Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-02-26
CONGRESSIONAL

FR1DAY, FEB. Private bills
we're acted on during the morning hour.
An important message was received from
the President. asking authority to use the
Army and Navy to protect the property and
persons OF Americans while passing over
the Central American Transit Route, which
was partially debated by Messrs. Mason,
Clingman. Benjamin, Douglas and Davis
in favor Of granting it, and Messrs Seward
and Fessenden against it,
House. The bill authorizing the Secre-
tary Of War to sell the Savannah barracks,
at price not less than So, 600, was pass
ed.
The Army Appropriation Bill was re-
sumed in Committee of the Whole. The
question of Withholding the pay, under
the brevet title, from Gen. Scott, was the
principal point in debate. An amendment
to strike that clause Of the bill out, was vo-
ted down.
The committee agreed to curtail the ex-
penditures of the Quartermaster's Depart
ment 100000. 1t then rose.
A resolution was adopted appointing a
committee of five to inquire into charges
in the New York Times, that members Of
the Committee on Accounts had been gull
ty of receiving money for urging the pass
age Of bills through that Committee.
SATURDAY.-No report.
| MONDAY -Senate-The Consular and
Diplomatic bill was reconsidered, amended,
and passed.
The Cuban bill being up, Mr.. Mason, of
Va, offered as substitute a joint resolu-
ton which states that Congress approves Of
the policy of the Presidents message, re-
speeding the probability Of the ultimate ne
cessity of acquiring Cuba, and that without
any committal as to further measures, Son
gress confines itself to the declaration that
the United States is prepared to receive
the Island whenever Spain will transfer it
for fair equivalent-and that this gov
eminent can never be neutral under any
policy which would sever Cuba from Spain
in favor Of any foreign power.
The discussion continued till adjourn
ment.
House The Army Appropriation Bill
was resumed.
The amendments Of the committee of the
whole were severely acted on, and the bill
passed. Ayes ll6, nays 81
Mr. Phillips made an unsuccessful At
tempt to suspend the rules to take up the
loan and tariff bill.
The rest of the session was occupied ir
the consideration of the Post Office Appro-
priation.
Erening Session-A general debate took
place.
TUEsDAY.-Senote The Executive, Leg
slative and Judicial bill was taken up ant
amended.
House.-The Post Office bill was yigor.
ously debated, and several amendments &C
ted on
The State bill incorporating the Washing
ton National Monument Society was pass
\ ed. It includes gentlemen Of various
branches Of tie public services in its Boare
of Directors, and the President of tae Uni
ted States as ex-of1icio President of the So
ciety.
! WEDNESDAY. Scnatc-Mr Slidell CAV
notice that he would call up the Cuban bill
on Monday.
| The Legislative bill being up. Mr.. Hal
offered an amendment repeating the restre
tive clause in the Kansas act. (Englis
bill a long and exciting debate ensued
participated in principally by the Demo
Gratis
Messrs Douglas and Pugh, in their re
marks advocated Squatter Sovereignty prin
ciples.
Messrs. Mason and Davis replied, repud
TIM the views Of the two Senators name
Mr.. Davis conveying the idea IN his re
marks, that Douglas is considered as hav
ing cut loose from the Democratic party.
House The Post Office bill was deba
ted and amended in Committee of the Who'll
and reported to the House for final action
} PENN AND MAcAuLAY The character {
, William Penn, like pure gold, shines th
brighter for being rubbed while the ne,
J British Lord, who doggealy persists in Ell
; ror after it has been proved upon him, is be
! coming damaged article. A new write
! has entered the field against Macaulay j oh
: Paget, British Barrister, who with tn
t conscientious industry of searcher loya
t only to truth, and with the cold, exhaustiv
and merciless logic Of Judge summonin
4 up case, goes through the series of charge
e brought against Penn and pronounces ther
: false "Once again" says the Atheneun
Of Jan %, land by a different train 0
inquiry, the charges brought against Pen
: are disproved, rejected, and declared calum
! NOUS" The infatuation Of Ma,aulay i
$ wonderful in clinging to error. The Ath
: eneum justly and poirtedly remarks-"Ot
I stinacy in clingng to false assertions, merel
e because they have been once made, will de
! stroy belief even in statements which ma
: be sound. Will Lord Macaulay like to Sc
f his volumes decline to the level, as regard
: public reliance on facts, Of Smolett, and t
7 find them labelled on the library shelf
: pleasant, but wrong ?"
: OREGON STATE, The Union says -
; 'sThe House Of Representatives passed, O
Saturday, without amendment, the bill c
the Senate, providing for the admission G
Oregon as State into the Union, by til
, decisive vote of ia to 1903. The aAirma
tive vote was made up of the great majorit
of the democratic members Of the body. re
inforced by small number of Republica
members, who had for the most part be
' longed originally to the democratic party