Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-02-12
CONGRESSIONAL.
Thirty.fifth Cengress-First Sessteu,

In THE SENATE yesterday, the discussion Of
the Army Bill was continued after our report
closed, the question being on the amendment CT
Mr.. Toombs to strike out the frst section.
The amendment was advocated by Mr.. Hous
ton and Mr.. Toombs. and opposed by Mr.. Davis.
vote was finally had and the amendment was
not agreed to-yeas 25, nays 26-as follows:
YsAs0Messrs. Rel, Chandler, ColIamer, Crit
tenden, Dixon. Doollttle: Durkee Fessenden, Foot
Johnson Of Tennessee s KinE Pea1ce, burR o sim
mons; SUMNER Toombs. Trumbuil. Wade. and Will
r. NAYsaMessrs, Allen. Bayard. Biggs. Bigler.
BBrlsht, BroderIek, Brown, Cameron. Clay, laws.
Mallory. Mason. Polk. Sebastian. Seward, Si1deIi,
lee-26.
adding proviso that after two wears. sooner
IL the exigences will permit, the President shall
reduce the military establishment. SO not to
exceed the number of companies now authorized
by existing laws; which was agreed to-
The second section was then stricken out
Mr.. Stuart moved to strike out the fourth sec
ton which provides that hereafter regular pro-
motions to vacancies shall be by regiments or
corps, instead of by arms of service, as now reg
ulafed
Without taking the question the Senate ad-
journed until Monday next
lN THE HOUSE,, after or report closed, the bill
providing for greater security for the lives of pas
sengers on steamboats, was referred to the Com.
mittee Of the Whole-yeas lI3 nays 7s
Mr.. Stanton, Of Ohio, from the select commit
e apr ointed TO investigate the alleged erpendi-
iure OF money bv Lawrence Stone, 4 Co, to in
huence the Legislation of Cong ress. submitted
report which alleges that John w. Wolcott Of
Boston, had refused to answer the Que>tinn-
Did receive from the firm Of Lawrence
Stone Co, some time in March last sum Of
securities or money Of the amount Of $50 OUO-
more or lesst
His reply was. that ne had received no money
from Lawrence, Stone & Co for the purpose Of
influencing the action or vote of members of Con
gress, either directly or indirectly. He thought
1t beyond the power of Congress to require him
To answer whether he had received the snm
named for any other purpose than that of H. flu
encng the action Of members and said that be
Was sustained in this opinion by bis counsel
M-ssrs. Reverdy Johnson and James M. Keith
The committee urged that they had heretofore
had evidence Of the payment to Mr. Wolcott by
Lawrence, stone Co, of the sum Of SIS ODO in
TWO instalnrnts; and, in order TO know for wha
this money was expended, that they mig ht them
selves Judge whether II was TO Influence the
action OF members Of Congress, they submitted
the following resolution:
Rpsotced That the Speaker be, and he is here
by, authorized and required 10 issue his warrant
to the Sergeant at Arms of this House. command
ing him TO arrest the said John W. WolcOtt
whereSOever he NAV be found. aud have his BODY
at the bar of the House forthwith, to answer as
for a contempt i'm refusing TO ans wer proper and
competent question propounded to him by a p
let committee OF this House In pursuance of the
authority conferred by the House upon said COM
mttee
After conside abe deba's as to the power of Il e
House to compel the witness to answer, and as TO
whether the refusal of the witness was really
contempt. the resolution was adopted andstbe
House adjourned. -