the almost
unanimous vote of the people of the Territo
ry, and certified to by Governor Samuel
Medary, under the seal of Minnesota.
Perhaps it would not be improper here to
•tote that both political parties held State and
county nominating conventions, and. that
each nominated candidates to fill the various
offices provided for in the aforesaid Constitu
tion, and that at the election, which was spir
ited and hotly contested, there was a general
attendance of voters. That the election was
conducted without violence; that the mem
bers elected to the Stato Legislature met at
the Capitol on the 2d day of December last,
as prescribed by the Constitution ; that ev
ery member of both parties voted upon all
questions which came before them.
Believing that the people of Minnesota have
proceeded in strict accordance with the law
of Congress called the ‘Enabling Act,’and in
conformity to the spirit of the Constitution
of the United States ; and knowing that the
entire population of the State expect speedy
admission into the Union, we earnestly trnst
that their expectations may not be , disap
pointed, especially as there are questions
now before Congress of vital importance to
the State.
Very respectfully,
Jas. Shields,
Henry M. Rice.
We concur in the foregoing :
Geo. L. Becker,
W. W. Phelps,
J. M. Cavanaugh.
As a* member of the Committee of Con
ference ; 'greed upon by both divisions of the
Constitm ional Convention, I wish to testify
to the unat nmity by which that Constitution
was adopteu by both paj ties, and fully con
cur in the statement of facta embodied in the
above reply. „
W. W. Kingsbury, Delegate. ’
T do not think we will be able to obtain
more than two Representatives; and this
number, cannot be denied us with
The census as returned to the office of the
Secretary of the Interior, exhibits the follow
ing population jn the State :
Houston 5.2 M Benton 688
Winona 6,163 S:earns 2,840
Fillmore* 6,595 Meeker 1,014
Olmstead 8.458 Morrison Tsl
Dodge . 8,680 Manomint 000
M0wert.7.7.7/. 000 Washington 6,188
Freeborn.. .....2,485 Chisago 1,768
Faribault 689 Pine 102
Waseca 2,595 St. Louis 1,559
Steele 2,598 Isanti 184
Blue Barth , 8,628 Piercet 000
Wabasha* 5.115 Cass 196
Goodhue 6;951 | Pembina 000
Rice 6,440 ! Crow Wing 176
Le Sueur S.t'tO ; MilleLact 000
Nicollet 5, 437 j Todd 81
Brown 1.659 I Buchanan 120
Siblevt 000 Carlton 289
Scott 5,302 i'«*ke 1,212
Carver 8,117 It west 000
Renville 245 Co.‘ton Wood 178
McLeod 822 Mar .'ay 81
Dakota 8,158 Nobles 16
Hennepin 18,064 Rock 68
Ramsay 12,748 Jackson 50
Anoka . 2,559 Martin..... 55
Wright 2,288 Pipe Stone 24
Sherburne 507 ...
Total. 186,464
♦Partlai return. tNo returns.
Add to the abo*ve a reasonable estimate of
the population of the counties not returned,
and the total population of Minnesota will
exceed 150,000, au amount amply sufficient
to entitle Us to two members of the House.
This afternoon, prior to the adjournment
of the Senate, Mr. Douglas made an effort to
take up the Minnesota bill for consideration.
He failed however, and the Senate adjourned
over until Monday.
It would be useless to indulge io .surmises
as to the date of our admission, as the tele
graph will anticipate all the news I can send
yon by mail. Appearances at present are not
encouraging. There is evidently a desire on
the part of the fire-eaters, to admit Minneso
ta, Oregon, and Kansas, under one bill. By
such means it is expected a sufficient vote
can be secured, togive validity to the “unveil
ed trickery and shameless fraod” of the Lo
compton Convention. It is humiliating to
Minnesoti&ns to know that after complying
with all the requirements of law and prece
dent, our just are sacrificed or held in
abeyance, in order that a damning fraud may
be perpetrated upon the people of another
Territory. Minnesota aas never cost the Fed
eral government a penny to preserve order a
moug her citizens—Kansas has cust millions ;
Minnesota has proved a source of revenue to
the government—'Kansas of national dissen
sions and extravagant expenditures; yet the
legal and faithful Territory is refused her
rights, in order that she may, with her perfect
record, be placed in the scales to balance
Kansas, with her long catalogue of rebellion,
tyranny and frand. This is the way our
friends build up the Abolition party cf the
North. i M.
Interesting from Washington.
Washington, Feb. 5.
Tho House was in session all night, mainly
engaged in taking the yeas and nays on mo
tions to adjourn, eating something, sleeping,
Ac.,when about half-past one,a serious affray
occurred, which is thus narrated by a mem
ber and a witness : Mr. Grow objected to
Mr. Quitman making any remarks. Mr. Keitt
said—if you are going to object return to
your own side of the House. Mr. Grow res
ponded—This is a free hall, and every man
has a .right to bo where he pleases. Mr.—
Keitt then came up to. Mr. Grow and said —
l wane to know what you mean by such an
answor as that Mr. Grow replied—l mean
just 'vdat I say. This is a free hall, and a
man has a right to be where he pleases.—
Mr. Keitt, taking Mr. Grow by the throat,
said—[ will let you know that you are a
damned Black Republican puppy. Mr. Grow
knocked up his band, saying—l shall occupy
such place in this hall as I please,and no nig
ger driver (shall crack his whip over me. Mr.
