Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-02-03
Tag RAJ TsMAN's JOURNAL,
rHIRrY.FIFTH CONGRESS.

val of the present Neutrality laws, but recon-
mended the passage of bill containing fur
ther provisions for bringing offenders to justice.
The report embraces resolutions 10 the effect
that the law arms the President with sufficient
power to act upon the high seas, and that the
seizure of William Walker, although techni-
cally illegal, calls for no further censure than
such as may prevent it from being hereafter
drawn into precedent. Mr.. Douglas of Illi-
nois diSSented from the report, and Mr.. Foot
of Vermont from SO much of it as imputed
blame to Commodore Paulding. The subject
was made the special order for February Q.
Mr.. Davis of Miss. pressed the consideration
of his bill, providing for the increase of the
Army, but alter some discussion between him
and Mr.. Fessenden Of Maine, the matter was
postponed until tomorrow. Mr.. Harlan OF
Iowa made speech upon Kansas affairs.
Skirmishing with respect TO charge of fraud in
Kansas followed between Messrs. Polk of No.,
Stuart of Mich, Wilson of Mass, and Davis
of Miss, after which on motion of Mr.. Brown
OF Miss, who said that on Friday the Lecomp-
ton Constitution would be submitted to Con-
gress, the subject was postponed till that day,
and the Senate adjourned. In the House, the
Speaker appointed the following Select Com
mittee on so much of the Presidents Message
as relates to and recommends National aid to
the construction of Railroed from the ATTAIN
tic States to those bordering on the Pacific :
Messrs. John S. Phelps, No.; Israel WASH
burn, Jr., Me-. Sam. X. Curtis, Iowa w. L.
Underwood, KY. J. A. Gimer, n. c.; j. F.
Farnsworth, Ill.,; d. w. G. Leach, Mich.
G. l.. Scott, Cal. /; G.. w. Jones, Tenn. j. 5.
Millson, Va; Erastus Corning, n. Y; w. S.
Groesbeck, Ohio; o. r. Singleton, Miss.
II. NJ. Phillips, Pa; Guy NJ. Brya, Texas;
Messrs. Washburn, Curtis, Farnsworth and
Leach are Republicans; Messrs. Underwood
and Gilmcr, Americans; the residue (nine)
Administration men. Locally, it is not
unfairly constituted, and we believe fair ma
Jority of its members are favorable to the
great enterprise of the age. The only rock
on which it can now be lost is that of sectional
covetousness; and we will hope that some
plan may be devised which win SO provide that
the road will be constructed on whichever
route viii cost least 10 the Government. If
the friends of the Southern route will give
security for its construction at less cost to the
Treasury than will be required -on the Middle
or Northern route, TO the South let it go. The
House spent the day in Committee OF the
Whole Oh the State of the Union upon the,
Invalid Pension bill. Mr.. Gartrell of Georgia
took the opportunity TO defend Slavery, as
being s'strictly in accordance with right, the
sternest dictates of humanity, and the Word of
God.' Mr.. Washburn of Wisconsin criticised
the reasons by which the Administration
sought to account for the financial revulsion,
and Mr.. Granger of New-York exposed its
want of ecofomy and good judgment Mr..
Bingham of Ohio made speech of some
length upon Kansas affairs, after which the
Committee rose and the House adjourned.
JANUARY 26.-In the Senate very decided
and wholesome opposition to the proposed in
crease of the Army was evinced on both sides
of the house-MessrS. Toombs, Hunter, Fos-
ter, Fessenaen, Hale and Seward uniting in
condemnation Of the large and permanent in
crease proposed. 1t is plain that Mr.. jeff.
Davis bill cannot be passed without serious
modification. No question was taken. In
the House, the Printing Deficiency bill was
taken up, and Mr.. Clark B. Cochrane of New
York made spirited speech against the Le-
compton SwIndle. Keitt of S. C. questioned
him to little purpose. Clingman of n. C..
tried but failed to get in an extreme s:Msnifest
Destiny" resolve with regard to Central Amer
lea. Morris of Ill. had similar luck with one
proposing to negotiate with the Mormons.
Florence of Pa. ditto with a proposition to
adjourn on the eth of June. Adjourned.
JANUARY. 27.-In the Senate, a resolution
authorizing Commission to examine into
the difficulties with Utah before resorting to
force, was introduced by Mr.. Wilson of Mass
achucctts, and referred to the Committee on
Military Affairs. Mr.. Pugh introduced the
JOINT resolutions of the Legislature of Ohio.
After they had been read, Mr.. Wade made
characteristic speech, in which he stigmatiz
ed them as disreputable, in that instead of
speaking out boldly, as became the Legislature
of sovereign State, they indorsed the Ad-
ministration in one breath, while opposing its
only important measure in another. Mr.. Wade
would have the people of Kansas, in case the
Lecompton Constitution was accepted by
Congress, take up the argument of the bay
onet where their fathers left it. A discussion
ensucd upon the Army bill OF Mr.. Jefferson
Davis "a substitute introduced by Mr.. Gwin
having been rejected), in which Messrs. Bell,
Iverson and Chandler took part. Mr.. Irerson
sssinfu place of folly, filth and falsehood.'
The House, after the adoption of resolution
calling for information respecting the Utah
expedition, went into Committee of the
Whole on the Printing Deficientcy BILL
Messrs. Davis of Miss, Leach, Avery, and
Thompson of New York spoke en Utah, Kan
sas, and so forth, and Mr.. Gddings asked
some pertinent questions. When the Com
mittee had risen, reports from the Commit
tee on Elections, in regard to the introduce
tion of testimony in the Ohio contested case
were made.
JANUARY 2S.-In the Senate an amendment
| to Mr.. Davis Pacific Railroad bin, providing
for Northern route, was introduced. A bill
prohibiting the issue of bank notes within the
District of Columbia, or the circulation there
of notes issued elsewhere, of less denomina-
tion than $50, was reported from the select
committee on the subject and a resolution
inStructing the committee on Commerce to in
quire into the expediency of repeating the
law creating the Light house Board, was adop-
ted. Mr.. Hale yindicated the figures in his
speech on the Army bill against the charges
of The Union. Mr.. Toombs of Georgia took
strong grounds against the measure. To whip
| the Indians at any time during the last twen-
| ty-five years, 1000 troops would have been
amply sufficient; to whip Brigham oung 200
troops were enough. As for Kansas, s.the ex-
| perience of forty centuries had shown that or
der maintained by regular troops was despo
| tism," and peace so obtained ssthe cemetry of
liberty" He would not vote for single SOL
dier to maintain peace in Kansas. The sub