True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-03-04
Congressional Proos edings.

congressional fr0Ce eulngS.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27,--Senate.
Evening Session. Senate debated
for hours, and finally adopted the
amendment authorizing the Post Master
General to contract for the conveyance
of the entire letter mail from Mississippi
to San Francisco in four horse coaches.
at a cost not exceeding 100000 per
anmm, for semi-monthly. $450,0OO for
weekly, or $600,000 for semi-weekly
service. Contractors to have the right
of pre.empton to 800 acres of land at
each point necessary for station, not
nearer than ten miles from each other.
Among other amendments adopted.
$4,000 were appropriated for the inland
mail service.
The Washington Territory bill was
passed Adjourned.
House.-After a long debate, Mr..
Smith, (of Va, offered the following as
a substitute for the committees resolution:
There has been no evidence elected by
the committee who were charged with,
and have reported in the case Of WEIGH ;
and no further proceedings should be had
against him. Adopted, lilo against AZ.
Adjourned. .,
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2S.-Senate.-
Senate passed the House bill prohibiting
the importation of obscene prints, statues
&c. The House bill making appropria-
tons 10 complete military roads in Oregon
was also passed.
On motion of Mr.. Crittenden, the SEN
ate proceeded to the consideration of
joint resolution from the House, increas-
ing the pay Of Lieut.. Gen. Scott.
After brief discussion the subject was
postponed till Monday.
The deficiency bill was taken up.
Senate struck out the clause appropri-
atng $l85 900 for books for Members of
the House. Senators in the course of
debate said this was stupendous fraud
on the country. .
The Senate passed deficiency and
House bills establishing three additional
land districts in Nebraska and three in
Kansas. a...
On motion, Allison's resolution was
adopted, requesting the President to
communicate to the Senate all correspon-
dence with Geary relative to the affairs OF
Kansas.
Senate proceeded 10 consideration Of
the Legislative, executive and judicial ap-
preparation bill.
An amendment was proposed by Com
mittee on Finance 10 create mission
TO Persia After some debate the amend
ment was adopted, 25 against 21.
House.-The report of Select Com,
mttee in the case of Edwards was taken
up with the resolutions.
Mr. Edwards remarked, he could say
honestly and with clear conscience he
never gave vote on any bill which was
not sanctioned by his judgmnt. In his
intercourse with the members of this
House he had universally sought to be on
terms Of friendship with them, and if
} he had unwillingly given offence to any
one he asked his pardon. He could say
the hours he spent here in the association
with gentlemen were the most agreeable
of his life, and he should carry with him
iuto his retirement the conviction that he
never sought TO do any one injury, He
felt in his own heart that he never inten-
ded to wrong any member. He had be-
come satisfied from the votes taken on
other cases, that although gentlemen on
all sides sympathized with him in his
position, he could expect to share no bet
7 ter fate than others charged with grave
offences. His answer to The committee
! having been dlsregarded, and the case
u standing on the testimony of Mr.. Paine
alone, his own statement Of innocence
J, availed bin nothing, nor could he at this
!; time make such explanations as would
u relieve him from the effect Of Mr.. Payne's
V testimony. He wished torelieve personal
L friends from the pressure which has been
: made upon him in their own immediatf
a localities, from all embarrassment There
fore he had determined to resign his sea-
having already informed the Governor oI
New York of that fact. 1o
ir On motion of Mr.. Ritchie, the rosolu-
y tions in Mr.. Edwards case were laid OF
q the table. X
y Mr.. Welch obtained permission to print
0 the remarks he intended 10 make yester
3 day in vindication Of his character.
e. The resolution Of Washburne Of III, I
discharge the Committee Of the Whole
ID on the Slate of the Union from the con
a sideration Of river and harbor bills. hl
5. object being TO put them on final passag
20 srejected--1l3 against go, tWo'thlrd
~ being necessary.
e. The bill as amended BY the Senal
Twas taken up.