Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1858-06-05
Congressional. Ais'
WASHINGTON, Nav %,

asserting that the government should have
sunk the British ships, or seizing them,
brought their officers here and hanged them
MIR. Crttenden, while believing that Eng
land would make ample apology, said that
English cannon should not be permitted to
stop our SHIPS. He would not dispute with
England about the abstract right Of search
let her found the claim on what prerogative
or supposed right she may; but the moment
she makes an aggression on our nation and
honor, will, said Mr.. G., fight her upon the
fact, with war for the argument.
| HoUsE.-Mr. Grow, of Pa, asked, but did
not obtain leave to offer resolution that
when Congress adjourns on the 7th of June,
it be till the 4th of November.
Business relating to the District of Col
umbia was then taken up. Several bills were
passed, including those for regulating the
municipal elections in Washington, organiz-
ing paid fire department in Washington and
Georgetown, and appropriating $4,000 for
the purchase of steam fire engines, and the
fire and police telegraph.
The Ohio contested election case was then
taken up.
A resolution offered by Mr.. Marshall, of
Kentucky, for the postponement of the ques-
ton till the first Monday in Dec, was rejec-
ted by 26 majority.
! A resolution of Mr. Gilman, of N. G., mem.
ber of the Committee on declaring that Mr..
Campbell was entitled to the seat was reiec-
ted by 25 majority.
A resolution of Mr.. Larmer, also of the
Committee, that Vallandingham, is entitled
to the seat, was adopted by majority.
A resolution by Mr.. Harris, declaring the
seat vacant as just amended by Mr. Lamar's
proposition, was agreed to by majority.
The House, on motion of j. Clancy Jones
acted on the Senate amendment to the Ex.
ecutive, Judicial and Legislative Appropria-
| ton Bill.
WAsHINGroN, May 2G.
SENATE.-Aftcr some unimportant bust
ness. the Senate passed the bill for the i'm
provement of the harbor of Chicago by 26
against 1.-THE vote being test as to in
ternal improvements numerous other cst-
mates for the maintenance from decay of
public works will follow. The nays were
Messrs. Brown, Clay, Clingman, Davis, Fitch,
Hammond, Houston. Hunter, Ivcison, John
son, Mallory, Mason, Polk, Reed, Slidell,
looms and Wright
Absentees.-Messrs Bayard Bell, Gamer
on, Clark, Green, Gwin, Hale, Hayne, Hen
derson, johnson of Arkansas, Pearce, Rice,
Sumner, Sebastian and Thompson, of KY.
Paired.-Messrs. Pugh and Yulee, and
Messrs. Dixon and Fitzpatrick.
The bill for the improvement Of the mouth
Of the Milwaukee river was passed.
The bill for the improvement OF Sheboygan
harbor, was taken up, but laid aside for the
consideration of the SIS 900, 900 loan BILL
Mr.. Bell, of Tenn, had the floor and spoke
nearly all day on the Tariff question.
Mr.. Simmons amendment, providing for a
home valuation of imports, was lost by 25
against II.
On motion of Mr.. Hunter, of Va, the
warrants were made thousands of dollars in
stead of hundreds.
The bill was finally passed 26 against IA.
Adjourned,
HoUsE.-The House is engaged in voting
to concur in the recommendation Of the
Committee Of the Whole on tie State of the
Union concerning the Senate amendment to
the Executive, Judicial and Legislative Ap-
preparation Bill.
The House by IL majority struck out the
enacting clause of the fortilication bill, thus
killing it.
Mr. J. G. Jones from the Committee on
Ways AMI Means, reported bill making ap-
preparations to defray the expenses Of COL
lectng the revenue from customers, and also
bill authorizing loan of SIS, 100000.
The report of the Select Committee in the
Ft. Smelling case was announced as the spe-
cial order.
Mr.. Davis of Indiana moved its postpone
ment till the second Tuesday of December
next. They were near the close of the ses-
sion, he said, and this subject would occupy
two days. There was much business yet to
be transacted, and he thought the consdera-
ton of this subject could bc postponed with.
out injustice to the Secretary of War.
Mr.. Faulkner of Va. said that justice to
the Secretary of War required that it should
be acted on now. For one, he was unwilling
to consent to further delay, and was ready to
meet the question.
Mr.. Phelps of Mo. remarked that post
ponement would be unjust. The Secretary
had been arraigncd on grave charges, and
should now be tried on the allegations.
1t was the duty Of the House to investigate
the matter and make up their judgment
either by acquitting or condemning the ac
cuscd. lie was the accused-he was anxious
to leave the city at the time fixed for the ad
jounment, but was willing to extend the
: time, if necessary in order to transact the
public business.
The motion of Mr.. Davis was rejected
167 against 26.
The subject was then postponed unit
Tue day.
The House then went into committee, Mr.
Ticklcs Chairman on the naval appropriation
bill
Mr. J. CLANCY Jones said this appropria
ton was for S3l 10000 being a reduction
of half million the original estimates.
Mr.. Grow, of Pa, condemned the seizins
on every pretext for permanently increasing
the army and navy; we wrested the tradcn1
from the proud mistress Of the seas in the
last war, and therefore, would not trcmble
before British power. Now as then, com
mercial vessels could be converted into means
of defence on shore we fear not the com
bined nations of the world, for as was sad
by the late distinguished Mssouran an en-
emy landing on our shores would he a fugi
tive, prisoner or corpse, He believed that
the acts of the British cruisers, would be dis
avowed and disowr ed, if they are not, let u:
prepare to vindcate the honor OF our country
and the integrity of our flag.
Mr.. Covode of Pa, replying to Mr.. Grow
denied that our navy compared as favorably
with that of Great Britain now as it did il
the last war, and referred to the figures
showing great disparity. The British
, have in fact the control of the seas. We ar,
not able to cope with her steam vessels will
our insignificant force. When we fight the
British it must be on our shores.
2 Mr.. Winslow, Of n. c., showed that W,
have fewer vessels than in 1912, notwith
standing our commerce has increased from
49,, 600 to 100000 tons.
Mr. Phillips replied to Mr.. Grow, express
ing regret that opposition to the appropria
tions should come from member represent
= ing State having at stake so much to b.
protected by the navy.
Mr.. Washburne of Maine, referring to tn
I, appropriation cf 81, $4,000 for the construc
ton OF steam sloops OF war, heretofore autbo