The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-04-15
THIRTY-FIFTH CONGRESS,
FIRST SESSION.
Thursday, april 8, 1858.
SENATE.


The bill reported by the special committee
appointed TO consider the expediency Of con-
structing railroad and telegraph line to the
Pacific coast was called up by Mr. Gwin, who
explained at length the various provisions of the
measure and enforced the necessity of its adop-
tion By Congress. He also reviewed the vari-
GUS competing routes by which this great enter.
prise might be attempted, and remarked on the
advantages which would accrue from it, es we'll
TO The Government of the United States as to
the people of California. The further consid-
Grafton of the subject being postponed till Mon
day uext-
Mr.. Hunter called up the bill making appro-
prations for the consular and diplomatic ex-
penses of the Government for the year ending
June 30th, 1859, which was briefly considered
By the Senate, and postponed.
The resolution of Mr.. Doolittle authorizing
the presentation of gold medal to Com. Paul
ding. for his gallant conduct in efecting the ar.
res of William Walker in Nicaragua, together
with the report of the Committee on Foreign
Relations upon the same subject being brought
bsf re the Senate
Mr.. Slidel proceeded to deliver an elaborate
argument in condemnation of that arrest, and in
opposition to the stringent policy of our neu
trality laws. He held that the capture of Walk
er was not justified by the orders of the AID
miaistration; nor could the responsibility as
sumed by Com. Psulding be defended on con-
siders,iens growing out of the circumstances Of
the case. In arriving at this judgment, he was
not influenced by any sympathy with the per-
sou or exploits of Walker. He regarded him
tWaIksr) as utterly incompetent to fulfil the
high mission he had undertaken. His career
had been marked, not only by incapacity, but
by exsctions and atrocities which had alienated
the very people to whom he professed to come
as q liberator and Regeneration. Brave he might
be, as this was a vulgar attribute of American
citizens; bat in the higher traits of soldierly
ability and generalship, he had been tried and
found wanting. That his late expedition against
Nicaragua was military in its character, and IL
legal in its origin, seemed incontestable. As
such, it should have been arrested by Capt.
Chatsrd in the waters of Nicaragua, but, after
Walker had effected his descent, it no longer re-
NAMED for Com. Psulding to invade the terri.
torisl sovereignty CT Nicaragua with the view
of frustrating the unlawful enterprise.
With regard to our neutrality laws, Mr.. Sli.
dell said that, while approving their general
policy, he was compelled to think that they
were stringent beyond the necessities of our
neutral obligations, as prescribed by interna-
tionsl law. England had her foreign enlistment
act, but she suspended its operation by an order
in Council whenever it saited her interest or
pleasure to do 80. In like manner be was in
favor of authorizing the President of the United
States to suspend the act of April 20, 1918,
whenever in his judgment the public necessities
might make it expedient. The discretion was
a large one, but in prudent hands it could not
be regarded as dangerous.
The further consideration of the subject be-
ing postponed to afuture day, Mr.. Brown moved
that the Senate consider certain bills reported
BY the Committee on the District of Columbia
The motion being agreed to, bill providing
for the enforcement of mechanics liens on
buildings, &C., in the District, was read and
briefly debated, when, at the request of several
Senators, the further consideration of the sub.
jet was postponed. Mr.. Brown hoped, that if
any of the citizens of Washington had objec-
tons to any of the provisions of the bill, they
would make them known In some authentic
form.
A bill for the benefit of public schools in the
city of Washington was next read, when, on
motion of Mr.. Hunter, the Senate adjourned,
having previously resolved to adjourn over till
Monday next.
The Senate bill to establish an auxiliary
guard in this city was ordered to be printed,
and assigned as q special order in Committee
of the Whole, where it will probably be consid
cred to-day.
The deficiency bill next came up as the reg
ulsr order of business, the pending question
being the motion of Mr.. GarneM of Virginia,
to recommit the bill and amendments to the
Committee of WAYS aud Means, with certain
Instructions. A motion to lay the bill on the
table was lost-yeas 43, nays l43-and then
the motion 10 recOmmit was disagreed to-yeas
l0l, nays 100. The hill was then ordered to
be engrossed and read third time, but on its
passage was rejected, the vote being yeas LOG,
nays l24.
At about half past one o'clock, Mr.. Montgom-
cry, of Pennsylvania, in accordance with pre-.
vions arrangement, called up the Kansas bill,
which had been returned from the Senate with
the House amendment (viz: the substitute
adopted on the motion of Mr.. Montgomery
disagreed to. Mr.. NJ. then moved that the
House 0hhere, and upon that motion he de-
manded the previous question. A brief discus.
sion ensued on points of order after which, the
previous question was sustained, and under its
operation the motion to adhere prevailed, by
yeas ll9, nays Ill. This motion being the
last step IN parliamentary intercommunication,
II closes the door TO accommodation by means
Of conference committees. The question liz the
Senate will now be on receding from or adher-
ing to It's disagreement to the amendment of
the House. Fit recedes the bill will stand pass
ed with the Montgomery amendment; but, if
it shall adhere to its disagreement, the bill will
fall
Mr.. Branch, Of North Carolina, moved to re.
consider the vote rejecting the deficiency bill,
with view to recommitting it with instructions
to the Committee of Ways and Means to bring
in separate bills for each item of deficiency
This led to an irregular and somewhat person.
al discussion, in which gentlemen on all sides
participated. A motion to lay the reconsidera.
ton On tie table was lost, and the main ques-
ton was ordered to be put pending which, at
three o'clock, the House adjourned.
The bill for the admission of Minnesota was
received from the Senate during the day. The
galleries were crowded throughout the session.