Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-12-29
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS

over the Christmas holidays. Mr.. Rice intro
duced into the Senate, a bill which was refer
red, providing for the organization of the Ter
ritory of Dacotah. Mr.. Crittenden gave no.
tice that he would call up the French Spolia-
tion bill on Jan. 6th. Mr.. Wilson, offered his
Pacific railroad bill. Mr.. Foster moved an
amendment to the bill before the Senate, which
required the road to be built of American iron.
This gave rise to discussion between Messrs.
Ciingman and Iverson in opposition, and
MeSsrs. Seward and Bigler in support of the
amendment, which was finally carried, by
small majority. The House adopted resolu-
tion instructing the Committee on Ways and
Means to attend to the Eighth Census. In
Committee of the Whole the Pension bill was
discussed.
DEC. 2l.-The Senate passed the bill making
appropriations for the St. CLAIR Flats. The
Pacific Railroad bill was then taken up, when
Mr.. Seward made long and statesmanlike
speech in its favor, urging the immediate con-
struction of the road as matter of public
policy. Mr.. Ward, of Texas, spoke for the
Texas route. Mr.. Wilson moved an amend
ment locating the road between the 34th and
AID parallel. Mr.. Seward offered resolution
Of inquiry as to the necessity of further le-
gislation against the slave-trade. 1t was an
nounced that the new Senate Chamber would
be ready to be occupied after the recess. At
ter short Executive session the Senate ad-
journed. In the House, several appropriation
bills were reported. Mr.. Kellogg of Illinois
strove in vain to introduce a bill providing
for the election of local officers in the Terri
tories by the people, and for the forma-
tion of State Constitution when the popula-
lation becomes sufficient for one Representa-
tive in Congress, such Constitution to be sub
mitted to the people for ratification. Mr..
Cavanaugh introduced bill to organize the
Territory of Dacotah. In Committee, the
enacting clause was struck out of the Soldiers
Pension bill, which then came before the
House, where substitute, offered by Mr..
Savage of Tennessee, giving pensions to all
who served sixty days or moro in the War OF
1872, was adopted. Pending the question
upon the amended bill, the House adjourned.
DEC. pa large number of petitions
seeking protection to American industry were
presented to the Senate. Mr.. Seward intro
duced bill authorizing the removal of the
United States Quarantine buildings. 4 bill
to appropriate million acres of land to Free
Public Schools in the District of Columbia,
introduced by Mr.. Wilson. was referred. Af-
ter long executive session, in the course of
which Senators Toombs and Mallory had
short colloquy, the Senate adjourned. The
House passed the Pension bill, which has
been under consideration for some days. The
Military Academy bill coming up, Messrs.
Giddings and Lovejoy opposed appropriations
for the purpose of ''tcaching men how to
fght.'' Mr.. Phelps offered a resolution
fering the Presidents Message, by parts, to
the various Committee. Ar. Comins COM
mentcd on the Message. Mr.. George Taylor
discOurscd of Central America and the Mon
roe doctrine. Mr.. Morris explained his new
Territorial bill. After a rambling discussion,
the Committee rose. Tho House passed the
Invalid Pension and Military Academy bills.
Mr. Davis of Mississippi strovc to introduce q
resolution authorizing the President to take
possession Of Cuba until satisfaction be given
for past insults.
DEC. 23.-The session of the Senate was
opened with prayer by Catholic priest in
full canonicals. A bill was introduced by Mr..
Crittenden to regulate the election of United
States Senators. Mr.. Stuart of Michigan
vainiy attempted to bring up the bill which
grants public lands to the several States for
the benefit of agriculture and the mechanic
arts. 4 bill giving = pension to the widow
and family of Col. Turnbull, gave rise to an
animated debate. A memorial from the
grandson OF Gen. Nat. Green of Rhode Island,
asking for aid in the publication of his grand
fathers memoir, was presented. Numerous
bills were introduced into the House. Among
them giving the President hundred
million of dollars whercwith to conclude a
treaty with Spain, settle all difficulties, and
procure the cession of Cuba-the sum to be
borrowed, if it be not in the Treasury at the
time fixed for payment. Another of the bills
introduced contains provisions regulating the
duties on imports. Another authorizes Loui-
Siana to impose tonnage duties, the proceeds
to be devoted to the Improvement of the
Channel of the Mississippi. One repeating
the English act, and another authorising the
the people of the Territories to elect all their
officers, were referred. Mr.. Bingham intro
duced bill abolishing the present system of
mileage, and allowing members their actual
travelling expenses only. Mr.. Morris of Illi-
nois introduced bill admitting sugar and salt
free of duty, and Mr. Washburne of the same
State, a bill establishing a post route from
Leavenworth to Pixies Peak. Mr.. Farnsworth
OF Illinois vainly endeavored to introduce a