HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
MONDAY, January 14. 1861.The House met at O'clock.
Mr. ORR submitted a resolveion, which wae adopted, that a committee of two be appointed to act with a similar committee appointed on the part ot the Senate, to wait upon His Excellency, Henry S. Lane, Governor elect of the State of Indiana, and His Excellency O. P. Morton, the Lieutenant Governor elect, and inform them of their election, and ascertain when it will be convenient for them to rake their oath of office.
The SPEAKER appointed Messrs. Orr and Jenkinson as said Committee on the part of the House.
ELECTION OF U. S. SENATOR.
Mr. BUNDY submitted a resolution, which was adopted, proposing to the Senate a Joint Convention next Wednesday, at 2 a'clock, for the election of a Senatar of the United States in the place of the Hon. G. N. Fitch, whose term expires on the 4th af March next.
STATE OF THE UNION,
Mr. PITTS submitted a joint resolution, (3)which was referred to the Committee of Thirteen, declaring that Indiana spurns with just indignation the charge that she ever had, either now or heretofore, any legislative enactment, constitutional or otherwise, the intent or effect of which is or was, either directly or indirectly, to impede, obstruct, hinder or retard the rendition of fugitives from service or labor, when "claimed" under the act of Congress of 1798 or I860, commonly known as the Fugitive Slave Law.
2. That Indiana is now, as ever, loyal to the Constitution ; that she views with regret the passage by Massachusetts and other Northern States, and the continuance thereof on their statute books, of so-called Personal Liberty Bills; that she is opposed to the spirit of all such laws, and demands their speedy and unconditional repeal, as well as that of all other laws nullifying any of the provisions of the Constitution, either North or South.
3. That the Fugitive Slave Law should be so amended or modified as to make the fee allowed to the Commissioner equal in all cases, and to allow the Marshal to call the posse comitatus only in those cases where there is an apparent or manifest intent to prevent the apprehension of the fugitive, or to rescue the same.
4. That a copy be sent to the Governors of the slave States, including South Carolina and Mississippi.
REPORTERS.
Mr. BOYDSTON submitted a resolution, which was adopted by consent, authorizing seats within the bar for all reporters for the newspaper press.
HONOR TO THE PRESIDENT ELECT OF THE U.S.
Mr. CAMERON submitted a joint resolution, inviting the President elect of the United States to visit the Legislature of the State of Indiana, on his way to the Federal Capital; that a Joint Committee of seven on the part of the House, and six on the part of the Senate, be appointed to inform him of this invitation, and if he accept, meet him at the State border, and escort him to the Capital.
Mr. ORR would prefer that the committee consist of eighteen for the House and sixteen for the Senate-making one for each State in the Republic. But he did not insist upon the amendment.
Mr. PROSSER demanded the yeas and nays, and there was a second. Under ordinary circumstances he would not object, to the adoption of such a resolution, but he considered it was manifestly improper now.
Mr. ORR hoped the State of Indiana was not ashamed'to invite the President to her capital under any circumstances. He supposed she looked upon him as a statesman and a patriot, and desires to show him the respect which such qualities command.
Mr. HEFFREN had seen by the Cincinnati Gazette, that Mr. Lincoln desires to go quietly page: 34[View Page 34]to the capital; and since the country was apprehensive of excitement about the inauguration, and he did not want to see the State of Indiana do anything to embarrass him.
Mr. CAMERON. We were not take newspaper reports to regulate our action. The resolution proposed an expression not improper at this or any other time. It was simply to indicate that Indiana was loyal to the Union; that Indiana means to support the government, whether it be in Democratic or Republican hands.
The resolution was adopted-yeas 67, nays 16.
STATE OF THE UNION.
Mr. UNDERWOOD submitted a preamble and resolutions, three, which were referred to the Committee of Thirteen, rehearsing that,
Whereas, in view of the conduct of many persons in the States of Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, and Florida, extendig to the adoption of resolutions proclaiming the dissolution of the Union of these States, and to the seizure of the Postoffices, Custom-houses, vessels, forts, and arsenals within those States belonging to the General Government, and to the firing a vessel of the United States-thus placing themselves in a position of open rebellion against the Government-committing thereby the grave crime of treason against, and seeking the overthrow of the nation-a government founded by freemen and sealed with their blood, and which for 84 years has been the hope of the civilized world-now sought to be destroyed for the unholy purpose of slavery extension; therefore-
Be it Resolved, &c., That the entire power and resources of the State of Indiana are pledged, (whenever demanded, in thick subordination to the civil authority of the States,) for the maintainance and perpetuation of our glorious Union.
2. That the Union loving citizens of the Southern States, who labor with devoted courage and patriotism to prevent so great a calamity as dissolution are entitled to the gratitude of all the lovers of the Union.
3. That the Governor transmit a copy to the President, the State Governors, and our Senators and Representatives in Congress.
PUBLIC ARMS.
Mr. MOODY submitted a resolution, which was adopted by consent, calling upon the Quarter-Master General to inform the House what arms there on hand belonging to the State, and what arms have been distributed during the last five years, and to what counties, also whether, &c.
SWAMP LAND FUND.
Mr. FEAGLER submitted a resolution, which was adopted, for the appointed of a committe of seven to inquire into the condition of the Swamp Land Fund, how the same have been expended, &c.
Mr. Thomas proposed to amend by adding a requistion that the Clerk lay on the table each member a copy of the report of the Joint Committee on Swamp Lands to the last Legislature.
Mr. BRANHAM proposed to amend so as: that instead of creating a select commitoee, the matter of the resolution be referred to the Committee on Swamp Lands. If we revise special committees, and take the business cut of the hands of the standing committees and give it to them, we duplicate the work. Not only have we not men enough to proceed in this way, but, it will cost the State twice much.
Mr. MOODY was as much in favor of investigation as any other member, but he was opposed to the raising of special committees for such purposes. He knew something of the difficulty and expense of such an investigation from the committee raised to years ago. The standing committee to be appointed by the Chair, would be able to so direct the investigation as to accomplish all the gentleman desires, without this endless expense of special committees.
Mr. Branham's amendment was accepted, and the resolution adopted by consent.
Mr. Heffren introduced a bill, [H. R. 17.] regulating the Public Printing of the State of Indiana, providing for letting the same to the lowest bidder, also for the purchase of paper from the lowest bidder, &c.; which was passed to the second reading.
Mr. WOODHULL submitted several resolutions, [J. R. No. 4.] which go to the Committee of Thirteen under the order of last Friday, declaring-
1. That, as the Constiution of the United States affords the most perfect government ever formed by man, we will oppose with firmness every violation of its provisions, or alteration of its parts, except in that way provided i by the instrument itself.
2. That Indiana recommends to every State, in that spirit of fraternal feeling which should govern the people of a common country, to repeal any and all laws that may be found to contravene any provision of the Constitution of the General Government, or which mny conflict with any law of Congress made in accordance with said Constitution, and she stands pledged to strike from her statute books any such laws, if they should be found therein.
3. That we recognize no conflicting elements in its composition, nor sufficient cause from any source, for a dissolution of the government; that the Congress of the United States is not authorized to destroy, but to sustain and harmonize the institutions of the country, and to see that equal justice is done to all parts of the same; and that it is the duty of the Congress and the President to maintain, support and perpetuate the government upon terms of justice and equality to all the States, and to use all the power conferred upon them for the securing of that end.
