Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-01-13
THIRTY.FTTE CONGRESS.

!
JANUARY 4-Congress, after going home to
spend the holidays, resumed its sessions to-
day. In the Senate, Mr.. Davis introduced Il
joint resolution to define the authority of the
President under the Naval Retiring law. Mr..
Fitzpatrick called for the correspondence and
documents in regard to Central American al
fairs. Mr. Pugh had leave to introduce 4 bill
for the admission of Kansas, which was re-
ierred to the Territorial Committee. The bill
is offered rs a compromise, and provides for
admission under the Lecompton Constitution
but requires that the article relative TO Slavery
shall be submitted to a direct vote of the quail
iiied electors on the 7th of April-rcturns to
be made TO the Governor: the election TO be
conducted under the laws in force on the Ith
Nov. last. 1t provides further, that the peo-
pie shall have liberty at any time 10 call con-
vention to alter or amend their form Of gov
ernment. In the House, the resignation Of
Mr.. Banks was received. Mr. Clingman called
for information in regard to the seizure Of
Walker, which led to some debate-Several
members desiring the President TO cOmmuni-
cate information IL regard to the getting up Of
Walkers expeditions. The resolution was ii
naily adopted in form to cover this ground.
= committee was appointed to investigate the
Fort Smelling swindlc. Ar. Morrill, offered a
bill to punish P0lygamy in the Territories,
which, alter some merriment, was referred 10
the Judiciary Committee. y large number Of
other bills were introduced.
JAN 5.-in the Senate. aIr. Fcsscnden in
troduccd French Spoliation bill. which was
referred to select committee. Mr.. Gwn Of
fefcd resolution iBqGiring into the cxpedicn-
cy Of sending Minister to Japan. In the
House, the debate on the Message was re-
sumed, on resolutions referring its subjects to
the proper committees. Mr.. QUitma moved
| for select committee on that part relating to
the enforcement OF the neutrality laws, and
thercupon proceeded to speak in favor OF
Walker, the tillibustcr. Mr. Clancy Jones
wanted the matter 10 go to The Judiciary Com
| mttee, but was.careful not TO say nything par
| ticular for either side. Mr. keitt pitched in
TO the President and supported Walker. Mr..
! Stephens conCurred with Nr. Qutman. Mr..
Grow was glad TO see the other side ready TO
restrain the eGcroachments of executive pow
er. and asked that the rule should be applied
to Kansas. Nr. Lovejoy spoke severely of the
! character and dOings Of Walker Mr.. Stan
ton justified the President. Before concluding
the debate, the House adjourned.
JAN. 6.-In the Senate there was some de-
/ bate on Mr.. Crittcudeu's resolution in favor of
/ increasing the duties on imports, and snbstitu-
/ ting home for foreign valuation. MT. Fitch
moved an amendment to fax all bank notes.
/ with 4 discrimination against those Of small
| denominations. The resolution and amend
ment were laid on the table. In the House,
/ resolutions were adopted, calling for official
/ correspondence with Paraguay, New-Granada
and Brazil In Committee of the Whole, Mr..
I
! dent, IN the matter of the arrest Of Walker,
! and spoke in severe dcnuDciaiions on the
/ course Of the eminent flIibuster. Mr. Bliss
| spoke against the Drcd Scott decision. Mr..
| liaskin followed on the Nicaragua business,
! taking ground with Mr.. Sicklcs, and denoun-
| ced Walker. nr. II. spoke highly Of Com.
| Pauiiing- and then went in to advocate Ma
| tional filiibustcring operation OF Cuba. Mr..
| Stephens REPLIED. coHdemning Walkers
/ rest as a great outrage. Mr.. Gjlmcr dcprcca-
! ted the criticisms passed upon Commodore
! Paulding, and wished to see the documents
/ before condcming him.
JAN. In the Senate, after some rcsolu-
! tionS calling for correspondence and informa-
| tion, the Presidents reply 10 the call for in
! formation as to the capture of Walker was re-
| ceived. The President thinks Com Pauliing
! committed an error, but his motives we're pa
| trIotic. Nicaragua alone has the right to COM
/ plain. and as she received substantial benefit
! there is no probability Of her doing so. i de-
! bate followed, in which Nessrs. Seward Doc
! little and Pearcc sustained the Presidents
! views while Iessrs. Davis, Cr,Ienden, Brown,
| Pugh, Toombs and Douglas took the opposite
| gronnd. The message WAS referred 10 the
| Foreign Relations Committee. In the House.
| Mr.. Thayer Of Mass spoke upon Central A
merican affairs, going for the Americanization
! OF Nicaragua, not by swords and rifles. bat by
| subsoii plows and the implements OF peaceful
emigration. Mr. Adrian Of \. J . was in favor
| of such amendments TO the neutrality laws as
! would prevent Walker expeditions in the fr-
| ture. Nr. u NaShburn Of Maine spoke on pop
| ular sovereignty, showing the Inconsistencies
OF the President and the Democratic leaders on
the subject. The House adjourned to Monday.
! The Democratic State Convention of Indi-
ana, while reafiirmng the principles of the
Cincinnati platform, has resolved, By vote
| of more than three to one, that State Consti-
! tutionS shouid he submitted to the people
and that no Territory should become 4 State
untila fair expression OF the Will Of the citi-
zcns respecting their organic law shall have
| henn LII af fl,c ha lInt-h Tie n..r,,nc-n.ir