The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-06-10
THlRTY-flFTH CONGRESS-,
FIRST SESSION.
Wednesday, June 2, 1858.
SENATE,

Mr.. Mason called up the bill reported from
the Committee on Foreign Relations, and de-
signed to restrain and redress outrages on the
flag and citizens of the United ates, whether
proceeding from Mexico or certain of the Cen.
tral American Republics.
Mr.. M. then moved that they be made the
special order for Saturday next, to the exclu.
sion of all other business.
Mr.. Hunter was oppofed to making special
orders in the present condition of the appropri-
alton bills. After those bills we're disposed of,
be would interpose no objection.
The question was taken on Mr.. Mason's mo-
ton, on call of the yeas and nays and it was
decided in the affrmative-yeas %, nays %.
So the bill is to come up Saturday at IL
O'clock to the exclusion Of ali other business.
Erening Sessions Rescinded - Mr.. Allen
moved to rescind the resolution for taking a re-
cess from to o'clock.
The question was taken, and decided in the
affirmative-yeas 81, nays %.
HOUSE.
The House resumed the consideration of the
report of the select committee on the subject OF
the sale Of Fort Smelling by the War Depart
| ment.
| The question was upon the resolutions Of
the committee, which declare the sale to have
been made without authority of law by the pres.
ent Secretary of War, against the official opin-
ion of his predecessor, and without the advice
of any officer Of rank aud that the agents who
conducted the sale were incompetent and neg
ligent in the discharge of their duty, &c.
Mr. Faulkner, on behalf of the minority Of
The committee, ffered q resolution as a substi.
tute, declaring that the evidence reported has
failed to exhibit any fact or circumstance which
in the slightest degree impeaches the person al
and official integrity of the Secretary of War,
and that the committee be discharged from the
! further consideration of the subject &c.
Mr.. Clark, of New York, proposed, as an
amendment to the substitute, resolutions to the
effect that the evidence has failed to exhibit
any fac. or circumstance impesching the per.
sonal or cial conduct of the Secretary of
War, but condemning the management of the
sale as ipjudicious and improper; and that the
evidence in the case be transmitted to the Sec.
rotary of War, to the end that, with the advice
of the Attorney General, he may adopt such
measures as, in his opinion, the public interest
may require.
Mr. Clark enforced his views, contending
that this course was the most just and reason.
able.
The discussion was continued BIZ Mr.. Smith,
OF Illinois, who explained his object in moving
the inquiry, and by Mr.. Petit, of Indiana, in
support of the report of the majority of the
committee, until nearly three O'Clock, when the
House was brought to vote upon the several
pending propositions.
The vote on Mr.. Clark's amendment to Mr..
Faulkner's was decided in the afirmative-yess
ll6, nays sc.
Mr.. Faulkner wished to add proviso, requi
ring the Secretary of War to report to the
House his future proceedings, but objection
was made; and the vote being taken en- sub
stituting the resolutions just adopted for those
reported by the majority of the committee, it
was decided in the negative, SO to l08.
The substitute of Mr.. Clark was therefore re.
jected.