Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-03-11
Congress.

MONDAY, March 2-Senate.-Mr. Cass pre-.
scented the joint resolutions OF the Legislature OF
Michigan on the subject of slavery in the Ter
rltories instructing the Senators Of said State
and requesting their Representatives resist tile
. admission of any more Slave States into the L.
MON. Mr.. c. addressed the Senate, defining lis
position on the subject.
House-Mr. Campbell, of Ohio, reported
from the Committee of Ways and Means bill
to deposte the surplus revenue, reserving two
millions of dollars with the several States to
be refunded when the public exigencics require.
The bill was passed. Yeas ll9-nays rs.
The House, under suspension of the rules,
passed the bill authorizing the Secretary of War
to enter into contract for removing the OBJ
structions in the Mississippi river from The Ba-
lie to the Desmoines rapids.
TUEsDAY.-,Senate-Ih Senate agreed to the
House amendment to the Minnesota land bill,
giving two hundred thousand acres of land to
Alabama for railroad purposes. This is the
Minnesota billas prepared by the House committee
on public lands, and in connection with which
subject corruption was alleged to exist
The Senate passed the fertilization bill and
the bill for the construction Of penitentiary
in Nebraska and one in Kansas, and the Navy
appropriation bill.
The bill making appropriations for certain
civil expenses of the government was taken up,
amended and passed.
! House.-The House concurred in the Senate's
amendment providing for monthly, weekly or
semi-weekly letter mail from the Mississippi to
San Francisco.
Mr.. Florence, from the Joint committee ap-
pointed to wait on the President and Vice Pres
ident elect, reported that they had performed
hat 1ut,. thoaa
accepting the high trust, expressed their graft
tude to their countrymen and said they would
endavor so to act that their confidence should
not be abused nor their expectations dsappoint-
ed.
Various bills mostly ofa private character were
passed.
WEDNEsDAY-The House this morning at
o'clock, and the Senate at o'clock, after being
in session all night, took recess till o'clock
On re assembling the business in both branch
es was mainly confined to the reports ofthe sew
eral committees of conference on disagreeing u
mendments. Through this agency was dispos-
ed the remaining general appropriation bills
namely: The civil and the deficiency bills. The
book feature of the latter was so amended as to
allow certain books to be given to new men,
bers to be deposited in the public libraries Of
their districts.
Senate-The Senate was principally engaged
with the appropriation bills. 1t was adjourned
0or Legislative business) sine die.
House.-The House passed the Senate joint
resolution directing that appropriate medals be
presented to DR.. Kane and his Arctic compan-
ions as q testimony Of the high estimation in
which Congress held their merits and services.
Mr. Aiken, of S. c.. offered resolution that
the thanks of the House are due and are hereby
rendered to the Hon. Mr.. Banks for the able
impartial and Ggnifed manner in which he has
discharged his duties as Speaker during the
present session.
Messrs. Craige, Wheeler and others objected
to the reception of the resolution.
The Speaker pro tenn, (Mr. HAVEN decided
that the resolution was q question of privilege.
Mr.. McMuen said he was not only opposed
to the resolution, but he entered solemn pro-
test against it, II came from the last State in the
Union he supposed it would come from. He re-
GREETED that Mr.. Aiken had introduced it, and
if he could take back the vote he gave the lat
ter for Speaker he would do it.
Mr.. Seward regretted exceedingly that there
had been any manifestation of feeling on this
subject. He came from the State OF Georgia
which occupies as proud position as Virginia
or any other State. lie came here with all mis-
Southern prejudices against the occupant OF the
Chair. He had witnessed his conduct closely
and scrutinized it at every step and must say he
had seen as much fairness in Mr.. Banks,as in the
occupant of the Chair of any legislative body
elsewhere. He took pleasure, coming from the
South as he did, differing with the occupant Of
the chair, to vote for the resolution, and raise
his voice in doing justice to political adverse
ry.
Great confusion here existed, and after fur
Their debate the resolution was finally adopted
yeas 1l9, nays %.
Amid deaienng confusion, the House passed
several compensation resolutions and bills
Other business was also attempted by about hf-
ty or more members.
The Speaker at near II o'clock resumed the
chair and delivered brief but eloquent address
in acknowledgements of the honor bestowed up
en- him, wishing all the members safe return
to their homes. He was warmly appauded.--
At its conclusion the House was declared ad-
journed sine die.
FRIpAY-Tbe Senate met in Executive ses-
sion, but nothing of interest transpired. Mr..
Bigler presented protest of forty-four mein-
hers of the House of Representatives, and pro-
test of fifteen members of the Senate of the State
of Pennsylvania against the proceedings under
which the Hon. Simon Cameron claims to rep
resent that State, in the Senate OF the United
States from the 4Lh of March, 1857.