The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1858-02-06

million OF dollars. lie advocated paying
for what was already done and stopping the
drain on the treasury. Mr.. Letcher showed
that the work had been contracted for by
the last two Congresses, and was in favor
of having the contracts finished, but thought
ti,e present congress should take warning
by the past, and adopt n different policy.
Mr.. Phelps and others made speeches, after
which the committee rose, and the house
adjourned to Monday.
NoHdGy, FeJ. 1st.-In the Senate Mr..
Doo.ittle presented the petition OF 80 "citi-
zeus Of the l. s." praying the adoption OF
measures for the purchase OF Cuba. After
some other preliminary business, the con-
sideratioH of the army bill was resumed.
Mr.. Houston spoke against it, arguing
against the necessity Of SO large standing
army in time of peace. st one o'clock the
Pacific Railroad bill-thc special der
was taken up, but, after some discussion
laid over, and the army bill resumed. Mr..
Wilson made a speech, IN the course OF
which be gave notice Of substitute, pro-
j
authorize the calling out of volunteers not
TO exceed 5000, to meet any exigency that
might arise. The further consideration of
the bill was then again postponed. Mr..
Douglas moved that the Senate take up the
bill providing for the admission Of Mime
sofa into the Union, saying that he was in
favor Of the Pacific Railroad bill, but tho't
the question Of allowing Senators from that
State TO seats ought to take precedence Of
other business. The Pacific Railroad was a
question in which those gentlemen were
deeply interested. Mr.. Gwin urged the i'm
mediate consideration Of the Pacific r. l..
Ji,l. Mr. Crittenden and Mr.. Seward urged
/ taking up the Minnesota bill. Mr.. Mason
! said there might DC circumstances when it
would be found necessary for the Southern
States in order TO determine where they
stand in the Union to take up the Minnesota
and Kansas question together. Mr.. Hale
said there had never been proposition that
so seriously threatened the disruption OF the
Union as that of the Senator of Virginia.
1t is contrary to the genius Of our institu
lions. Mr.. CrIttenden opposed the cOnnec-
ton 0! the two subjects, and made an elo-
qucnt Union speech, elcitiEg applause from
the gallery, and without taking up the quss-
ton, the Senate adjourned.
In the House. the printing deficiency bill
vas resumed in committee OF the whole and
discussed at some length, but without com
ing to vote. Mr.. Lane presented the state
constitution OF Oregon, which was referred
to the committee on territories. Mr.. Parrot,
delegate from Kansas, asked leave to pre-
sent certain joint resolutions of the Kansas
legislature. Impatient ordinations, What
are they? Read! Read y Much confusion:
but finally the resolutions were read
The resolutions we have noticed heretofore
They strongly censure the action of the
the Leco;npton convention and the obi
Gus and oppressive party machinery of
law under which the delegation was assem-
bled, saying that the convention repudiated
and crushed out the distinctive principle of
the Kansas. Nebraska act IN not leaving the
people free to legisate on the subject Of
but at every stage had been prevented from
SO doing, and strongly protested against adj
mission into tie Union under the Lec0mpl-
on constitution as violating the rights OF
eighteen-twentieths Of the people OF the Ter
ritorv1 The resolutions were laid on the
table and ordered to be printed. House ad
journed.
FcJ. I'm the Senate the consideration
Of the army bill was resumed, and in the
midst OF the debate, message was received
from the President; upon Kansas affairs,
which was read. I'VE give 4 full synopsis
Of it in another coumu.) After the reading
Mr. Bisler moved its printing and reference
TO the committee on territories. Mr.. Trum-
bull denounced the message as perverted
and incorrect history of Kansas affairs from
beginning 20 end. Mr.. Douglas would not
row go into an argument relative to tie
questions raised by the Presidents Message.
His opinions had been clearly expressed on
previous occasions. He thought the better
course would be to refer the Message to the
Committee on Territories. Hoping that
course would be adopted, he asked leave to
present remonstrance signed by certain
gentlemen, as the Governor and State off
GERS Of Kansas, against the reception Of that
State into the Union under the Lecompton
Constitution, which he moved be referred to
the Committee on Territories and printed.
Mr.. Tombs expressed lis hearty approval Of
the Message. Adjourned.
The House spent several hours on the
printing deficiency bill. and finally voted it
down-135 TO e..
The Presidents Kansas message was then
received and read. Mr.. Stevens moved its
reference to the Committee on Territories,
and as the hour was late, thought it better
to adjourn.
Mr. Harris Of H., moved to adjourn-lost
1o5 to 100. The friends Of Lecompton gen.
orally voted in the affirmative. After
struggle for the floor, Mr.. Hughes moved
reference to select Committee of Is. Mr..
Bococl moved an djournment-negatived
by seven majority Some sharp words &C.
Cured between Mr.. Hughes and Mr.. Har-
ris, of H. Mr., Hughes made speech ful
ly ndorsing the message.
Mr.. Harris, of ILL.,, offered resolution that
the message Of the President and the Le-
compton Constitution be referred TO select
committe ofthirteen, to be appointed by the
Speaker, to inquire into all the facts con-
nected with the said Constitution, and the
laws, if any under which the Convention
was held, and ifso, whether the provisions
of the laws were complied with also whe-
Their said Constitution provides for a repub-