Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-02-19
CONGR ESSIONAL. "
rhiPty.fifth Csusress-FiPst Sessjsu.

In THE SRSATE, yesterday, when our report
closed, the bill to increase the military establish
ment OF the United States, was under consid.
eratton and the fourth section, providing that
regimental grades of commi ssioned officers shall
be by regiments OF corps, instead Of by arms Of
service, as now regulated, was stricken out, by
the following vote:
YeAs-Messrs. Allen. Veil, Cameron, Chander,
Eollamer. CIlttenden, Dixon. Doottle. ,Durkee.
Eessenden, Foot, Foster, Gwin, Hale, Houston,
son. of New Jersey, Toombs. Wade, and Wilson
Brown, Clay, Evans, Fitch, Green. Bsmiin. Ham
mond, Harlan, Iverson, Johnson of Arkansas, John
Wright-25.
The discussion on the bill and the various
substitutes and amendments, was continued un-
til ntarly S O'Clock, when. without taking the
question, the Senate ad journed.
In THE HOUSE, we closed our report while Mr..
Shorter was speaking on the admission Of Kan
sas. He gave the subject a thorough review,
and showed in a clear and forcible manner the
entire Justice and proPriety Of admitting Kansas
unoer the Lecompton constitution. A. for civil
war growing out Of the measure, he regarded
such an opinion certainly erroneous; but said
That the refusal on the part Of Congress to accept
the I.ecomptOn constitution would more probably
lead to civil strife, the matter would then con-
tnue to agitate the people Of the country He
defended at length the rights Of the Sonth, and
tcouAco tue OlspOSltlOn dIeQeQ 10 Oe manifested
by portion Of the members Of the House to re-
duce her TO a condition Of inequality on account
OF her peculiar institutions.
Mr.. Tompkins, Of Ohio, opposed the Lecomp-
ton constitution for the paramount reason that IL
established slavery In Kansas. He bad opposed
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise but
since that repeal he felt free from all obligation
into the Union
Mr.. Clemens, Of Va, followed Mr.. r., and
urged the claims Of the Lecompton constitution
Congress, ne said, was bound to admit Kansas
under It, He compared it with the Topeka con-
stltution, and characterized the latter as faudu-
lent and illegal. He applauded the course pur-
sued by the Administration, and appealed to the
democracy TO sustain the President in the posi-
Mr.. Burroughs, Of NJ ", obtained the floor.
when tine Committee rose, and shortly after the
House adjourned.
Proceedings Of To-day.
In THE SENATE, to-day, the consideration of
the Army bill was postponed until Tuesday next.
The private calender was then taken up, and
nothing Of public interest transpired up to the
time the Stars report closed.
In THE HOUSE,, to-day, Mr.. Hoard, ofN Y,
arose to question of privilege, and sent letter
to the Clerks desk, which was read
>, fhe letter Is from Mr.. Burns, Of Ohio, to Mr.
and states that the latter gentlemen having
Friday, au extract containing charges against
MI which if proven true would incapacitate
MIN from occupying seat the floor Of the
House; denies the charges, and desires that MIR.
II snail examine into their truth or faisity, and
in his seat in the House make such explanation
as the circumstances may require.
MT desired to respond to the letter, but sew
ear gentiemen objected that it was not a legiti-
mate matter for question Of privilege and that
MIR. II should make his response in writing
AMER considerable discursive debate during
which Mr.. ii endeavored to gain the consent of
the House to make his reply the matter yxas
ruled ont of order
On motion, the House then resolved that when
this House adjourn to-day ii stand adjourned to
Tuesday next.
On motion of Mr.. Chaffee, of Mass d, the House
then went into Committee Of the Whole on the
state OF the Union, and took up the adverse re-
ports OF the Court of Claims on private petitions
The consideration of these reports ELECTED con.
siderable discuss ion, and no definite action was
taken when the Stars report closed