Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-03-03
Abstract of Congressional Proceedings,

WEDNESDAY, February %, 1853.
The Kansas question, in all its aspects aud
bearings, was reopened in the SENATE, growing
out of the discussion of Mr. HALE's proposed
amendment to the Legislative, Executive, and
Judicial Appropriation bill, repeating the re-
striction clause in the act providing for the ad-
mission of Kansas The debate assumed a col
loquial shape, in which Mr. DoUGLAs took the
principal part. He went over the whole ground
from the passage of the kanSas-NebraSka act
to the present time, fully defining his position
and answering all questions freely. Mr.. BRowN,
of Mississippi made speech addressed to the
Northern Democrats. The debate was also
participated in by MesSrs, DAVIS of Mississippi
GREEN, of Missouri, HUNTER, of Virginia
GwIN and BRODERIcK of California, STUART,of
Michigan, and Others-principally however,
Democrats.
The SENATE adjourned exactly at midnight
In the HOUSE. the first thing was an unsuc-
cessful motion to suspend the rules for the u-
PRODUCTION of a Tariff bill. The Postofiice
Appropriation bill being under consideration
in Committee of the Whole Mr.. MONTGOMERY,
of Pennsylvania, attempted to tack on Tariff
bill as an amendment, but the House. would
not consent it. The subject of the Butterfed
Casioned long debate and an amendment was
adopted abrogatiug the contract. The bill
was reported to the HOUSE, bat none of the
amendments adopted in Committee were acted
upon.
THURspAY, February q, 1889
The post-r0utes bill occupied the attention
Of the SENATE. Mr.. Yuee spoke in favor of
abolishing the franking privilege, and increas-
ing the rates of postage from three to five
cents under three thousand miles, and ten cents
for over that distance. After several amend
ments being made to the bill, the SENATE ad-
jOurned, with the understanding that the vote
On the bill be taken to morrow without debate
The Post Office appropriation bitl was taken
up in the House. and the motion to allow the
Butterheld company to choose their own route
for the overland and Pacific mail was lost by
n vote of 10 to 49, The proposition to pub
lish advertisements for mailroute proposals in
but two papers in each State, and these two
to be the papers having the largest circulation
was also rejected by a majority of thirteen
The amendment approprating 100000 for
printing blanks (to be given to the lowest bid
der was adopted. A vote was then taken on
the bill itself, and it was rPjected-yeas Sc,
1lO WI. DOCOCh lOIll tlt COuuht lcC 10
examine into the naval contract frauds, pre-
sented report from the majority and min
ority report from the same committee was pre-
sented by Mr.. Sherman. Both reports agree
in the opinion that glaring abuses exist ia the
Brooklyn navy yard, which require immediate
reform, and that great frauds are perpetra-
ted by those having the agency for buying coal
for the navy. Both documents should be read
by all. A general debate took place in Com
mttee of the Whole on the naval appropria-
tion bjll-the tariff, and a revision Of the post
age laws, being the principal subjects discus
sed.
SATURDAY, February &c, 1859
In the SENATE, the most important motion
was the withdrawal, by Mr.. SLIDEIL, for the
present session, of the Cuban bill He gave
notice. however that he should again introduce
it on the first day of the next session, and
stated that his motive for the withdrawal now
was, to save the Appropriation bills, and thus
prevent the necessity for all extra session,
though he was satisfied that the feeling of the
SENATE was clearly in favor of the principles
Of the bill. The Army Appropriation bill was
then taken up, and passed after several hours
debate, by vote of "a to 10.
In the HOUSE. bill was reported from the
Committee on Military Affairs, and passed
which provides for fine of $500 and one years
imprisonment, for cutting timber on the Military
reservations. A partial report was made from
the Special Committee appointed to examine
the accounts of the late Superintendent of
Public Printing, which duplicates PETER S
DurAL, late Of the firm of DUvAL d Co., Phil
adelphia. The Post Office Appropriation bill
was passed by four majority, in the same shape
in which it was before rejected. Mr.. PHELPS,
of Missouri, again made an attempt to obtain
u suspension of the rules for the introduction
of tariff measure, but the effort was again
unsuccessful. The Presidents expected veto
of the Agricultural Colleges bill was received
The veto is based principally on constitutional
grounds, and the bill failed to pass over it
The Naval Appropriation bill was then con-
sidered in Committee of the Whole, but was
finally laid aside, and the SENArE's amendments
to the other appropriation bills were acted
upon.
EXTENSIVE SALE OF NEGBoEs.-The sale of
II a..