Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-02-17
THIRTY-FIFFH CONGRESS-.


THIRTY-FIFTH CONGRESS-.
FEBRUARY S.-The House, after severe
struggle, referred the Presidents Kansas Mes
sage, with the Lecompton Consultation, to
Select Committee, whereof Col. L. l.. Harrls
(Dem. of Illinois will be Chairman, by the
close vote of lis to Ill. The motion of Mr..
Stephens, which had priority, TO refer to the
Standing Committee on Territories, was de-
feated by barely ono maiority-Yeas ll3, Nays
ia. So the whole question of admitting Kan
sas under the Lecompton Constitution goes to
q Select Committee, instructed to make
thorough Investigation. Mr.. kett then made
an ample apology to the House for his attack
on Mr.. Grow during the preceding sitting,
and Mr.. Grow expressed regret that necessity
had constrained him TO engage in personal
collision on that floor; when the subject was
dropped, and the House adjourned. In Senate.
Mr. Fessenden made long and strong speech
in behalf OF Free Kansas. eliciting explanatory
remarks from Messrs. Mason, Seward, Q. e.
Clay and JEFF. Davis. The Lecompton Mes
sage and Constitution were then referred to
the Standing Committee on Territories (sure
for Lecompton) by six majority. Adjourned.
FEBRUARY 10.-The Senate refused to take
ZIP Mr. Douglass resolution of inquiry into
Kansas affairs by a vote of "a to %. While
Mr.. Douglas was proceeding % give the reasons
fer its Immediate consideration, he was CON
|
who seemed desiroUs OF cowing him down,
but only succeeded in firing his temper. y
discussion followed upon the Army bill, which
was advocated by MeSsrs. Mason. Davis and
Crittenden, and opposed by Mr. Hale. The
House was occupied during its whole sitting
| in considering the bill extending tho provis-
| ions of the steamboat law Of 1852, to ferry
and ug-boats, and imposing additional res
| trictions and penalties.
/ FEBRUARY 1l.-The Senate passed, by the
| close vote Of 26 to 25, that section of the
Army bill which proposes to add two COM
| panies to each of the present regiments. The
| increase was limited to two years. which Mr.
Hale considered sheer illusion. Resolutions
making appropriations for printing the opin-
| ions Of the Supreme Court in the Dred Scott
| case were reported and passed. An amend
ment thereto 10 the effect that in printing the
| opinions the Senate did not mean to iudorse
the doctrines which they advanced was voted
down, only the Republicans supporting it. In
the House, Mr.. Stanton of Ohio reported a
question which had been asked Mr.. J. w. VOL
colt by the Lawrence & Stone Investigating
Committee, with Mr.. WoIcott's answer, which
the Committee deem evasiye and unsatisfacto-
ry. They therefore demand warrant to
| bring Mr.. W. before the House, as in con-
tempt of its authority. This, after adesultory
debate, was agreed to, and Mr.. WolcOtt will
be arraigned this morning. The Special Com
mittee on the Kansas message WAS announced
by the Speaker. 1t consists of Harris, of H.,
Stephens of Ga, Morrill, of Vt, Letchcr OF
Va, Wade of o., Quitman of Miss, Winslow
of y. c., Bennett Of n. Y, Walbridge of Mich,
Burlington of Mass, Russell of n. Y, White
OF Pa. Adrain of n. j., Anderson of Mo-, and
Stevenson of Ky.-S Lecomptonites, and
Anti-Lecomptonites contrary to usual parlia.
mentary custom.
FEBRUARY 12.-The Senate was not in ses-
sion to-day. In the House, Mr.. Wolcott wa:
| l,rn,, ,,cIt Co.
swering question put to him by the Tariff in
yestigating committee. Pleading the Hines:
of his counsel, Mr.. Reyerdy Johnson, Mr.. W ol
colt asked to be allowed time till Monday Il
consider his answer. After some discus ion, hi
/ request was granted. Two reports from tn,
Committee on Elections in the of Mr.
/ Brooks, who contests the seat of Mr.. Winte
Davis of Baltimore. were received. The ma
| jority of the committee consider ii ineXpedien
to grant the contestants PRAYER for a commit
t tee. since the authorities of Baltimore are to,
deeply implicated in the frauds charged to eX
! tend security to Witnesses; while the minori
ty propose an examination by the COMMITTEES
1 on elections. Hr. Hoard Of New York asllet
: leave to offer resolution for the appointment
of Il committee TO inquire whether there hat
: been any attempts on the part Of the EXecu
tive to influence the action of the House. Oh
1 lection to its reception was made. Mr.. Hoar,
n read dispatch published in Thursdays -Tri
: bune,' with reference to Mr.. Burns of Ohio
+ and extracts, bearing on the general subject
a from Washington letters in the Richmond pa
S pers. Mr.. Burns denied the charges concern
: ing himself. Mr.. Warren of Arkansas wa
e sure that no gentleman on his (tlie Democr,
t tic) side of the House could be influenced b.
bribcs of any kind. After heated discussion
: the House voted that Mr.. Hoard's reSolutio
C did not cover question of privilege. It,there
: fore, lies on the table. Having performed thi
i courageous act, the House eni into commit
: tee on the private calender.
S