The hour of one o'clock having arrived, the President announced that under the resolutions adopted by the Conference, general debate must cease, and the Conference would proceed to vote upon the report of the General Committee, and various amendments proposed thereto.
Mr. FIELD:—I rise to a question of privilege. What was done by the Conference with the credentials of the gentleman from Kansas?
The SECRETARY:—The practice heretofore has been, to consider a gentleman a member, when the Committee on Credentials report in his favor.
Mr. FIELD:—Then I move to reconsider the action of the Conference in this case.
Mr. PRICE:—I rise to a question of order. The committee have reported in favor of Mr. Stone, and that is conclusive.
The PRESIDENT:—I think the Conference has a right to pass upon the credentials.
Mr. FIELD:—I have a serious objection to the admission of the gentleman from Kansas. He holds the commission of the Secretary of the Territory alone, from a man who has never been appointed Governor. It is very irregular. It looks as though the gentleman was sent here only for the purpose of giving the vote of Kansas to certain propositions.
Mr. JOHNSON, of Missouri:—The delegate comes here with an appointment under the seal of the State of Kansas. The act admitting Kansas provides that all the territorial officers shall exercise jurisdiction until others are elected. I think it is in very bad taste for the gentleman from New York to question the regularity of the appointment.
Mr. WICKLIFFE:—I make a point of order. We have decided to proceed to the vote at this time.
The PRESIDENT:—I think this is a privileged question.