The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-03-12
Congressional Proceedings.


MONDAY, March LIN the Senate, Mr..
Green, who presented the majority report OF
the Committee on Territories, in favor of the
admission of Kansas under the Lecompton
Constitution, called up the bill which accom-
panied the report, providing for such admis-
sion. After some objection on the part Of the
friends of the Pacific Railroad, who contend.
ed tor the priority, 1t was decided to take up
lthe bill. Mr.. Green then gave notice tina,
he should offer substitute, providing for the
admission of Minnesota at the same time with
Kansas. The reason assigned by Mr.. G. for
this connection was that Il would expedite
business. But others contend that Il will OBJ.
viously produce the contrary effect, and that
It Is necessary to look for different motive,
which doubtless consists in desire to borrow
strength for the passage of Lecompton by the
Minnesota connection. Whether such will
be the effect remains to DO seen. Mr.. Green
proceeded to discuss the Kansas question al
considerable length. and was followed by Mr.
Collamer, of Vermont, in opposition. at the
conclusion of whose remarks, the Senate ad-
ourned.
In the House. the Special Committee ia
consider the resolution providing for the ex-
pulson Of Mr.. Matteson was appointed, as
follows; Messrs. Seward, Harris, OF Illinois,
Grow, Curtis and Bishop. Mr.. Harris was
subsequently, excused from serving, ut his
own request. A memorial was presented
I from the Marine Underwriters Of Philadelphia
| against any alteration OF the Lighthouse
law. Nothing else of general interest was
done.
TUESDAY, March 2.-In the Senate, the bill
which has already passed the House, making
an appropriation to enable the President 10
carry out the treaty stipulations for the abo-
lition OF the Sound dues, was passed. Mr..
Houston introduced his bill, already noticed,
providing for the raising OF volunteers. Mr.
Douglass resolution, calling for information
Oh Kansas affairs, was taken up, and he pro-
ceeded to show the necessity tor its passage.
He denounced Gen. Calhoun, saying he was
in the city endeavoring to force the Lecomp.
fon Constitution through by withholding the
facts and making contradictory statements
Mr.. Douglas was cut short in his remarks BY
the arrival of the hour for the taking OF the
special order, the bill for the admission OF
Kansas, which was discussed by Mr.. Cola.
mer, in continuation. Mr.. Seward has the
floor tomorrow.
In the House, the motion to reconsider
the vote referring to the Committee OF the
Whole the Senate bill authorizing the Presi.
dent 10 re-instate any officers affected by the
Naval Retiring Board, was debated all day
without any vote being taken.
WEDNESDAY, March SIN the Senate, Mr..
Hammond, OF South Carolina, introduced
joint resolution authorizing the Secretary OF
the Navy to pay the officers and seamen oil
the expedition in search Of DIR. Kane, under
Capt. Hartstein, at the same rate as has been
allowed to the officers and seainen OF Lieut..
DE Ravens expedition.
The special assignment, being the bill for
the admission Of Kansas under the Lecompton
Constitution, was taken up. Mr.. Seward
being entitled to the floor, made an elaborate
speech upon the Kansas question aud the
general contest which the system OF tree and
slave labor are wagins with each other. lie
concluded that the triumph OF freedom in the
Government was certain, and near at hand.
His speech was attentively listened TO BY
men vi all parties, and his friends pronounce
il one OF the Senator'S ablest efforts.
Mr.. Seward was followed by Mr.. Thomp-
son, OF New-Jersey, in favoro 1 the admission
OF Kansas under the Lecompton Constitution.
In the House, the Senate resolution author
izing tho President TO appoint any officers
affected by the action OF the Naval Retiring
Board to their former positions, was passed
by seventy.one majority. No other business
ives done.
THURSDAY, MARCH AIN the Senate, an
adverse report was made on the bill TO amend
the act passed in 1859, granting bounty land
TO certain persons. The bill tor the admission
OF Kansas was taken up, and debated until
the adjournment, Messrs. Hammond, OF
South Carolina, and Doolittle, OF Wisconsin,
occupying most OF the time.
The Senate adjourned to Monday.
In the House, Mr.. Hoards resolution ask.
ing Tor Select Committee to inquire whether
the action of members had been influenced
by the bestowing or withholding OF Execu.
i've patronage, was debated all day the
question being, Shall the resolution be enter.
tanned as question Of privilegei Finally
motion was made to lay the whole matter on
the table, which prevailed by vote Of % to
so.
FRIDAY, March 5.-The Senate was not In
session. The House was engaged all day on
the private calendar.
MONDAY. March SIN the Senate, the
Military Committee were instructed 10 in.
quire into the propriety Of amending the law
TO punish the crime Of desertion IN the Army.
Mr.. Green, from the Committee on Territories.
gave notice that he would call for a direct
vote on his bill for the admission of Kansas
under the Lecompton Constitution ON Mon. |
day next. Mr.. Doolittlc, Of Wisconsin, then
resumed and concluded his speech on the
Kansas question. Mr.. Foster. of Connecticut |
also made speech on the same subject. In
the House. Mr. Taylor. Of louisiana, offered |
resolutions, which were referred to the Com. |
mittee on Foreign Relations, inquiring AZ to
the facts attending the seizure OF the Ameri.
can bark Adriafie by the French Government, |
for redress to the owners, and pre.
vent similar proceedings In the future. The
Kansas question was discussed In Committee
Of the Whole on the Consular and Diplomat.
10 Appropriation bill. '