Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-08-06
Congress.

Congress.
MONDAY, July 2S-A bill to amend the diplo-
matte and consular system was passed. On mo-
ton of Mr. Pugh resolution was adopted call
ing on the President for information in refer.
ence to the proceedings of the Vigilance Com
mittee in San Francisco.
The discussion on the internal improvement
bills was then resumed and continued by Messrs.
Cass, Stuart, Pugh and Others, on one side, and
Messrs Mason, Toombs &C., on the other. The
bill making an appropriation for the construc-
ton of harbor at the mouth of Grand River,
Michigan, was passed.
Houss.-The bill appropriatng $4,000 for
continuing the Improvement of the Desmoines
Rapids was passed by vote of III to 4S.
Mr.. Dunn moved to take up the Senate bill
providing for the admission Of Kansas into the
Union-hs intention being to offer substitute
recognizing the Territory and restoring the
Missouri Compromise dismissing the indictments
for treason, etc. The House refused to take up
the resolution.
The House resolved itself into a committee O.
the whole on the State of the Union on the arr
my appropriation bill. Mr.. Sherman offered
an amendment: Provided that no part of the
military force of the United States shall be
employed to aid in the enforcement of al
legged laws of the Legislative Assembly of Kan
sas convened at Shawnee Mission, until Congress
shall declare whether the laws are valid or not,
ect. After some dicussion the amendment was
agreed to ayes 80, nays 40.
TURsDAY.-Senate.-Th Senate refused by
vote OF IA to %, to order the engrossment of the
bill approprating $7 900 test the practicability
and usefulness of Richardson's atmospheric tele-
graph. .."...
Bills for the construction or completion of sew
eral more harbors in Michigan were discussed
and passed
Houe.-The Army appropriation BILL with
the various amendments reported from Commit
tee of the Whole, was taken up. Mr. Barbour's
amendment was read: That no part of the
military force shall be used in enforcing the laws
OF the Kansas Legislature until Congress shall
pronounce such laws Valid nor shall any citizen
Of the Territory be required to act as the posse
cometatus Of any officer; and such laws are re-
garded as null and void.
Mr.. Campbell, of Ohio, said he would have to
separate from those with whom he generally
acted upon this question. He would not refuse
to grant supplies to the Army in order to re-
dress grievances in Kansas. After some debate
the amendment was rejected-yeas SO, nays SO.
Mr.. Sherman's amendment then came up, viz:
That the military force shall not be used to
maintain the laws of Kansas until Con-
gress shall declare whether the laws are val
id; and in the meantime the President shall use
the army to preserve order, &C., &C. 1t was a.
dopted-yeas 81, noes SO. The bill was then
ordered to be engrossed-yeas SO, nays 80.
Mr.. Dunn called lip the motion heretofore
named by him, to reconsider the vote by which
was referred to the Committee of the Whole on
State of the Union the bill to annul certain acts
of the Legislative Assembly of Kansas, and Sc
cure TO the citizens of the Territory their rights
and privileges. The motion was agreed to-
The bill restores the Missouri restriction &C., and
was passed-ayes ss, nays "a.
! WEDNEsDAY.--Senate.-T bill to regulate
the compensation of members of Congress was
taken up. Mr.. Collamer offered substitute -
THAT they shall receive for their attendance at
the sessions twenty-five per cent additional to
what they are now entitled to by law" The
bill was referred to the Committee on Finance.
The bill to continue the improvement of the
harbor at Newark, N. J. gave rise to an animat-
ed debate, involving the entire scope Of such
questions Tji5}/ IT,
House-A bill for settling the claims Of Off
GERS of the Revolution and the widows and or
phans Of those who died in the service, was pass
ed. sf
IHURSDAY.-SendH.-I house Dill 10 con-
tinue the improvement of the Desmoine rapids
was passed; and some nineteen other River and
Harbor bills in the North and Northwest, ap-
propriatihg in the aggregate half million of dol
| lars
|, Rouse.-The Kansas contested election case
was taken up and discussed by Messrs. Wash
burne of Me-, Stephens, Savage and others.
FRIDAY.-Senate.--Not Nothing of interest
Adjourned till Monday.
Houss.-Mr. P. S. Brooks, of rs. c., having
been reelected member Of the House, appear
ed and was sworn in.
The Kansas election case was resumed, and
after further debate the resolution declaring
that Whitfield was not entitled to the seat was
agreed to-yeas ITO, nays 90. The resolution to
admit Reeder was rejected-yeas SO, nays 11S.
SArURDAY.-House.-Mr Herbert, of Califor-
MIA, made speech in vindication of his character
from charges published in the newspapers.