The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-12-23

CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON. Der. ~

HoUsE.-On motion of Phelps, of No.,
the House resolved itself into Committee of
the Whole on the state of the Union, on the
bill for the payment of invalid and other
pensioners, appropriating 1852, ooO
The House passed the Soldiers Pension
bill. Yeas 100. Nays 70.
SENATE.-The Senate went into Execu-
tive session.
WAsHINaToN, Dec. PIP NJ
HoUsE.-The Military Academy Bill, after
several speeches were made, was laid aside
t, be reported to the House
Phelps, of Mo-, offered series of resolu-
tions referring to the various branches of
the Presidents message to the appropriate
Standing Committees.
Mr. Comins remarked there was much in
the message to approve and much TO con-
demn. While the President is anxious to
enforce measures against Spain and other
countries for the satisfaction o. claims even
to war, he had nothing TO say of the delin-
quency of our own Government, and tEe
neglect of Congress to do justice to claims Of
its own citizens, founded on justice. He
then explained aud advocated bill for the
relief Of Nathaniel and Benjamin Goddard,
the claim growing out of the seiznre of the
ship J. Taylor, during the war of 1912,
and reviewed the correspondence on the
subject, showing the inconsistency and con-
Trajectory course pursued by England, and
exposing her object, which he believed to
be to defeat our policy and secure firm
footing on the Isthmus. He doubted the
good faith of England in seeking to avoid a
direct issue on the Clayton-Bulwer treaty,
by negotiating with the weak States of
Central America, and not directly with the
Z. S. Government. He advocated the alb
rogation of the Clayton Bulwer treaty, and
a more decided policy on our part as due
the interest and honor of this country. He
reviewed the history of the Monroe doctrine,
explained the circumstances under which it
was announced and the necessity of it at
the time, as well as its Importance now.
Mr.. Norris of Ills. explained his bill Civ
ing the people of organized territories
authority to elect their judges, governors,
and all other officers, and providing for the
formation Of State Constitutions where they
have sufficient population to elect one mem
Der TO Congress. He had hoped that the old
issue on the Lecompton Constitution would
have been allowed to sleep, but it had been
revived by the President in his message.
The Democracy of Illinois have always been
brave and fiithful, yet a hostile policy
has been pursued towards them by the Ad-
ministration. The guillotine has been at
work and the places of good men have been
supplied by miserable sccundrels and syco-
plants. This he boldly asserted and could
prove.
Mr.. Washburne, of Ills, asked Do !
understand such persons have been appoint
ed by the present Administration.
Mr.. Morris replied that he did not assert
that the character of those individuals was
known to the heads of departments, bnt il
is fact that they were appointed to office.
The passage of his bill would quiet the
slavery agitation in Congress.
Mr. Richie, of Penn, characterized the
election of judges and governors of terri
tories as absurd and referred to Utah and
its unfovorable operation there
Mr. Morris said Sir. Richie could insert
an amendment exempting the territory
of Utah from the operation of the bill
Davis, of Miss, asked and obtained per-
mission to print his speech. Its subject was
not mentioned.
Mr.. Millson, of Va, gave some reasons
why he was opposed to the duties The
Committee then rose
The invalid pension and West Point ap-
preparation bills were passed.
Mr.. Morris, of Pa, gave notice of his in
tention to introduce a bill providing for
specific duties on a certain class of imports.
and SO amendatory of the present tariff as
to furnish an increase of revenue to the
treasury, and a proper protection TO the
labor and industry of the country
Mr.. Davis of Miss, asked leave (but OBJ
jetions were made) to offer a resolution in
structing the Committe on Foreign Affairs
to offer bill authorizing the President to
take possession of Cuba until satisfaction
was given for insults offered on persons and
property of our citizens.
The House then adjourned.
SENArE-Mr Seward, of New York, in
troduced a bill which was read twice by
title, authorizing the renewal of offices be-
longing the United States, and occupied by
collectors of revenue in connection with
the quarantine station in the port of New
York.
Mr.. Seward also presented Il memorial
of the gold and silver leaf manufacturers of
New York and elsewhere also, three petit
tons of citizens of Oneida and Jefferson
counties of New York, praying for the erect
ton of breakwater at the port of Cape
Vincent. All these petitions were referred
to the proper committees.
Mr.. Clay of Ala, submitted resolution
which was adopted, calling on the President
for copies of the correspondence between
the Mexican Government, Mr. Forsythe,and
the State Department, and such other infor-
nation as will elucidate the complications
which resulted in the suspension of dipIo-
macy between the two governments.
Mr.. Hunter of Va, submitted resolution
which was adopted, requiring the Postmas-
ter General to inform the Senate what
changes in postal loans are necessary to
render the Department selE-sustaining.
On motion of Mr.. Mallory, a joint resolu-
ton was adopted permitting certain officers
of the navy to accept from the British Gov
eminent certain medals and snuff boxes.
Mr.. Wilson, of Massachusetts, introduced
a bill which was referred to the Committee
on the District of Columbia to appropriate
100000 acres of public land for the bene
fit of free public schools in the District
Mr.. Davis, of Miss, reported from the
Committee on Military Affairs substitute
for the bill relating 10 military offices.
Several messages, the contents of which
are unknown, were read from the President
! Whereupou the Senate went into Executive
session for several hours, after which they
! adjourned.
! Washington Items.