Mariposa Democrat., 1858-03-04
ARRIVAL OF THE GOLDEN AGE
CONGRESSIONAL AND GENERAL NEWS


The Golden Age arrived on the 26th, at Sar
Francisco, making the time 20 days and 22l
hours from wharf to wharf being the shortest
passage ever made from New York. Running
time, 10 days and 12 hours.
Congressional and News Items.
In the Senate, on the 21st of January, the
Homestead Bill was reported back from the
Committee on Public Lands, and its passage
recommended. On the 25th, Mr.. Mason, Of
Va, from the Committee on Foreign Relations
presented report on Central American affairs
in which he expressed his approval Of the pres.
ent neutrality laws, and recommended the
passage of bill containing further provisions
for bringing offenders to justice. The report
embraces resolutions to the effect that the law
shall arm the President with sufficient power
to act upon the high seas, and that the seizure
Of General Walker, although technically ille-
gal, calls for no further censure than may pre-
vent it from being hereafter taken as a prece-
dent.
Mr.. Douglas, of Illinois, dissented from the
report, and Mr.. Foote, of Vermont, from so
much Of it as blamed Commodore Paulding.
The subject was made the special order for
February 9th.
Mr.. Davis, Of Miss, presented bis bill pro-
viding for the increase of the army, but after
some discussion between him and Mr.. Fessen-
den, Of Maine, the matter was postponed.
In the House, the Speaker appointed the
select committee on so much Of the Presidents
Message as relates to and recommends mate
rial aid to the construction of a railroad from
the Atlantic States to the Pacific coast
In the Senate, on the 26th, very decided
and energetic opposition to the proposed in
crease Of the army was evinced on both sides
of the House.
In the Senate, on the 2sth, an amendment
to Mr.. Davis Pacific Railroad Bill, providing
for northern route, was introduced.
In the Senate, February 1st, Gen. Houston
spoke in opposition to the proposed army bill !;
and Mr.. Wilson offered an amendment in the
nature of a substitute therefor, authorizing the
Executive to enroll 5000 volunteers for certain
enumerated purposes.
Tuesday, Fed. 3, was day of excitement
in Washington. The Lccompton Constitution,
accompanied by Message, was sent to Con-
gress by Mr.. Buchanan. The President says
a great delusion seems to prevail in the public
mind in regard to the state Of parties; that
the dividing line there is not between the two
political parties-both acknowledging the ex-
istence Of the Government-but between those
who are loyal to this Government, and those
who are endeavoring to destroy it by usurpa-
ton, and that their efforts would have been ac-
complished but for the U. S. troops.
The President further states that large
portion of the people of Kansas have been in
state Of actual rebellion ever since his inau-
guration, and that the Topeka government is
in direct conflict with that recognized by Con-
gress So far as regards slavery in Kansas,
the President asserts it exists in that Territory
by virtue of the Federal Constitution, and that
/ hahHao 10 40 bhth a oihft 0ldtC 40 ptOiKih VI
any other State. lie advocates the admission
of Kansas as the only means Of restoring peace
to that Territory.
In the House much excitement and confu-
sion prevailed. The Presidents Message on
Kansas affairs appears to have had the effect
Of somewhat alaying the excitement that has
existed on that important subject
A correspondent Of the N. Y Herald states
that there is beyond doubt a majority of the
eight in the House, in favor of the Lecompton
Constitution. Its passage in the Senate is not
seriously questioned but indeed much of the
opposition that was anticipated in that body,
thas been neutralized by the views Of the Pres
ident
The appropriation bill for the payment of
invalid and other pensioners was passed.
Information has reached the Government to
the effect that the treaty recently negotiated
with the Nicaragua Minister, is in every way
acceptable to the British Government.
The Republican organization for the defeat
Of the Lecompton Constitution is now COM
plete. Mr.. Blair, of Missouri, and Mr.. Grow,
Of Pennsylvania, have been selected as the
leading spirits. A caucus of Democrats, sup
posed to entertain the same sentiments as the
republicans with regard to the Lecompton Con-
stitution, held a meeting on Thursday for the
purpose of expressing their views on the SUBJ
ject.
The committee on territories will make re-
port to the House on the Utah difficulties in a
few days
The Legislatures of Now Jersey and Rhode
Island have instructed their Senators to oppose
the Lccompton Constitution.
Returns Of the election of 21st September
in Kansas have been received: For the Con-
stitution with slavery, 6143; without, 500.
On the 4th January, for the Lecompton Con-
stitution with slavery, 1888; without, "a.
Against Constitution 1926.
The reported result of that election is as fol-
lows Free State, Governor, Geo. w. Smith,
II VI D.l. c.