San Andreas independent., 1858-01-16
Congressional.

SO11S ISSSlOildl.
The 35th Congress was fully organized ON
Monday, the 9TH of December, 1857. Fifty
Senators were present when the body was
called TO order, by the Hon. Benz. Fitzpatrick,
OF Alabama, who was chosen President pro
tenn. Geo. W. Bowman, of Pennsylvania, was
chosen Superintendent of Public Printing
In the House, quorum being present, Mr..
Allen, of Illinois, was elected Clerk. Mr.
Florence, of Pennsylvania, gave notice of a
bill to suppress bank notes, rs a circulating
medium.
In the Senate, on the 3th, Mr.. Douglass.
Immediately after the reading of the Presi-
dents Message, opened the Kansas ball with
few cautious remarks indicating his purpose
to oppose the acceptance of the Lecompton
Constitutions
Messrs. Gwin, of Cal, Col. Stewart of Mich
igan, Trumbuil, Hale and Seward, likewise
broke ground. Messrs. Jeff Davis, Mason of
Va. and Bigler of Pa, indicate their entire
agreement with the President
In the Senate on the 9th, the debate on the
Kansas portion of the Presidents message was
continued by Mr.. Douglas, in fuller expression
and defence of popular sovereignty; and Big
ler of Pa, and Mason of Va. in opposition
The speech of Senator Douglass is considered
among the greatest he has ever made. He
dissected and exposed with a mastery hand
and skill, the manifold absurdities of the Le-
compton Constitution, and its inconsistency
with reason and with business, honor and fair
ness with the professions of the Democratic
party, and with the principles of popular SOW
ereignty-that the whole Constitution, une-
quivocally, should be submitted in good faith
to the people of Kansas.
Bigler undertook to corner Douglas by hold
ipg up his support of Toombs, in the last Con-
gress. Douglas was courteous and careful,
but immovable. Mason wanted the gallery
cleared for applauding Douglas at the close of
his speech. MIR. Clay of Ala, suggested that
the applause began on the floor Mason
dropped the subject, with a threat that the
gallery should be cleared next time The dis
cusslon between Douglas and Bigler was pro-
tracted, piquant and suggestive.
Mr.. Steadman, of Ohio, the democratic eau
Gus candidate, was elected printer by vote
of l3l to SO for Geo. Weston, republican; 4
scattering.
On the 18th Dec, the Kansas question was
discussed in both houses. In the Senate, Mr.
Green of Mo-, defended the Presidents posi-
ton on the subject, in set speech. In the
House Mr.. Cox, democratic member from Ohio,
supported generally, the views of Mr. Doug
lass. lie was replied to by Mr.. Hughs of In
diana, who deprecated the agitation of the
subject in the House, as premature and dam
gerous to tue harmony of the democratic party.
On the 10TH in both Houses of Congress, bills
authorizing the issue of $4,000 900 of treas
ury notes, was discussed. MeSsrs. Seward and
Banks led the opposition attack on the debate
of the measure.
Mr.. Douglass, of the Senate, and Mr.. Banks
of the House, introduced bills authorizing the
people to form State government. Mr.. Banks
proposition is similar to the Minnesota bill
The House appointed select committee to
investigate the accounts Of Mr. Cullonl, late
Clerk of the House.
1t is anticipated that astounding acts Of ras-
caity will be brought to light in the investi-
CATION. On the 10Th, the Senate, after a pro-
ionged debate passed the bill authorizing the
100000. 900 Of treasury notes, by vote Of 3
to Is.
The House, after some debate on the motion
of a special committee on the Pacific Railroad
project, went into Committee of the Whole,
and discussed the treasury note bill until ad-
journment
The following is the special committee on
the Pacific Railroad: Messrs Gwnn, Doug
lass, Bright, Davis, Hunter, Seward, Bell,
Foote and Overton. On standing committees
in the Senate-Gwinn, on finance post-office
and Pacific Railroad. Droderick on Military
affairs and Public Lands. In the House. Nc
kibben is on committees of Public Lands and
private land claims. Scott on post-office and
Indian Affairs
On the 7th, in the Senate, Mr.. Gwinn in
troduced a bin for the establishment of gov
ernment in Arizona.
A motion to table Mr.. II. Bennet's resolution
to raise select committee on the Pacific Rail-
road, was voted down by vote of 80 TO 94.