Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-02-16
CONGR ESSIONAL.
Thirty. fifth Csngress-First Session.

IN THE SENATE, yesterday, Mr.. Houston pre-
sented Joint resolutions from the Legislature of
Texas, requesting the Senator's and Representa-
lives from that State to their iniu ence to have
the charges against Jidge w atrous investigated
MIR. Strat presentsd joint resolutions from the
state OF Michigan requesting their Senators and
Representatives 10 use their influence In passing
the law appropriating public lands for the con.
structi"h Of the Pacinc Railroad.
MI seward presented 4 memorial from the
board OF commissioners of immigration of New
York city, asking Congress 10 take measures for
the better protection OF female immipi ant pa. =
sengers while on shipboard
Various other private and unimportant ppti-
lions, &c Were submitted. all Of which, ogeth-
er with the above, were appropriately referred
The joint resolution appropriating money to
defray tie expenses Of the investigating commit
tees OF the House Of Representatives, was then
passed.
The consideration of the Indiana contested elec
tion case occupied the Senate for considerable
time, ana without any action being had, after
snort Executive session, the Senate adjourned.
In THE HorsK, after our report closed, the an
swer OF John W. Wolcott, the last contumac ious
witness In the case of alleged corruption of men,
bers by Messrs Lawrence, Stone & Co was read
IL covers twenty-three pages Of manuscript, and
is review Of the powers of the House and the
committee Dlscldilning any intention of con-
tempt, he perseveres in his refusal to answer the
question propound.d any more full than his for
nier reply.
Mr.. Stanton, of Ohio, stated that the committee
had not consulted since the character OF this reply
was made known 10 them, but he submitted the
following resolutions:
Whereas John w. Wolcott has failed satisfnc-
toriiy To answer the questions propounded to him
by order OF this House, and has not pury-d
himself OF the contempt with which he stands
charged therefore be Ii
ReSOlUed, That John ". w olcott be committed
by the Sergeant at Arms TO the common iail of
tue District OF Columbia, to be kept in close Gus
tody until he shall signify his Willingness to
answer the questions propounded to him by
select committee OF this House, and all other
legal and proper questions that may be pro-
pounded to him by said committee aud for his
commitment and detention this resolution shall
be sufficient warrant.
Resofr,d, That whenever the officer having
inc said John w. WolcOtt in custody shall be
Informed by said Wolcott that he is ready and
willing TO answer the questions heretofore pro-
pounded, and all proper and legal questions that
may hereafter be propounded to him by said
committee, Il shall be the duty of such officer to
geant-at-A Arms Of this House, whose duty IL shall
be to take him Immediately before the committee
before whom he was summoned and appeared
ior examination, and to hold him in custody suit
Ject to the further order Of the House.
After considerable discussion the resolutions
were agreed to by the following vote-yeas I33,
nays SIS.
Mr.. Brayton presented Joint resolutions from
the Legislature Of Rhode Island against the ad-
mission OF Kansas under the Lecompton consti-
tuition.
Mr.. Groesbeck introduced a bill for the i'm
pIovement Of the navigation at the falls OF the
Ohio river; referred to the Committee on Com
merce.
GA motion Of Mr. Morrill,, 1t was
Resoired, That the Committee on FOREIGN Az
fairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency
of abrogcting the late called reciprocity treaty
with u. eat Britain, and whether the same does
not operate disastrOusly upon the timber and
grain growing regions of the United States as |
well as a9ainst American interests gene ally
Preceding Of To-day. |
In THE SENATE, to-day, Mr.. Houston offered a
resolution, which lies over, instructing the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations to inquire into the /
expediency Of this Government exercising pro- |
tectoIate over Central America.
Several bills were introduced by different
members for the improvement Of rivers and har-
bOIs; which were appropriately referred.
Mr.. Hale submitted q resolution Tor the facili-
tation OF the transmss on of the mails between
New York and Boston. .f. - +
The joint resolution providing for the recep-
lion of Turkish Admiral were then taken MP and
was under consideration when our report closed
In THE HousE, Mr.. Letcher, from the Ways