Keitt then again grabbed Mr. Grow by the
throat, and Mr. Grow knocked his hand off ;
and Mr. Keitt coming at him again, Mr.
Grow knocked him down.
The reporter adds : the respective friends
of both parties rushed to the rescue. Various
members of each side engaged in the fight
which took place'in the area fronting the
Clerk’s desk. Mr. Washburne, of Illinois,
was conspicuous among the Republicans deal
ing heavy blows. The Speaker loudly and
impartially demanded order, and called on
the Sergeant-at-Arms to interfere—that func
tionary carrying his mace of office, together
with his assistants, hurried to the scene, and
crowded into the thickets of the fight in which
at least a dozen members were engaged.—
Some minutes elapsed before this truly fear
ful contest was quieted. Further difficulties
are apprehended.
F rum 4 till 6£ o’clock, the time was wasted
in the rival motions. At that hour, Mr. Quit
man submitted a resolution that the House
adjourn until Monday next, when the subject
under consideration,the Kansas message,shall
be resumed, and the vote on)two pending pro
position shall be taken, without any further
delay being occasioned by debate, or detain
ing motions. Unanimous consent was given
for the introduction of the resolution, which
was agreed to. The Speaker announced the
House adjourned till Mouday. when the sub
ject will come up as the special order.
TrVmnt corresp mdence.—Senator Iverson
says that Georgia is prepared for the dissolu
tion of the Union, and will make the adoption
of the Lecompton Constitution, without con
dition, a strict test of her continuance. He
adds, that other States are to co-operate.
New York Legislature.
New York, Feb. 6.
In the State Legislature, yesterday, Hon.
F. Jones introduced, without opposition, a
preamble and resolution which met the
warmest applaudition of the Administration
portion of the House,instructing our Senators
and requesting our Representatives in Con
gress to endeavor to procure the passage of a
general law of the United States, making
equal and just provision for the protection
of creditors ; the relief of insolvent de tors;
and to regulate commercial intercourse be
tween the citizens of the different States.
The resolutions represented that the business
of the country has, in a great measure, been
boken up by the financial revolution, thereby
producing an immense amount of private suf
fering, mortification, and bankruptqband that
no immediate or permanent relief can be ex
pected except in the manner above indica
ted.
Explosion.
Cairo, 111., Feb. 6.
The boiler of the steamer Col. Crcaamen
exploded on the night of the 4tb, near Mad
rid, Mo., and burn Ato the waters* edg&_
From 20 to 30 lives lost.
Washington, Feb. 3.
Senate.— Mr. Davis Introduced a bill for
the relief ef the officers and soldiers of the
army who were stationed et Fort Kearnev
previous to March Ist, 1853. y
Mr. Wilson attacked the President’s po
sotiou, stating that the history in the mes
sage was a stupendous, a gigantic misrepre
sentation of the affairs of Kansas. He de
nied the statement in the menage that there
has been a party in the Territory setting at
defiance the Constitution or the laws of the
land. He denounced the Lecompton Consti
tution. saying that he would rather have the
Constitution with slavery than without it,
because with slavery it might be abolished,
but without it it wonld be perpetual. It was
a perversion of fact and troth in the Presi
dent or anybody to charge that the people
of Kansas, by voting for the election of of
ficers under the Lecompton Constitution, in
tended in any way to give their sanction to
it. They went to the Ballot box on the 4th
of Jannanr to beat out for ever that Consti
tution. They knew that the people were
against it by a majority of 6 to 1. They
meant to overthrow Calhoun and his corrupt
minions in the Territory who had violated
justice and sustained their names by frand,
outrage and murder. The only way to do
that was to select men pledged against that
Constitution, and who would come here, as
they have to ask Congress and the country
to reject it as a fraud on the people of Kan
sas, and act fairly and above board. He pro
claimed to the country and to the world
the President’s misrepresentations and mis
takes.
Washington, Feb. 4.
Senate.— The Senate took up the resolu
tion providing for taking the testimony in the
Indiana contested election case.
Mr. Trumbull moved as a substitute that
the Senate uow proceed to final determina
tion of the right of seats to Bright and Fitch,
and spoke against those men retaining
them.
Mr. Bayard said the Kansas question was
more important. The Senate should not con
same time in disoussing contested seats. On
his motion the subject was tabled, 28 against
28.
The consideration of Kansas question was
resumed.
