Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1859-04-14
The Late Congress.

the late Congress-.
The thirty fifth Congress closed on the
4th Of March. The customary votes OF
thanks to the presiding officers were pass
ed: in the Senate without any opposition,
and in the House by a vote Of l20 10 81
With the exception of the passage of the
principal Appropriation bills, and the ad-
mission Of Oregon, all the important busi-
ness brought before Congress at this sess-
ion remains unadjnsied. The Senate bill
for the construction of railroad TO the Pa
cifc, cut down to a simple advertisement for
proposals from contractors, never reached
the House. The Soldiers Pension bill,
which passed the House by large Minority,
was in the Senate referred TO the Pension
Committee, who reported against it, as sin
expedient and unwise, whether considered
in relation 10 those who must bear its bur
dens in taxation, and may enjoy lis boun-
ties in pensions. "A French Spoiaion
Bill providing, in effect, for the payment Of
$4,000 in satisfaction for claims Of
American citizens who had suffered spola
tions by the French prior TO 1901, passed
the Senate. A similar bill originated in the
House, where it was apparently received
favorably; but il was decided, npon point
of order, that as it virtually made an appro-
priation of money it must be considered in
the Committee of Whole. Thus dispos-
ed of, SO many bills had precedence Of it
that it could not be acted upon. This bill
and that Of the Senate were therefore tabled.
The Feench Spoliation Bill has singular
history. In one shape and another it has
been before Congress for half century,
Sometimes it has been passed by one House
and rejected by the other; twice it has pass
ed BY both Houses, and vetoed by the Pres
ideni; and now its final disposition seems as
remote as ever. The Senate refused by
vote of % TO 26, to take up Mr.. Grows
Homestead Bill, which had passed the House.
A bill giving large quantities Of public land
60 the several States and Territories, for
the purpose of establishing Agricultural
Colleges, passed both Houses by deeI led
maiorities, but was vetoed by the President.
Mr. Sliddell's "Thirly Million Bill" with
various amendments and substitutes, occu-
pied large share of the attention Of The
Senate until February 25. On that day
Mr.. Brown moved, as test vote, to lay The
Bill on the table, announcing that he should
vote against his own motion. This was lost
by vote of 80 to l9, Mr.. Broderick being
the only Democratic Senator, who voted to
table the bill. The sentiments of the Sem
ate being thus clearly ascertained, and the
session being so near Ms close that 1t would
be impossible for the Houseto act upon the
bill, it was Withdrawn by Mr.. Sideli, with
the intimation that it would be brought for
ward again at the commencement oil the next /
session.
The deficiency in the revenue was early
brought before the House, and it seemed 10 |
be the opinion Of the majority that an aug
mentation of the tariff was Indispensable; |
and that no bill for losn should be passed |
unaccompaued by an increase in duties
The Committee OF Ways and Means could
not agree upon any tariff bill to be present
ed, and up TO the last day of the session it
seemed probable that Congress would dis
solve without making any provision for the
means necessary to meet the deficiency
On that day message was presented from
the President, appealing to Congress 10 pre-
serve the public credit. "This," he said,
ais the last day of Congress, and there is no
appropriation yet 10 pay the outstanding
Treasury Notes. From the information SUBJ
mitted by the Secretary of the Treasury it
is manifest that the present receipts will
scarcely meet the ordinary expenses of the
Government. By the end of the fiscal veal
nearly eighteen millions will be due, with
considerable amount paid fer duties at the
various ports, and no means 10 meet them.
Thus the American people will be dishon-
ored befofe the world. 1t is impossible 10
avoid this catastrophe unless provision be
made against it within the few remaining
hours Of the presen! Congress. Ifthis was
the first instead of the last session OF Con-
gress, it might be called together again.
But if il re- assembled Tomorrow, thirteen /:
States will not be represented, and it will be
impossible to reassemble all before the
Treasury must stop payment" At length,
Just before the close OF the session, The .
House, by vote Of "a TO SO, agreed to an
amendment made in the Senate TO the mis-
cellaneous appropriation bill, by which the
issue Of treasury notes 10 the amount OF
100000 is authorized. The peril of
general bankruptcy of Government was thus
avoided; but owing 10 misunderstanding
between the two Houses no appropriation i
we're made to meet the expenses o: the Post .
Office Department. The Senate passed o
bill appropriating about SEC, 00G, 900 10 de-
fray the expenses Of this department, and
meet the existing deficiency. This was
sent to the House, which slightly amended,
It, and returned it 10 the Senate. I
That body in the meanwhile, had passed I
Post-route bill, upon which were engraf- !
n
iiege and raising the rates of postage; these +
provisions were now appended TO the Ap- ]
preparation bill, the House thereupon, on
motion of Mr.. Grow, voted (ll7 to 76)
that this was virtual infringement of the ]
constitutional provisions which directs that /,
all bills for raising revenue shall originate
in the House of Representatives, and re- {
fused 10 entertain the proposition. The Sen
s,e affirmed that it was capable of judging
Gifts own action. A joint Committee of Con-