Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-02-17
Th,rty.fifth Congress-.-lst session.

presented the resolutions OF the Legislature Of
Rhode Island, demonstrating against the Le
compton constitution. The resolution referring
the Presidents Kansas Message to the commit
tee on Territories was taken up. resolution
from Senator Wilson proposing to send for per-
SONS and papers and examine into all the
facts connected with the adoption of the LIE
compton, Constitution was rejected by annai"r-
lty of six votes, and the reference 10 the Terri
lorial Committee prevailed. Pending an effort
ON the part of Senator Douglas to call up his
motion asking the President for information up
on Kansas affairs the Senate a journed.
HouSe-According to the agreement adopted
upon Saturday morning the first business taken
up was the call Tor the previous question upon
the motions for the reference of the President's
Kansas Message. The call was sustained, and
the question then recurring on the motion to re-
fer to the committee on Territories it was lost,
yeas 1l3 nays la The amendment of Mr..
Harris, referring the Message to select Com
mittee of thirteen to inquire into all the facts
relating to the formation and adoption of the
Lecompton Constitution was adopted, yeas la
nays / II, and motion to reconsider the vote
just had laid upon the table by a vote of yeas
| ll5 nays Ill. Mr.. Keitt, of South Carolina,
made an apology for the violation of the deco
rum of the House on Saturday morning, admit
ting that he was the aggressor and taking the
entire responsibility of the occurrence upon
himself He denied any knowledge of having
received blow during the collision Mr..
Grow also apologized, and the House then adj
journed.
TUEsDAY.-Senate-M Douglas, from Tie
Committee on Foreign Relations, reported
resolution authorizing the President TO settle all
the difficulties with Paraguay. The Senate by
vote, yeas %, nays 80, refused to take up Mr..
Douglas Kansas resolution, calling for returns
of elections held in that Territory, &c. The
consideration of the Army bill was then resum,
| ed. r7 re- fi.'-
Mr. Foot opposed the increase of the army,
and was even in favor of having its present
strength reduced, in consideration of the pres
ent bankrupt state of the Treasury and for 9TH
er reasons. Mr.. Pugh said he WAS in favor OF
reducing both the army and navy. Mr.. Ben
iamn had not yet been able to see any necess.
~ for an increase of the army though he had
looked into all the documents. Mr. Hainn OPP
posed the bill. He would not vote single dol
lar to send troops into Kansas or Utah.
HouSe.-A bill was reported from the Com
mttee on Foreign Relations to enable the Presi
dent to fulfil treaty stpuatons with Denmark
for the abolition of the Sound Dues. Another
special committee was authorized to investigate
Il fraud in relation to the purchase of land b,
the Government at Wilkinson's Point, New
York.
WEDYEsDAY.-.Senate-M Harlan presented
the credentials Of Mr.. Grimes, the new Senator
from Iowa. .r.,.
Mr.. Douglas attempted to bring up his Kan
sas resolution. Mr.. Davis objected and called
for the yeas and nays. Mr.. Douglas proceeded
to give his reasons why the resolution should
be considered now. Mr.. Davis objected to any
discussion of the merits of the question, when
Mr.. Douglas fired up." claiming the right to
discuss from the practice of the Senate in other
cases. He proceeded by referring to the fraud
nlent election in Kansas, and claimed the RICH
of Senators to demand an immediate invesiign
ton as to facts. He was repeatedly called to-
order by Messrs Davis and Mason, and the,vote
being taken Mr. Davis objection was sustained
yeas 90, nays "a.
The Army bill was discussed by Messrs. Crit
tenden, Davis, Houston, Hale and others.
House-The act for the safety of passengers
on steam vessels was under consideration.
THURsDAY.-Ssnate- Mason presented
joint resolution authorizing the President To
make arrangements for the reception of the dis
tnguished Turkish naval officer now on his way
TO this country. A resolution was adopted ma
king an appropriation to pay for the printing ol
the bred Scott decision. The consideration of
the Army bill was then resumed. Adjourned
ill Monday.
House-The Speaker announced the Special
Committee on the Presidents Kansas Message.
FRIDAY-House John W. Wolcott, the wit
ness arrested at the instance Of The Tariff lnves
tigating Committee was brought mp, and after
being interrogated was granted until Monday
time 10 purge himself of contempt in refusing to
answer the questions OF the Committee. The Com
mittee on Elections made report in the case #
the seat of Henry Winter Davis contested by Mr..
HIP. Brooks They deem it inexpedient TO grant
the prayer of the memorialist, Mr.. b., for Il
Committee 10 take testimony. After some un
important proceedings, the House then took up
the private calendar, and soon after adjourned
Till Monday.