The Empire County argus., 1856-05-31
No. 81.
Congressional Items.

The following scraps of Congressional news,
CLEANED from the papers brought by the Golden
Age, will be found of interest:
In the House of Representatives leave to submit
resolutions closing the session on the Fourth of
July, and directing inquiry to the propriety of
prohibiting polygamy in any of the Territories,
was refused. The last mentioned proposition, aim
ca at The peculiar practices of the inhabitants of
Utah, was received with much merriment
In the United Suites Senate, the post office COM
mittee reported bill designed to encourage ocean
steam navigation. The bill authorizes the Secre-
tary OF the Navy to contract with Messrs Wander
bit and Livingston for carrying the mails between
southampton and New York, or some other port ir,
the United States, in steamers suitable for defens-
I've purposes Tor term OF six years, the compensa
tlon not to be more than that allowed by the Brit
lsh Government to the Cunard line
In the Senate the bill for the suppression of
Mexican and Spanish small silver coin was passed.
JOINT resolutions affirming the jurisdiction of the
United States over newly discovered islands of the
sea, and vestng the right of property in guano de-
posits upon said islands in the original discoveries
and their heirs were offered and referred to the
committee on foreign affairs.
In the House, a resolution for the purchase of
ntteen thousand copies, at five dollars q copv of
DIR. hane's narrative Of the Arctic Exploring Ex-
pedlton, and directing appropriate medals to be
struck and presented to all engaged in the expora-
In the Senate a motion was made directing in.
curry into the character of the Coolie trade with
a view to Its prohibition, regulation in accord
ance with existing laws respecting the transporta
tlon OF passengers in American vessels.
In the Senate, resolutions directing inquiry into
the eXpediency of establishing uniform rate of
postage throughout the country, and of permitting
inhabitants Of the British North American PROV
inces to enjoy the benefits of the patent laws on
the same footing own citizens, were adopted
Mr. w eller delivered eabore speech in favor of
the government facilitating the construction Of
railroad and telegraph line to the Pacific
Ihe President has sent document to the Senate
stating in effect toat Messrs Ilowlund & Aspnwall
have received $2250,000, and Hargous Brothers
the balance Of the three million dollars payable to
Mexico under the terms Of the Mesilla Valley
treaty with Mexico
The President has appointed DR.. James H. Relfe
lformerly a representative in Congress from the
State Of Missouri Walter Hartman, of New
Hampshire, and William Spencer, of Kansas Terri
tory, commissioners, under the. Act of March 8,
looo, making provision for the valuation, classifi-
cation and sale Of the lands in that Territory
ceded to the United States in trust to be sold for
the benefit of the Indians.
Omclal documents recently transmitted to Con-
gress are said to fully sustain the position taken by
Gen Wool with regard to the Indian war in Ore
gon and Washington Territories 1t is satisfacto-
rly proved that the troubles had their origin in
the schemes of plunder concocted by unprincipled
white men,
The territorial committee of the House of Rep
resentatlves has matured bill providing for the
admission of Kansas into the Union with the free
State constitution adopted at Topeka.