The true Democrat., 1855-03-14
Congressional Summary.
BOUNTY LAND BILL.

SdturdGy, January Z(th.
 BOUNTY LAND BILL.
 uousE.-Messrs Warren and Greenwood vot- ;nc in the negative.
 Mr. Walsh moved to amend the title of the bill as follows:
 sn Act to successfully accomplish the follow ing objects.
 TO enable sundry unscrupalous and grasp ;n9 companies, speculators and brokers, to still s,Ttber aggrandize themselves in the sacrilegi n1,slv assumed name of widows and orphans, bv nreying upon whose helplessness and neces- s;t;es they have already amassed fortunes. To repensh the purses and brighten the ,,ercenarv hopes of the several agents, lobbyers, ntc of Washington, who are personally inter- osted in its passage, and also to emboiden those soJeet and conscientious worthies to renewed and increased efforts to deplete the national trea STrv so effectually, as to hereafter preclude the possibility of its funds ever again reaching dne inch above low water mark.
 Before the reading of the amendment was concluded, the clerk was interrupted by shouts ofnorder." and dozen members rising to ques. lions of order.
 After further action
 MT. GREENWOOD. I have not participat- od in the discussion which has taken place in relation to this bill am opposed to the bill, and voted against it; but l cannot vote for the amendment proposed to the title. A clear ma- iortv has passed the bill, and 1 am quite will linz to leave the matter there.
 Many members That is right.
 Mr. GREENWOOD. 1 hope that the gen. tieman from Ohio, MT. Campbell, who object ed to the withdrawal of the yeas and nays, will withdraw that objection, and allow us to vote down the amendment.
 Mr. Walsh's amendment to the title of the bill was rejected. Yeas l, nays l20.
 Monday, Jan. 29.
 SENATE.-The army appropriation bill was taken up. and MT. Houston spoke at length in vindication of the Indians, and ascribed our Indian difficulties to the aggressions of white men.
 Mr. Jones, of Tennessee, replied to MT. Houston. and without dsposing of the subject, the Senate adjourned.
 HoUsE.-The joint resolution for the send ing of vessels to the relief of the command of Dr. Kane, was passed.
 A bill was passed to enable the people of Oregon to form State constitution, preparato " to her admission into the Union.
 MT. GREENWOOD presented petition signed by citizens of Johnson county, Ark, praving that Congress- by efficient laws secure lands to the landless Referred.
 Also the, petition of J. w. Woodward, and fifteen others, citizens of Clarksville, Ark, on the same subject Referred.
 Tuesday, Jan. 30.
 SENATE-Mr. SEBASTIAN presented the resolution of the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas, in favor of extending the limits of Champagnolle land district which was referred to the committee on public lands. Mr. JOHNSON. l desire to present reso- lution of inquiry, in regard to an abuse existing in my State the responsibility of which rests uaon the Departments here. l am tired of running to the Department and asking the req sons for the delay which 1 am about to bring to the notice of the Senate; and now 1 wish to bring the matter before the Senate, and to say that hereafter I shall pursue the same course with them when they do not attend to their business offer this resolution:
 Res0lued, That the President be requested to cause the Senate to be informed of the cause of thedelays which have occurred during the years 1853 ond 1854, in furnishing the marshal of the western judicial district of the State of Ar kansas, with the funds necessary to defray the expenses of the district court of the United State for the western judicial district
 Mr. President I know that the funds refer red to in this resolution have been regularly appropriated from year to year. In May 1853, requSition was made by the marshal for the amount deemed to be necessary to defray the expenses of the court for the November term of 1853. He sent information of the necessary amount six months in advance, but the funds were never furnished to him by the department until April, 1854. Again requsiton was forwarded about the fourth of September. 1854, for the expenses of the last November term, but the funds are not there yet
 The laws require the marshals of the Unit ed States to make prompt reports to the depart ment of their expenditures, but it is impossible that statements of their accounts can be return ed here the time prescribed by law, if the subordinates of the department will not take such steps as are necessary to have the funds at the proper place to enable the marshals to use them to defray the expenses of the courts- Since have been member of Congress. there have been constant complaints from the off, cers of these courts, in regard to the manner in which their monetary affairs are conducted by the subordinateS of tbe departments. Sir, as 1 have said, do not intend to make any more complaints at the department in rela- uoI to this matter; but desire to have the in- qury made by the Senate. It Is evident from the facts which have stated, that there is some strange neglect some outrageous abuse, and l whoever is responsible for itshould be prompt Y dismissed by the President do>not know who IS the cause of it, and I do not inquire TOT do not wish to make any personal assault upon him: but if the neglect is not clearly and reasonably explained, he ought, unquestionablv to be immediately dismissed from the public service, whoever he may be- | The jurisdiction of the district court of the Inted States for the western district of Arkan- 5a reaches beyond the limits of our State to the oolndary of New Mexico. The jurors are uought to the court from distances of between liE andone hundred miles, and witnesses some cneS have to travel three hundred miles. The FneSseS and jurors do not receive their fees in @lsequence the funds not being there. They, however, receive certificates of the amount to Ealch they are entitled, and they have to sell leSe certificates in the town where the court IS aeld, at whateve discount may be required. I an assured that poor people who have been summoned as witnesses or jurors have actually osen pee compelled to sleep out of doors because