Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-02-24
Ts1pTy.FIFTH CONGRESS-.

FEBRUARY I5.-In Congress the Senate TOOK
I'D the case of the bogus Indiana Senators, :
upon motion of Mr.. Hamlin, who urged the
Importance of deciding the question before
the admission of new States. Messrs. Ben
ianin and Toombs argued in favor of the res
oIution of the Committee on Elections, direc-
ting more testimony to be taken, and Messrs..
ColIamer Simmons and Trumbull in opposi-
tion. On motion of Mr.. Hunter, the subject |
was postponed until to-day. Mr.. Seward pre-
sented memorial from the Commissioners of
Emigration of Newly York, complaining of the |
abuses of females on shipboard, and gave no |
tice that he should soon introduce a remedial
bill. He also gave notice of his intention to
introduce a bill to reorganize the United States
Courts, SO as to make the administration of
justice more speedy and efficient, and to give
the States their fair representation in the Fed
eral Judiciary. Mr.. Wilson introduced a res
olution calling for the Presidents instructions
to our new Minister TO Brazil, whose flaming
Pro-Slavery address has been published. Mr..
Houston presented resolutions from the Le-
gislature of Texas, praying for an investiga-
ton into the case of Judge Watrous. The
House was asked, but refused, to suspend the
| rules to enable Mr.. Warren of Arkansas to in
troduce a resolution confining the debate in
| Committe of the Whole strictly 10 the subject
pending, and setting apart three evenings
week for general discussion. A resolution
| appropriating S35, 900 to meet the expenses of
the several Investigating Committees, vas
passed. Mr.. Campbell asked, but failed to
obtain leave to introduce bill for the pur-
chase of British North America and Canada.
Mr.. Wolcott, the contumacious witness, pre-
| sented a written statement, stating that he
had been legally advised not to criminate him.
self, and should answer no questions, answers
to which might have that effect. Mr.. Stanton
thought that the Committee had right to
know what became of SOS, ,000 that passed in.
to Mr.. Wolcott's hands, and moved his COM
mitment to Jail until he should be willing to
answer call legal and proper questions" The
motion passed, and Mr.. Wolcott was transfer
red to the custody of the Marshal of the Dis
trct. The Committee on Foreign Relations
was instructed to inquire into expedlency of
repeating the Reciprocity Treaty with Great
Britain.
FEBRUARY 16.-In Congress the Senate a.
) dopted the joint resolution for the reception
of the Turkish Vice-Admiral. Mr.. Trumbulps IS
, amendment to the resolution providing for the
taking of testimony in the case of the bogus
Indiana Senator'S was rejected, and the resou-
: tion, after having been amended by the inser-
ton of provision limiting the time allowed
to ninety days, was adopted. The votes of
Messrs. Fitch and Bright for Lecompton and
| Mr. Wilson
offered an amendment to the Army bill, pro-
vidng for the employment of volunteers in
!. Utah, and Mr.. Hunter gave notice that he
should move a substitute. Mr.. Houston pre-
scnted resolution instructing the Committee
on Foreign Relations to inquire into the expe-
diency of our Governments assuming pro-
| tectorate over Central America and Mexico.
After an executive session the Senate adjourn
ed. The House was occupied all day with
discussing the case of Mr.. Henry Winter Davis
of Baltimore He will probably keep his seat.
FEBRUARY 17.-In Congress the Anti-Le-
compton resolutions of the Michigan Legis-
lature were presented to the Senate by Mr.
Chandler. Mr.. Houston's resolution relative
to Z protectorate over Central America and
Mexico was laid the table, after some dis
, cussion. The Army bill was then taken up
Mr.. johnson of Tennessee submitted substi
: tute, which Mr.. Wilson accepted in place O
his own amendment, providing for the enroll
u ment OF four thousand volunteers, to serve
: only during the present troubles. Mr.. Chan
: dler moved to strike out the fourth section o.
the original bill, relative to the method of pro
> motion. Without taking action upon the mat
ter the Senate adjourned. The House, after
: passing a resolution declaring it inexpedien
to grant the prayer of the contestant of Mr.
= Winter Davis's seat for Special Committee
to take testimony, went into Committee O
the Whole on the Indian Appropriation bill
= Mr.. Atkins of Tennessee made speech il
favor of the admission of Kansas into tht
: Union under the Lecompton Constitution
{ and Mr.. Lovejoy of Illinois in Opposition
$ thereto. The Committee then rose and tn,
> House adjourned.
1t FEBRUARY 1S.-In Congressa bill for the ad
mission of Kansas under the Lecompton Con
. stitution reported to the Senate by Mr.
Il Green of Missouri in the name of the major
0 ity of the Committee on Territories. Th'
: Senate Committee on Territories submitted
II three reports: Lecompton report by tn,
majority, Messrs. Green, Jones, Sebastian ant
s Fitzpatrick a minority report by Messrs. Col
s. lamer and Wade, and third report by Judg,
: Douglas. The Army bill was then taken up
# and the fourth section stricken out by on,
N majority. An amendment was adopted, t.
v the effect that reduction at the end of tw,
n years should not operate on any officer at thi
e. date. Mr.. Iverson expressed low opinion
m of volunteers. who would he in his indpment