Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-08-13
Congress-.

Congress.
MONDAY, August 4.-Senate.-Mr. Wilson
offered resolution, which lies over, instructinl
the Committee on the Judiciary to report forth
wit, resolution authorizing the President t.
direct the District Attorney for Kansas to enter
o nolte proseqai on each Indictment against
> Messrs. Robinson and others in Kansas, for trea'
t son against the United States.
t :, Several more internal improvement bills were
{ then passed.
House.-The House PISSED the bill providing
r ior tne appointment of commission to run the
, BOUNDARY line between Washington Territory
II ana the British possessions, under the Oregon
treaty, there being conflicting claims to yalua-
BILE islands, owing to the undetermination of the
, line. ~ '. WV
On motion of Mr.. Zollicofer, resolution was
adopted instructing the committee on military
affairs to inquire into the propriety of purchas-
ing five hundred acres of ground, including the
Hermitage, in Tennessee, to be used as branch
of the Military Academy.
TUEsDAY.-Sendte.-M Seward presented
petition from Charles Robinson and others. now
confined IN Kansas on charge of treason. pray
ing tor relief. Referred. Mr.. s. made some re-
marks on the general subject of political pros
ecutions. After passing four river and harbor
bills the Senate adjourned.
/ H0use.-Business relative to the District of
Columbia was considered. Nothing of interest
| AY.-Senate.-Several more internal
improvement bills were passed, among them one
for the improvements of the harbor Of Charleston,
S. c. ..'....
House.-Mr. Keitt of S. G. appeared and was
sworn in.
Mr.. Bennett, of New York, reported bill
granting lands to Mississippi for railroad purpo-
ses. Passed-yeas 90, naysb9. The bill grants
l 1000 900 acres.
The House then went into committee on the
legislative judicial and executive appropriation
bill. The clause appropriating 100000 to pay
the expenses of the Courts of the United States
having been read, several amendments were Of
fered and agreed to. r
The Committee then rose, and the House vo-
ted on Mr.. Grows amendment to the appropria-
ton for the Judiciary of Kansas, that the money
shall not be drawn from the Treasury till the
criminal prosecutions pending in the Territory a.
gainst persons charged with treason, or alleged vi
olation oflaws passed by abody ofmen at Shaw
nee Mission claiming to be Legislature, shall
be dismissed by the Court and every person
who has been or may be restrained of liberty
by reason Of such prosecution, be released from
confinement. Agreed to-yeas "a, nays "a.
The clause appropriating $4,000 for the ex-
penses of the Legislative Assembly of Kansas
was stricken out. Yeas 90-nays SO.
An amendment that no part of the money be
expended for prosecuting or OBTAINING any per-
son charged with treason, &C., was agreed to-
Yeas S2-nays 90. The bill was then passed
yeas a. nays 30. rt ~
THURsDAY.--Senate.-The Senate took up the
army appropriation bill, the question being ON
striking ont the amendment, made to it in the
House, namely: provided, that no part of the
military force of the United States shall be en-
ployed to aid in the enforcement of the alleged
laws of the Legislative assembly of Kansas, con-
vened at Shawnee Mission, until Congress shall
declare whether the laws are valid or not, and
passed by q Legislature chosen in conformity
with the organic law; and until Congress shall
so act, it shall be the duty of the President to
use the military force of the United States to
preserve the peace, suppress insurrection, repel
invasion, and protect the persons and property
of citizens therein, and CD the highway OF Mis-
souri, and elsewhere, against unlawful seizure
and search and that the President disarm the
present militia, recall all the United States arms,
and prevent armed men from going into the Ter
rtory to disturb the public peace, or enforce re-
al or pretended laws"
Messrs Hunter Thompson and Butler opposed
Trumbull and Fessenden advocated it. It was
then struck out by vote of % to 9. After fur
Their debate the bill without the amendment
was passed-yeas 81, nays 8.
House-The Naval Appropriation bill was
considered in Committee.
FRIDAY.-Senate.-Th House bill granting a
million and half of acres of land to Mississippi
for Railroad purposes, was passed.
House-Mr Washburne, of Maine, reported
resolution to pay Ex-Governor Reeder mileage
and per diem to the time his claim to the seat
Of the Delegate from Kansas was decided-a-
dopted by % majority.
SATURDAY.-Senate.- Hunter reported
substitute for the bill regulating the compensa-
ton of members of Congress, giving them 81,
800 instead Of $4,000, &c.
Mr.. Thompson, of N. j., made speech in de-
tense of Com. Stockton's claim to be consid-
cred the conqueror of California, instead of Col.
Fremont
Mr.. Jones, of Tenn, defined his political posi-
ton, he would go for Buchanan, swallowing
the platform entire. Mr.. Bell defined has posi-
tion-he would 60 for Fillmore.
Houae --Nothino Of interest