The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-03-06
CONGRESs-THE LAST WEEK.

C0NGRESS-THE LAST WEEK.
Little progress has been made in Congress-,
On the 26th February, Mr.. Mallory, from the
Committee on Naval Affairs, reported bill
authorizing the construction of ten additional
sloops of war, and appropriating for the pur-
pose two millions of dollars. The policy of
the bill is, to build up gradually an immense
navy, which shall prove as exhausting to the
resources of the country as the naval arma-
ments of England and France are to them.
The same day, Mr.. Bell, of Tennessee, dis
cussed the Central American Question, in his
usual discursive style, but his tone was emf
nently moderate and pacific. s
A message was received from the President
during the session recommending an appropri-
alton of $3,OO0,0OO for the preparation of arm
aments for the Notifications, the increase of
small arms, and the improvement of old pat,
terms, &c. !.
This makes five millions extra, proposed to
be expended on military and naval prepare.
tons. What next?
Wednesday, 9th, Mr.. Butler, from the Com
mittee on the Judiciary, reported that there
was so much division of opinion among the
| members, in regard to the case of Mr.. Trum-
bull, of Illinois, that it was thought best for the
Senate to decide the matter, and the Commit
tee was accordingly discharged from the fur
Their consideration of the subject. Mr.. Critten-
| den moved a resolution affirming the right of
Mr.. T. to his seat, and it was made the special
order for Monday, March 3. .
On motion, E
"Resolred, That the different heads of De-
| partments of the Government, judicial and ex-
ecutlve, be directed to furnish, for the informa.
| ton of the Senate, statement of any and ali
| sums of money which have been paid, or agreed
to be paid, for printing for each of the several
| bureaus and Offices of such Departments, during
the year ending December 81, 1855, which has
not been executed under the provisions of the
act of August 26, 1852, regulating the prices OF
| the public printing" &c.
In the House. game day, Mr.. Campbell, from
the Committee of Ways and Means, reported
the Indian Appropriation bill.
Mr.. Grow, from the Committee on Agriculture,
reported a bill to grant homestead of one
hundred and sixty acres of the public domain
to actual settlers; also, House bill, to enable
the people of Oregon to form State Constit9f-
ton.
Also, from ajority of the same committee,
reported bill to amend and supplementary to
an act entitled can act to organize the Terri
tories of Nebraska and Kansas" which was
read twice, and committed. )
The bill has reference to elections in the
| Territory of Kansas, and, among other things,
| subjects to fine and imprisonment any persoh
| or persons who shall enter "any election dis
trict of said Territory, in armed and organized
bodies, for the purpose of participating N, dis
| turbing, controlling, or voting at any election
held under the authority of law therein."l
Also, from majority of the same committee,
| reported bill to annul certain acts of the
Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Kan
sas, and to secure to the citizens of said Terri
tory their rights and privileges; which was read
twice, and committed.
Among the acts of the Legislative Assembly
which the bill proposes to annul, is that Z" to
punish offences against slave property" 1t alss
provides that the inhabitants of Kansas shall
not be required, as qualification to vote or
hold office, or to practice as attorneys in any
court of law, to take any oath or affirmation. ia
addition to that of citizenship or of fidelity in
the discharge of the duties appertaining to their
offices, other than to support the Constitution
of the United States +.
Mr.. Dunn, of Indiana, subsequently moved
to reconsider the vote by which this bill was
referred to the Committee of the Whclecn the
state of the Union. If the Committee6n Ter
ritories would examine the subject, they would
probably find that the bill was virtual >ecog-
milton of the validity of the Kansas Legislature.
He was unwilling to make any concession upon
that point until the difficulties which he suggest
- H. Il L
The motion was entered.
Mr.. Meacham, of Vermont, introduced, ia
pursuance of notice, bill defining the rights
of voters and the duties of commissioners of
elections in the city of Washington, and for
other purposes; which was read twice, and re-
ferred to the Committee on the District of Co.
lumbia. {.
The bill, as printed in the official report, is
well calculated to guard the rights of voters,
and secure their free exercise. We hope our
friends in Congress will give it their support
Thursday, 18th, the President transmitted to
the Senate copies ofthe correspondence between
the United States and England, in relation to
the Enlistment Question, and to the subject Of
arbitration. In another column, we notice these
topics at some length.
OSAAseS
resolution to print 10000 extra copies of the
Presidents message concerning Kansas affairs,
when Mr.. Hale took the floor, and, in speech
of nearly two hours length, fully exposed the
criminal policy of the Administration in rela-
| ton to Kansas. The speech was well consid-
cred, and very able. 1t will appear next week.
Ar. Toombs replied, defending and justifying
the President, but his speech was in better tore
than many we have read on the same side Of
| the question.
In the House, after the introduction of M.
merous resolutions and bills, the Deficiency Bill
was discussed in Committee of the Whole On
the state of the Union, but no action was taken
upon it. The House then adjourned over fll
Monday.
Monday, March Sd, the bill to authorize the
construction of ten sloops of war, was eonsia-
cred. Little opposition was made to il Mr..
Hale thought it absurd by this little appsopris-
ton to attempt to put our navy on footing
with that of England. 1t would be better for
rs to economic. 1t was ordered to be en-
crossed and read q third time, BY vote of IS
! TO s-Messrs. Adams, Durkee, Hale, B. ,mlin,