Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-02-27
DOINGs OF CONGREss.

Neither House sat on Monday, 22d. On
Tuesday, after the usual morning business,
Mr.. Bell presented some resolutions from the
Legislature Of Tennessee, instructing the Sena-
tors from that State as to their course on the
Kansas question, upon which Mr.. b. proceeded
to speak at length Mr.. johnson replied, and
a collequy of some piquancy followed, when
Mr.. b. again took the floor, but gave way for
motion to adjourn.
On Wednesday the discussion was contin-
ued in rather tart and acrimonious spirit on
the part of Mr.. johnson, and in a pretty sharp
manner by Mr.. Bell, occupying the whole day.
Mr. Bell being assailed felt it due to himself
Of course, to repel his assailants, and he did SO
with spirit and ability. The discussion was,
however, better suited to the nostrums Of q
political field, than the Senate Of the United
States. Mr.. johnson, we could perceive, had
lost none Of his demagogical qualities and pro-
pensities to dabble in muddy waters, since he
was member of the other House.
In the House, the question Of privilege in
troduced by Mr.. Hoard in regard to the tam
pering of the Executive with q member, Mr..
Burns, Of Ohio, for his vote for Lecompton,
was postponed till Thursday, and then mem
bers went pell-mcll, as usual, into Kansas.
Mr.. Burroughs, Of New York, spoke against
Lecompton.
Mr.. Curry, Of Alabama, laudcd Kansas and
Lccompton, and predicted dissolution if Lee
compton were rejected. But no one tainted or
was frightened.
Mr.. Morris, of Illinois, defended Senator
Douglas, ridiculed all threats Of dsunion, and
denounced all attempts to intimidate and dra-
COON the Northern Democracy.
Mr. Andrews, of New York, then spoke
against the ndmi ssion of Kansas under the Lee
compton Constitution, and against slavery gen.
orally.
Mr.. Crawford, Of Georgia, obtained the floor
and spoke on Wednesday, in favor Of Lecomp-
ton, and eulogistic Of the institutions of the
South, and, in conclusion, appealing TO the
Democracy not to desert the South.
Mr. Goodwin, Of New York, followed, and
went as far North as Mr.. G. had gone South.
Mr.. Millson, of Virginia, then spoke in o
more argumentativc strain.
Mr.. Chaffce, of Massachusetts, "paired off,
with him on the other side of the subject, and
was followed by Mr.. Davis, of Mississippi, and
Mr.. Fenton, of New York.
Mr.. Smith, of Tennessee, then got the floor
and the House adjourned
Mr.. Mason, from the Committee on Ac
counts, reported a bill regulating the salaries
of the clerk and his assistants, and the door
keeper and his assistants, and the number tc
be employed.
Mr.. Spinner reported a bill from the minor
ity of the committee on the same subject
On Thursday in the Senate, was resumed the
consideration fthe subject of the admission o.
General Shields, one of the Senators elect from
Minnesota, and after much debate upon the
question Of privilege, the subject was disposed
Of by the adoption of the following resolution
offered by Mr.. Toombs:
Resoloed, That the question of the admis
sion Of James Shields 10 act in this body MS
Senator from the State Of Minnesota be referred
to the Committee on the Judiciary with in
structions to inquire whether or not Minnesota
is State in the Union under the constitution
and laws. u
The Senate then took up the Army bill
which was finally disposed If, by being de
feated, at late h,ur,-ayes 16, noes 35. 81
falls an Administration measure.
The House was occupied the whole day upor
resolutions to expel Mr.. Matteson, which wer'
finally referred to select committee Of five
ayes 93, noes 81.