Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-02-19
CONGRESSIONAL
hirty-fifth Concress-Secoud Srssi

IN THE SENATE, yesterday. after our report
closed. message from the President was read.
In this message the President reminds Con-
gress OF the brief period of its session still
remaining, and urges the necessity of some
Legislative action for the protection of Ameri-
| can citizens and their property whilst in tran
stu across the Isthmus. lie refers them TO tho
illusions to this subject in his annual messages
of 1851 and 1853, and quotes therefrom the
recommendation that authority be given the
Executive To use the land and naval forces to
prevent The obstruction of the transit routes and
to protect our citizens in crossing it. whenever
a necessity for employing such force shall exist
The message also refers To the outragcs COM
mitted by Mexico on American citizens residing
in that country. by confScating their property
and cxtorting forced loans. The executive OIL
GERS of other countries, having the power TO use
force to redress such aggrievances can promptly
obtain Naturalization but rs the Executive If
this country possesses no such authority. and is
compelled to resort to diplomacy; our citizens
are without adequate protection AMI cannot
obtain redress. lie recommends therefore
that in countries where the local authorities
have not the ability IT, enforce the laws the
American Executive shall be clothed with au-
th0rity to protect our own citizens from con-
tending factions and iawleSs handitti Such
action. on the part of Congress. could in no Just
cause he regarded ~ a transfer of the war
simply constitute proper use Of that power by
Congress itself. The President refers TO the
Panama riot as an Illustration of exigencies
which may arise rendering the necessity for
the exertion Of such authority by the Executive
obvious. In conclusion. he recommends the
immediate passage of n law comforting such
authority and urges that the knowledge of
such legislation being had, will 60 far to pre-
vent the preparation of the outragcs com
planned of and secure our citizens from future
aggressiOns
Mr.. Mason said the Foreign Relations Com
mittee had reported bill in conformity with
the same recommendation to be found in the
Annual Message, and he thought il incumbent
on the Senate to give the subject immediate
attention.
Mr.. Clingman thought there would he diff
fculty in carrying out such law on account
of the Clayton-Bulwcr treaty and the expected
joint occupation OF the Isthman country with
England and France, as proposed by the Cas-
lrisarri treaty.
Mr. Mason said the latter treaty involved no
such joint occupa;ion-cr any occupation by
the countries named
Mr. Benjamin moved to take up the bill
authorizing the President to use the land and
naval forces in certain cases.
This was advocated by McssrS Mason. Cling
man, Douglas and Davis all of whom agreed
with the general spirit of the recommendation.
Messrs. Seward and FcSscndrn opposed it,
Pending the question the Senate adjourned.
II THE House, the Army APPROPRIATION bill
being under consideration. Mr.. Lovejoy ac-
cused the Speaker Of the House of unfairncss
in making up the Committees and in recognis-
ing members on the floor. In consideration of
| this. the appeal of Mr.. Letcher TO the Rcpub-
| lcans to come up AMI help pass the appropria-
| ton bills. &c, came with n bad grace.
Mr.. Lcicher replied. defending the Speaker
and denying that he had made such an appeal
rs the member from Illinois appeared to sup
pose.
Various amendments to the bill were then
| considered, when the committee rose.
Mr.. Nichols offered n resolution directing the
appointment of committee to investigate
charges against member of the Committee of
Accounts. After some debate it was passed.
and the House adjourned.