Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-12-16
THIRTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.

4n4hl IL Z II LII CUNGRESS.
Both Houses of Congress organized on Mon
day the 9TH December.
In the Senate, in the absence of the Vice
President Mr.. Breckenridge, Fitzpatrick OF
Alabama was chosen President of that body.
Johnston of Tennessee, and Clark of New
Hampshire, new members, were sworn in by
Mr.. Bright, the Oldest member.
The usual resolutions were adopted for the
appointment of committees 10 inform the
House and the President of the United States
that the Senate organized and ready for
the transaction of business. The Senate then
went into Executive session and confirmed the
nomination by the President of George W.
Bowman, editor of the Bedford Gazette, as Su-
perintendant of Public Printing g,-after which
an adjournment took place, no other business
being transacted. sr7a
In the House two hundred and twenty-one
members answered to their names, when an e.
lection for Speaker took place, which resulted
in the election of James l.. Orr of South Caro-
lima, the democratic nominee. The Republi-
cas- in caucus nominated Mr. Grow of Penn
sylyania, and the vote STOOD Orr, 12S; Grow,
81; scattering, 13. Mr.. Orr was declared du-
ly elected, and was conducted to the Chair by
Stephens of Georgia, and Banks of Massachu-
sctts. The oath Of office was administered
by Mr.. Giddings. The new Speaker on tax
ing the Chair, delivered an appropriate adj
dress. The members were then sworn in, af-
ter which Mr.. Allen of Illinois, was elected
Clerk. Mr.. Glossenbrenncr, Sergcant-at-Arms,
and Mr.. Hackcy, Doorkeeper. Mr. Cluskey
was declared Postmaster by resolution.
Mr.. Florence of Pennsylvania, gave notice
OF his intention to introduce a bill for the en-
tire suppression of all bank notes as currency,
or bank notes of less denomination than one
hundred dollars, as circulating medium in
the District of Columbia, after which the
House adjourned.
In the Senate, on Tuesday, upon a motion
to print the Presidents message, Mr.. Douglass
took occasion to say that he concurred in all
the President had expressed, except that por-
tion relative to Kansas and the Lecompton
constitution, and that at an early day he would
give his reasons for believing that the people
of the Territory had MT been left to regulate
their own affairs in their own way, guaran-
tied by the organic act. Mr.. Stuart Of Michi-
gan, concurred with Mr.. Douglass. Mcssrs.
Davis, Mason and Bigler supported the views
Of the President. Messrs. Hale, Seward and
Trumbull attacked the Kansas Lecompton con-
stitution and the position Of the Exec
Pending motion that all the printing be exc
cuted by the printer TO the Senate at the last
session-the Washington Union-the Senate
adjourned.
Tho House was engaged in discussing the
question OF the election of printer, but ad-
iourncd without coming TO any conclusion.
In the Senate, on Wednesday, Mr.. Douglas
commenced the discussion of the Kansas qucs-
ton. IIo denounced the Presidents message
as containing a radical and fundamental error,
and maintained that he could not endorse the
Lecompton Convention without violating the
principles of the bill and stultefying himself.
lie proceeded to show that Congress could not
properly receive Kansas into the Union under
this bogus Convention, and said that the whole
constitution must be submitted, to ascertain
whether or not it meets with the appreciation
of the people of the territory. He WAS re-
piled to by Mr.. Bigler, who endcavored to de
fend the position OF the President. After a
long discussion, most humilitating to the SEN
ator from Pennsylvania, the Senate adjourned.
The House elected Mr.. Steadnan dem. }
printer, ever Mr.. Weston, (Rep-) The men,
bers then selected their seats by lottery, and
an adjournment took place.
Both Houses of Congress on Thursday met
and presently adjourned till Monday, in order,
we presume to offord time forthe appointment
OF the usual Committees. In the Senate, Mr..
Douglas gave notice of bill to enable the
peopIe of Kansas to form Constitution and
State Government, preparatory to their admiS
sion into the Union. We shall await with
interest the appearance of this bill; if its
provisions are perfectly fair to the much in
5ured people of the Territory, its passage may
indeed put an end to the wrongs of which
they have been the victims, and restore tc
them the peace and tranquility of which 81
greatly they stand in need.
In the House, Mr.. Stephens Of Ga. Offered
a book distributing resolution, which was a
dopted. Mr.. Letcher of Va. took ground a
Cainst this corrupt system. We trust he vii
not let the matter rest where it is.
THE Mormon WAR.-The advance forces O
the Utah army were in the South Pass in the