, 1858-02-05

CONGRESSIONAL AND PoLfricAL-0n the
\ 18th December, Mr.. Hunter introduced in
the Senate bill for the issue Of twenty
millions in Treasury notes. As to the first
six millions, the rate Of interest is to be fixed
by the Treasury Department; the balance
is to be issued at the lowest rate Of interest
that will command the exchange of the notes
at par for specie. What the policy is as to
making these notes part of the currency
does not distinctly appear Mr. Hunter
I urged the immediate consideration of the
subject, but the matter was postponed
On the 18th, both Houses Of Congress
we're intent on the Administration project
of an issue of Treasury notes to any amount
below twenty millions of dollars. The course
of debate in each renders probable the i'm
position of very material restrictions on this
issue, alike as to the amount, rate of inter
est and duration of issue. Mr. Crittenden
said the Government ought to increase its
revenue by taxation in some form, and not
undertake to meet its current expenses in
time of peace by shining.
i On the 10Th, the Senate passed the Trea-
sury note bill, very slightly amended, by
mixed vote. Yeas 81, noes Is. Messrs.
Crittenden, Foot, Hall, Kennedy, Seward
and Wilson Of the Opposition supported
the bill, while Messrs., Bfoderick, JEFF. Da-
Wis, johnson of Tennessee, and Pugh voted
nay, with majority Of the Republicans.
Mr.. Douglas voted for the bill 1t was
amended SO as to limit the duration of the
notes TO the ensuing year, and forbid the is
sue below the denomination of $780, In
the House, Treasury notes were also dis
cussed, but without result
Major Harris Of the Union was elected
Senate Printer, Mr.. Douglas declining to
vote for him for reasons satisfactory to
himself"
The House have elected Mr. Steadman
of Ohio, the Democratic caucus candidate,
Printer, by a vote of l2l to SO, for George
NJ Weston, (Repub.) and scattering.
Mr.. DouGLAs' KANSAS BnL.-Washing-
ton, Dec lS.-The bill introduced by Mr..
Douglas in the Senate to-day provides for
board Of five persons, appointed by the
President and confirmed by the Senate, to
make an enumeration of the inhabitants of
Kansas. and fair apporticnment of the
members Of the Convention to form the
new Constitution. The election te be held
on day to be designated by the board to
be not less than ninety nor more than one
hundred and twenty days after the passage
of the act The board is to be entrusted
with the appointment Of judges and the Sc
lection Of places Of voting, the elective
franchise to be confined to every free white
male citizen Of the United States over twen-
ty-one years Of age, who may be bona tfde
resident Of the Territory on the 2lst of De
cember, and who shall have resided three
months prior to said election in the county
in which he offers to vote The Convention
to assemble in not less than thirty nor more
than sixty days after the election of dele
gates The Constitution to be submitted
to the legal voters for their free acceptance
or rejection, and unless adopted by major
ity Of oil the legal votes cast, shall be null
and void The bill also secures the personal
and political rights of the people, including
those of speech and the press.
ARIzoNA-0n the 18th Dec, in the Sem
ate, Mr.. Gwin introduced bill for the es-
tablishment Of Territorial Government in
Arizona. He having previously presented a
memorial from certain citizens Of California
and New Mexico asking the same.
PACIFIC RAMRoAD.-So much of the
Presidents message as relates to the Pacific
Railroad has been referred to special COM
mercial committee of nine, of which the
mover, Mr.. Gwin was made Chairman. A
: motion to table Mr.. II. Benefits resolution
/ to raise q select Committee on this subject
has been voted down by 80 to "a. This
looks favorable for the road.
KANsAs--Hon. Robt. ]. Walker has re-
signed his post as Governor of Kansas.
Mr.. Stanton, Secretary of this Territory
has been removed, and Gen. Denver ap-
pointed in his place. There has been some
talk Of giving him the Office Of Superintend-
ent of Indian Affairs, previously held by
Denver. A spirited debate, lasting several
hours, took place before Gen. Denver was
confirmed. The confirmation was by a
strict party vote.
DESTRUCTION OF IRANIsTAN.-The magni-
, 6ecnt residence Of p 7. Barnum, near
Bridgeport, known as Iranistan," was
destroyed by fire on the night Of December
l7th
B4- The ST Louis Democrat learns that
: news has been received at Fort Leaven-
: worth, from Majors and Russel's trains
for Utah, that the Government animals
were dying in great numbers on the plains.
Col. Hoffman, who left Fort Leaveuworth
, the last of October. arrived in ST. Louis on
Sunday night. He brings no news of the
,, Utah expedition.
EARTHQUAKE IN VIRGINIA-A slight
Q shock of an earthquake was felt in Lewis
q burg, Greenbrier county, Virginia, about
: 10 o'clock on Thursday night. The same
; moment a very large landslide took place
} on the Greenbripr river, near Edgar's Mill.