Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-06-03
rHIRTT-FIFTH CONGRESS.
WAsHINGToN, Tuesday, June l,

SENATE.
Mr.. Mason, from the Committee on Foreign
| Affairs, reported bill authorizing the Execu
tive to employ force to protect the lights of
our citizens from outrages by foreign nations,
having especial reference to Central and South
America. This is the bill recently introduc
| by Mr.. Douglas, slightly altaed.
Mr.. Seward of New York expressed strong
disapprobation of the measure He was un-
willing to involve the country in war with
all the nations of America, south of our own.
The bill was then laid aside, and the civil
| appropriation bill taken up and discussed.
MI. Seward Of New York, moved an
amendment that the public lands in kanzcs
shall not be offered al public sale until the
expiration of one year from the LIST OF No.
vember next, which was lost-l7 to 90.
The bill was debated at great length by the
| friends of internal improvements
Mr.. Seward of N. Y, made powerful ap-
| peal for the Western interests.
After further debate, without action, the
Senate adjourned
HOUSE.
The Speaker announced as the Special
| Committee on the memorial of American Ar
| lists, Mr.. Marshall of Kentucky. Mr.. Keitt of
| South Carolina, Mr.. Taylor of New York
Mr.. Morris of Pennsylvania, and Mr.. Pendle-
ton of Ohio.
The House then passed the Indian Def
cheney Bill, and the three Regiment Voun-
teer appropriation Bill, the latter by l0I
against &c.
The House concurred in the report of the
Conference Committee on the disagreement
of both Houses to the Executive Judicial and
Legislative Bill.
The House then proceeded to the cansider-
alton of the Fort Smelling Report
Mr.. Morrill, of Vermont spoke of the great
wrong done IN the sale of the reservation.
Mr.. Faulkner of Virginia expressed his
condemnation of the tone, temper, and spirit
of the report of the majority of the Commit
tee.
Mr.. Dawes of Massachusetts, having read
the reports and evidence, had come to the
conclusion to support the condemnatory reso-
lutlons OF the committee and made very
able speech in condemnation of the fraud.
Mr.. Bishop OF Conn coptondsA that Score.
tary Floyd's course was i'll accordance with
law, and therefore not void, as the committee
asserts.
Mr.. Grow of Pennsylvania said the Secre-
tary had no authority to sell any military re-
servation unless he had properly ascertained
1t to be useless for defensive purposes. He
had violated the laws of Congress, and tramp
sanction of the President.
Mr.. Phelps of Missouri replied, saying the
law gives the Secretary authority to dispose of
military reservations by private or public sale.
Mr.. Cavannagh of Miss. defended the sale
Of Fort Smelling.
The debate was further continued, when
the House adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Wednesday, June 2.
HOUSE.
The Honse resumed the consideration of
the Fort Smelling report.
Mr.. Clark of New York, differed from the
conclusions of both the majority and minority
reports. There was not the slightest ground.
for impeaching the personal or official integri-
ty of the Secretary of War, but the manage
ment of the sale was injudicous and improp.
er 1t was possible that there was an entire
want of power for the sale, and it was proba-
bly, voidable because of the circumstances at
tending it.