Mr. Douglas submitted a resolution, cal
ling on the President for information touch
ing the number of votes cast in Kansas at the
various elections, with a resolution for the
rejected votes of the 4th of January ; to
embrace all particulars, together with cor
respondence on the subject; and if all the
information hereby desired is not in the pos
session of the President or Executive De
partments, then the necessary orders and
steps be taken to procare the same. He
deemed this information material to the con
sideration of the question, and asked its im
mediate consideration.
Mr. Mason objected.
Mr. Brown resumed his remarks from yes
terday, arguing generally in favor of the Le
compton Constitution, and calling up Doug
las and Stuart in response to references made
to their positions.
Mr. Wilson reviewed the frauds in the el
ection in Kansas, sharply replying to Mr.
Brown, and denying the charge of sectional
ism against the Republican party.
Mr. Green defended the people of Missouri
from Mr. Wilson’s strictures and wanted
facta.
Mr. Wilson responded that he had proof
for all he said.
The sharp shooting continued until a late
hour. Adjourned till Monday.
Washington, Feb. 5.
Sen ate.— Not in session.
House. —On motion of Gen. Quitman, a
resolution was adopted, calling on the Presi
dent to communicate the number of soldiers
engaged in the late war with Great Britain
and the Indian war at the same time, also, a
statement showing a proximate estimate of
expenditures of extending them the benefits
of the revolutionary pension laws. This in
formation is desired preliminary
the Bill pending for that purpot
After a call of the Honse, thf
taken on the amendment prop
minority of the Elective Coe
Mr. Campbell, a sitting mem
Vallandingham, the contestac
forty days to take supplement!
was rejected by thirteen major
olution of the majority comm
inexpedient to allow further tir
timony as argued by the sitting
adopted by thirteen majority.
Mr. Stanton remarked that t
appeared before the committee «.u i :i„.
very promptly and without equivocation
every question propounded. As to whether
he answered correctly, it was for the country
to judge, and on motion of Mr. Stanton, Mr.
Williamson was discharged.
The President’s Message was considered.
Mr. Grow said that instead of communicat
ing any desirable information, it abounded
in epithets and slanders against the people of
Kansas.
Mr. Harris, of 111., withdrew the resolu
tion he bad previously submitted, and after
some remarks, submitted a resolution referring
the message and the Lecompton Constitu
tion to a select committee of fifteen, to be
appointed by the Speaker, with instructions
to inquire into all the facts connected with
the formation of the said Constitution, and
all laws under which the same originated,
and into all the facts which have transpired
since the formation of the said Constitution,
and whether it is satisfactory to the legal
voters of the Territory, the committee to
have power to send for persods and papers.
The Speaker said Mr. Harris could offer
his resolution only as an amendment to Mr.
Hughes’ motion to refer the message to a
select committee of thirteen.
Mr. Harris believed the ruling of the
Speaker correct, and in order to at once as
certain the fate of the resolution, moved the
previous question.
Mr. Stevens in vain appealed to Mr. Har
ris to withdraw the motion, and then moved
a call of the House.
Mr. Clingmau moved an adjournment—
Cries of ‘‘let ns take the question,” mingled
with vociferations, “no !no 1” Great disor
der prevailed. The House by yeas and nays
first voted down the motion to adjourn, and
then a motion pat to adjourn till Monday.
Both parties were evidently nerved for the
fight. Somebody on the Democratic side
moved an adjournment till Monday. Mr.
Campbell, amid confusion, proposed that the
several motions for adjourn meat be with
drawn, and the House come to a direct vote
on the pending propositions respecting the
message. This was received with langhtcr,
and cries of“no 1 no! you can’t steal a march
on ns in that way, and that is the very thing
we want to avoid. Mr. Kieth moved an ad
journment. Mr. Stanton raised a point of or
der. Mr. Cobb asked to be excused from voting
and also that the question be determined by
yeas and nays. Mr. Warren, this being Fri
day, moved that the private calendar be ta
ken up. (Laughter.) The Speaker asked
them to please come to order and knocked
down with his gavel till they did so. A mo
tion was made from the Democratic side for
an adjournment, and members impatiently
demanded the yeas and nays on that ques
tion. Mr. Seward in a loud voice—“lts too
late.’’ Motion to adjourn was negatived by
14 majority. The Speaker announced the
pending question to be the excuse of Mr.
Cobb from voting.
Mr. Houston—That being an important
question I will move for a call of the House.
(Laughter.) It involves the fate of the
country.
Mr. Washburne, of Me., called Mr. Hous
ton to order. The House at 5 o’clock again
refused to adjourn by a majority of 21.
Some of the members passed off for dinner.
Mr. Campbell again asked whether it
would be in order for him to move his com
promise, that all debate on this subject be
withdrawn, and that the House come to a di
rect vote on the proposition to refer the mes
sage. [Laughter.]
The Speaker thought it was hardly in or
der. Another motion to adjourn was nega
tived.
Tb* House continued disorderly, not ooe
h&lf the members being in their nratu At
•even o’clock both parties were holding ou*
and trying to adjourn*