Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-02-11
Congress-.

MONDAY. Feb. 2.-Senate.-On motion of Mr..
Weller q resolution was adopted requesting
the Secretary of War TO communicate copies OF
all the correspondence not heretofore 1urnlshed
relative to the proceedings OF the vigilance
Committee of 1856.
On motion Of Mr.. Pearce a resolution was q,
dopted calling on the Secretary OF war for All
the information in his possession, showing the
result of the efforts made TO introduce cames III
the military service
The bill to establish Department of Law
was considered for short time.
On motion of Mr. Bigler resolution was o.
dopted, providing for the appointment of ajont
Committee to ascertain and report mode OF ex-
aiming the votes for President and Vice-Presi-
dent and notifying the persons elected OF their
election.
The indian appropriation bill was then con-
sidered and passed.
House.-Mr. Kelsey, by unanimous direction
of the investigating Committee, reported a reso
luton requiring the Sergeant at Arms to bring
before the Committee James W. Simonton, to
answer, on summons Of the speaker, such ques-
tions as may be propouLded to him. The reso-
luton was passed.
Mr.. Humphrey Marshall. from the committee
on the Judiciary, reported bill dividing the
State of Texas into two judicial districts; the
present Judge (Watrous.) to be confined to the
Eastern District The bill was passed
Mr. Barbour, from the committee on the ju-
dietary, reported resolution that John c. Wat
rous, district Judge Of the district of Texas, be
impeached of higlrcrimes and misdemeanors.-
The report was ordered to be printed.
TUEsDAY-Senate-Mr Wilson introduced
bill to secure to actual Settlers the alternate
sections Of the public lands reserved in grants
made TO the railroads 1t provides that actual
settlers shall take the reserved section, being a.
bout ] / 100000 acres at g. 90 per acre in COM
pliance with the pre-emption act of l841.
The Senate at an early hour, went into an
executive session, and after several hours there
in, adjourned. =
House Business relative to the District of CO.
lumbia was considered during the day.
WEDNESDAY. Senate. Mr. Weller, from the
committee on military affairs, reported in favor
of printing the documents srecently communica-
ted relative to General SCOTS Pay a debate
ensued. Messrs, Cfittendens He'll, Pcarce and
others objected tothe publications. the cores
pondence between Cen. Scott and Secretary Da-
Wis. Messrs. Weller, patrick, Stuart and
Benjamin insisted that tbe publication was me-
cesar in order do full justice to both parties.
The motion to print was agreed to.
Hoass.-Mr. Bingham, from the Committee on
Elections, reported d resolution which was a.
dopted that Nj. II egallg elected from the
first Congressional District of Iowa
The House then discussed the joint resolution
proposing togiye eachbranch ofCongress entire
control OF its. contingent fund, without the SUI
peryision of the. Treasury Officers. Mr.. B0cock,
while opposing the bill, Saddle saw corruption
| like gangrene, stretching throughout the coun-
| try He would not break 9ownsthe barriers by
which the public.treasurc. was now. guarded
The bill was passed by "a yasjerity of seven
votes tslft s39Tfers
The Tariff bill was then takensupin the COM
mittee, when Messrs Evans, Wright of Tonnes
see, and A. X. Marshall made political speeches,
after which the House adjourned
THURSDAY .-.-Ssnate-T The House bill relat-
ing to foreign coins and, the coinage Of cents
Hol1se.-The submarine telegraph bill, passed
by the Senate, was taken up. a Mr.. Smith, Of
Va, opposed the. bill, and Nj: Mace advocated
III. - ~ -
Pending this subject the House went into
Committee. of the whole. TssS
Mr.. bingham spoke onsthe subject of Central
American and Cuban affairs, ssaying, in the
course of his remarks, that 1--WE have right to
expect q. bold policy from the incoming adj
ministration concerning it.
Mr.. Stanton argued against the reduction of
the duties on wool, and Characterized the pend
ing bill as one for the benefit of manufacturers,
irrespective of the interests of agricultural class
es.
Mr. Letcher proceeded to show the necessity
for reduction of the revenues
FRlpAY.--.Sendte.-Th Committee on Com
merce were directed to inquire into tire expedi-
ency of authorizing the expenditure of $4,000
for the further exploration of the river La
Platte.
House.-Seventeen private bills were passed.
MISUNDERSTANDING of special in
terest,
Hoase-A resolution was unanimously adopt
ed authorizing the Speaker to pay to the widow
of Hon. p S. Brooks the sum due the deceased as
member OF the House.
Territorial business was attended to. Mr..
Grow OF Pa, gave notice that on Tuesday Lext he
would endeavor to obtain a vote on the bill to
repeal the laws of Kansas.
THE COINAGE BnI@--There seems to have been
an unnecessary panic amongst-the people in re-
pard TO tina effect of the, new coinage bill before