The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-04-01
CONGRE s s.


| MARCH 24.--In the Senate, on Mr..
Stewards motion, it was resolved that the
President be requested to communicate all
the information in his possession, relative to
the Revolutionary proceedings in Nicaragua,
especially all in regard to the seizure OF
the Transit Company's property. Mr..
Seward moved that the Committee on the
Library, be instructed to consider the ex-
pedieney of suggesting some suitable legis-
lative recognition Of the eminent services of
the expedition under Doctor Kane in the
Arctic Regions. The Deficiency bill was
taken up and considered.
In the House, Speaker Banks announced
the Kansas Investigation Committee; it con-
sists of the following :-Campbell, of Ohio,
Howard, of Michigan, and Oliver of Mis-
souri,. Gen. j. S. Miilson, of Va, made a
speech condemnatory of the action of the
Naval Board.
MARCH 25.-In the Senate a long discus
sion arose on an amendment appropriating
S35O,OOO forpaper, arrears Of printing and
maps. The resolution was adopted. Mr..
| Mason gave notice of his intention to intro
duce a bill amending the act remOdelling
the Diplomatic and Consular system. On
| motion of Mr.. Brodhead, the Committee on
! Military Affairs was instructed to enquire into
the expediency of establishing one or more
National Foundrys, in accordance with the
recommendation of the Secretary of War,
in his annual report of December, 1853
The Senate then resumed the consideration
of the Deficiency bill, and afterwards ad-
journed.
In the House, on motion of Mr.. Walker,
the committee on the Judiciary was in
structed to enquire whether the Kansas
Investigating Committee have power to
cOerce the attendance of witnesses and
punish for contempt. Mr.. Campbell, at his
own request, was excused from serving on
the Kansas committee, and Mr.. Sherman,
of Ohio, was appointed in his place. Mr..
Phelps introduced bill authorizing the
President to cause the Southern boundary
line of Kansas to be defined and marked.
The bill was referred to the committee on
Territories. A lively discussion took place
on the naturalization question, pending the
bill defining the qualification of the voters
of Washington. Without coming to any
decision the House adjourned.
MARCH 26.-In the Senate Mr.. BENJAMIN
submitted a resolution which lies over,
having in view the retrenchment of expen-
fnV.T rIflfiT a. a.,
Butler, the post Office committee was in
structed to enquire into the expediency of
disseminating the franking privilege to mem
bers of Congress, and, in lieu thereof allow
ing them money for the payment of postage;
also authorizing the committee, if so ttey
think fit, to report a bill regulating the
postage on letters and packages which
members may transmit. The deficiency
bill was then considered and passed, and
the Senate adjourned.
In the House much time was spent in
considering the Senate bill removing the
restriction on the federal authorities to con-
fine persons guilty of violation of the laws
of the United States in the penitentiaries
within the judicial district where convicted.
Two amendments were offered and rejected,
and the House adjourned.
MARCH 27.-The Senate passed the In
valid Pension Bill. Mr. Harland made
decided antiNebraska speech against Mr..
Douglas report. The Senate then adjourn
ed to Monday.
N %
ner, the Committee on Foreign Relations was
instructed to enquire into the expediency
of modifying the act remodelling the diplo-
matte and consular system, so as to repeal
among other things, so much as requires
that all diplomatic agents shall be of the
grade of ENJOYS extraordinary and ministers
The House debated the
bill defining the qualifications of voters in
Washington, till adjournment.
MARCH 25.-The House of Representa-
tlves resumed the consideration of the bill |
defining the rights of voters and the duties |
OF commissioners of elections in the CITY of |
W ashlngton, and for other purposes. It |
was finally recommitted to the Committee |
for the District of Columbia. Mr.. Lane. of |
Oregon, by unanimous consent, made a |
statement relative to the atrocities COM |
mitted by the Indians on the whites of that
and Washington Territory, and after max
ing an earnest appeal for prompt action in
this extremity, introduced bill appropria-
ting three hundred thousand dollars, in |
order 70 secure the services of friendly
Indians opursue the foe in his secret hiding
places and Businesses; as regular troops, |
during the summer, are inefficient for that
purpose. The bill was referred to the
Committee of Ways and Means. and then
he House adjourned till Monday.