The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-09
The News.

The News.
The Kansas question occupied the attention of
both houses of Congress yesterday. In the Senate
Mr.. Fessenden, of Maine, delivered a speech in op
position to the Presidents special message saying
that be opposed to forcing slavery on the people
OF Kansas and that he would agitate the subject
long as a single hope remained that slavery might
be driven from the Territory which stolen and
robbed from freedom. In reply TO q remark that Mr..
Davis, of Mississippi, entered General Pierces cabi
net disunion man, that Senator replied that it
was false, and that his sentiments had been per
yerted. AT the conclusion Of the discussion Mr..
Wilson's proposition TO send for persons and papers,
and TO examine into all the facts relative to the
adoption Of che Lecompton constitution,
jected ~ s,s majority. Messrs. Douglas, Stew
Az arc Broderick voting with the opponents of
the administration. The Kansas message was
then refelred TO the Committee on Territories.
Pending the effort Of Mr.. Douglas 10 have his reso-
luton calling the President for information re-
garding Kansas affairs taken up, the Senate ad-
journed.
The House was crowded with spectators yester-
day TO witness the first decisive contest in that body
on the Lecompton constitution. In accordance with
previous understanding, the voting on the question
Of the reference of the constitution and accompany
ing dos uments proceeded with without delay.
The motion TO refer to the Territorial Committee
disagreed 10 by a vote Of lis against ia The ques-
ton on the amendment Of Mr.. Harris referring the
docu nents to a select committee of fifteen, then
taken and the amendment carried by three
iority-two hundred and twenty-five members voting,
nine only being absent. synopsis of the vote may
be found in an article in the editorial columns
menting upon the action OF the House upon this i'm
rortant question The Kansas affair being disposed
Of Mr.. Ket made an apology for violating the deco
rum of the House on Saturday morning. He said he
was the aggressor on that occasion and while re-
GREETING the offence, assumed whatever response
bility attached 10 il. Mr.. Grow also spologzed for
his share in the fracas, and the House forthwith
adjourned.
mass meeting of opponents of the Lecomp
ton consultation held in Philadelphia last
ing. series of resolutions expressive of the
OF the meeting was adopted, and exSecretary Stan
ton delivered speech, report Of which we give
elsewhere.
Nothing of importance occurred In the State
Senate yesterday. Among the bills reported in the
Assembly was one restraining the New York and
Brooklyn banks from acting savings banks
bill introduced to prohibit the reception Of pre-
sents by the Metropolitan police officers and Commits
sionen, and joint resolution offered directing
an investigation Of the reports that the patromen
had been taxed to purchase homestead for Com.
missioner Nye. A committee Of FIVE was appointed
~ inquire into certain charges made in the New
York Tribune with reference TO the arrangements
entered into TO secure the election Of Speaker
Avord.
We have details Of news from Rio Janelro 10 the
oath OF December, and from the river Platte to the
9Th Of the same month. Mr. Meade our new Minis.
ter TO Brazil, was presented to the Emperor on the
9TH. His address and the reply will he found in
another column. From the river Platte the news is
OF interest Great fears Of revolution existed
in Monteyideo. In Buenos Ayres matters were
going peaoeably and prosperously. Rosas has
asked for the return Of his confscated property.
The staie Of affairs In Paraguay is said TO be very un.
satisfactory, and there was every probability Of a
war between that country and Brazil. Senior Paran-
hos the Brazilian Envoy, had been successful in his
negotiations with the Argentine Confederation and
was TO proceed to Ascuncion, the capital Of
Paraguay. The point in dispute between the two
countries involves the right of the back provinces
OF Brazil 10 q fuvial intercourse through the Para
guam territory 10 the II is stated that great
disorder exists in Paraguay, and robberies are fire.
guent; even the President had been robbel.
Inc board OF Aluerfnen met yesterday The
Mayor sent in a communication vetoing resolution
authorizing the preliminary steps for the purchase
OF LOT Of land for the of Hose Company No. 4.
lie considers that the present premises Of the com.
psny are sufficiently commodous, and moreover
that the existing condition Of the treasury will not
justify the proposed expenditure letter was pre-
scented from the Police Commissioners stating that
the expense incurred in litigAting the Police law
amounted TO fll $780, exclusive Of attorneys fees
The committee reported the tax levy without amend
ment, and 1t was laid over. The committee on the
Wards Island purchase was directed TO report on
Monday next An appropriation Of 81 500 for the
celebration Of Washingtons birthday was agreed TO-
The Standing Committee on Frauds met again
Yesterday and continued their Investigations We
give report Of the testimony which isvery interest.
ing though the evidence Is anything but satisfac.
tory 30 far ~ il demonstrates beyond all question
the fact that our municipal financial affairs in
neXncablo confusion, and also that our docile tax
payers have been neeced bya set Of swindlers com.
pared with whom mock auctoneers and policy deal.
crs are honest men
The Committee on Sewers Of The Board u Cyan.