The Placer herald., 1857-03-21
ARRIVAL OF THE SONORA.
Two Weeks Later News from the East.
PASSAGE OF THE WAGON ROAD BILL
GREAT SUCCESS OF GEN. WALKER
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS OF NEWS.

cisco on Tu sday evening, the 18th instant
bringing dates from New York to the goth
of February, the United States mails, aud
GAG passengers.
CoNGREsstoNAL.-The Senate, on the 14th
of February, on motion of Mr.. Weller, con-
sdered the House bill for the construction
of wagon road from Fort Kearny, via the
South Pass of the Rocky Mountains and the
Great Salt Lake Valley, to the eastern por
ton of Caifornia-and it was passed.
In executive session the Dallas Clarendon
treaty having been amended by the Commit
tee on Foreign Affairs, was debated for seve
raj hours and finally laid over till the fifth of
March, the first day of the new Admnistra
ton. The South is opposed to its amend
ments, and all on account Of the Anglo
Honduras treaty, which belongs to the Dal
las treaty. Other reasons prevailed to pre-
vent its confirmation by the present Senate,
and its fate after the 4th of March, under the
new Administration is problematical.
The Senate on Tuesday passed the Army
bill, which now only awaits the signature of
the President to become law. The bill
gives an average increased salary to each
office Of $5OO-or in all, s25O,O00 During
the discussion of the bill in the Senate, the
galleries were all crowded with the wives of
officers, all anxious as to its fate.
On the 18th February a law was passed to
prevent the counterfeitng of United States
coin, and bill to ascertain and settle private
land claims in California. The House pas
sed the Submarine Telegraph Bill, after
amending it, and it will now 90 back to the
Senate for concurrence.
The House concurred with the Senate
amendment to the Coinage bill, making it
lawful for two years to pay out at the Mint
the new cents authorized to be coined for
the fractional parts of the Spanish and Mex
lean dollar Some debate was also had upon
the tariff in Committee of the Whole.
On the 10th the proceedings in the Halls
of Congress were of most important and
exciting nature. The report Of the commit
tee appointed to investigate the charges Of
corruption against members of Congress was
presented. The report recommends the eX
pulsion of Messrs. Gilbert, Edwards, Welch
and Matteson, and also the exclusion of Mr..
Simonton from the floor of the House as re-
porter. After q protracted discussion, fur
ther consideration Of the subject was postpon
ed until the 25th.
The committee also reported bill to guard
against corrupt and secret influence of future
legislation.
A bill now before the House of Represen-
tatves at Washington, intended for the relief
of the settlers of Kansas 1t sets forth that.
as the laws of Kansas, passed at Shawnee
Mission, prescribe unjust and unwarrantel test
oaths, as a qualification for voting, or holding
office in said Territory, and it appearing from
report made by committee of investiGa
ton sent by the House to Kansas that the
said Legislature was not elected by the legal
voters of Kansas, but was forced upon them
by observation-disclosures all rules and re
guletions, purporting to be laws, or forms of
laws adopted by the body assembly of the
Territory, and all their acts and proceedings
are declared invalid and Of no binding force
The bill provides that the Governor of
the Territory shall issue proclamation for
an election Of members of the Legislative
Assembly, appoint suitable persons to
superintend the election in each dis
trict and prescribe all needful rules and
regulations therefor. Any person whose
vote is challenged must prove by his own
oath and the testimony of two witnesses that
he is bona fide settler of the Territory,
and has been a resident thereof for the peri
cd of one month, and of the district fifteen
days Immediately preceding the election.
Non-resdents voting at any election are sub
jeot to q fine of not less than $50 nor more
than 500, and imprisonment not less than
two nor more than six months Armed in
forf ho olo ;tho Co., IL
purpose Of voting, disturbing or controll-
ing them, is made punishable by fine of
not less than 800 and not exceeding $500
and Imprisonment for not less than three
months nor more than one year; if the of
fender or offenders be non-residents, the
Imprisonment ranges from six months to
two years. Judges of election who permit
illegal voting or armed interference are to
be punished by fine of not less than $50
nor more than $500, and imprisoned from
six to twelve months.
The bill may possible pass the House
but only to be rejected in the Senate.
MIscELLANEoUs.-The disunion conven-
ton assembled on the 10th February, at
Utica. About $50 persons were in atten-
dance. The convention fully endorsed the
sentiments of the convention held at Wor-
chester, and openly and boldly avowed Sc
cession.
The Republican State Convention of
Rhode Island met yesterday nominated E.
Dyer for Governor, and Thomas G. Turn
er for Lieutenant Governor. The present
secretary of State, Attorney General, and
Treasurer, were all re nominated. The
Know Nothngs nominated the same ticket
except the Lieut.. Governor.
Advices from Kansas states that the
Commissioners appointed to investigate char
ges against the Surveyor General, Cadwall-
der, reported in his favor.
Gen. Clark, charged with killing Mr..
Barkous, was surrendered and entered into