Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-02-22

Thirty.ffth Congress...2nd session.


MONDAY, Feb. ID, 1S59.-Ssnate-Mr. Hun
ter expressed his views on the tariff.
Messrs. Pugh and Gwin introduced the Sena-
tors from Oregon, who were sworn and took
their seats. They drew lots as usual for the
long term, and Mr.. Smith has it.
The case of the Indiana Senators came up and
was debated for several hours. Messrs Seward,
Trumbull Fessenden, Harlan, Collamer and 9TH
ers spoke on the Republican side, and Messrs
Bayard, Green, Benjamin, Pugli and others
spoke against the contestants. Mr.. Seward said
he would move every year while he remained in
Congress, that the resolution of the Senate on
the subject, adopted June 18th, last, be expun-
ged. Onssnotion of Mr.. Pugh, the report de-
claring Messrs. Bright and Fitch Senators was
sustained
/ House.-A bill authorizing the Postmaster
General to contract for carrying the mails was
passed, There is provision in the bill for car
ryng the mail from st. Paul to the Pacific.
| In Committee of the Whole Messrs. Phelps
and Garnet spoke on the tariff and the revenue.
| TUESDAYS ate.-The Vice President took
the chair at precisely eleven o'clock. Prayer
was offered by Rev. Mr.. Boyle, a Roman Gath
Ole Priest. There was not Senator in his seat,
save one, who, during the prayer retired into the
lobby. The Vice President raped his maliet
and remarked that he could not call vacant desks
to come to order, so he would await the arrival
of Senators. By quarter past the hour, eleven,
Senators had dropped in, so the journal was
read.
The House bill, modifying the pay ofarmy Of
fcers, was taken up and amended, provoking
much discussion chiefly between Messrs. Pugh
and Davis. Finally Mr.. Pugh offered an a.
mendment that the act of February, 1857, be re-
peaed, and the pay of all the officers of the ar
my be that presented by the law formerly in
force. The amendment was rejected and the
bill passed.
| Mr.. Wilson introduced bill to regulate the
mileage of the Senate and House of Representa-
tives. 1t was ID cents per mile for under 1000
miles, and 20 cents between 1000 and $500
miles, and % cents for over $500 miles-the
distance to be computed by the nearest mail
route. Referred.
Mr.. Orittenden took the floor on the Cuba
question.
| Hoase.-In Committee of the Whole, Mr.. Nor
ris, of Illinois, was particularly severe in his de-
nunoiations of the President, owing to the re-
moval of Douglas Democrats in Illinois and the
appointment in their stead of alleged bands of
infamous political spoilsmen. He said if the
Democrats hope to succeed they must cut loose
ministration.
Mr.. Boyce, of S. O., spoke against the acqui-
sition of Cuba. He said if the President wants
to preserve friendly feelings with Spain he will
abstain from attempting to buy the Island, for
she knows we have not money to buy and do
not need Cuba. ss5
WEDNEsDAY.-Senate.- Consular and Dr.
plomatc appropriation bill was taken up, and
Mr.. Clay moved to strike out $75, 900 for the ex-
pense of sending back to Africa the negroes kid
mapped by the brig Echo. After debate the mo-
ton was lost-yeas 10, nays 40.
The bill was then set aside and the Cuba CUES.
ton made up. Mr., Thompson, ofKy, delivered
long speech against the acquisition Of Cuba,
which abounded in humor and strong arguments.
House.-Bis providing temporary governments
for Arizona, Dacotah and Jefferson Territories
successfully laid on the table. g.
A bill granting pension of $50 a month to
the widow of Gen. Gaines, was passed. ~
The Senate's amendments to the House bill
granting lands to agricultural colleges, were con-
Cured in.
THURsDAY-Senate.-T Homestead bill was
taken up, and after brief discussion laid aside
for the Consular Appropriation bill. Mr.. Pugh
moved an amendment to this bill, abolishiag all
grades of Ministers except one. Pending vote
on the question, the Cuba bill was taken up and
Mr.. Chandler spoke in opposition to the thirty
million scheme
House.-A bill to regulate postage on news
papers and periodicals was passed.
! The House then went into Committee of the
Whole on the Army bill. Mr.. Davis of Miss,
spoke in reply to Mr. Garnett's charges of ex-
travagance, and MIR. Letcher made some remarks
on the same subject. Mr.. Granger, of N. Y,
made speech against the fugitive slave law.
FRIDAY--SenGte.-Afte q few private bills
had been acted upon, an important special mes
sage was received from the President asking
Congress to confer on him power to use the Ar
my and Navy to protect the transit route. 1t
was partially debated by Senators Mason, Cling
man, Benjamin, Douglas, and Davis, more or less
in favor; and by Messrs. Seward and Fessenden,
as thoroughly against it. Without taking any
action, the Senate adjourned.
House-The Army bill was considered in
1 Committee OF the Whole. The regular expen-
ses of the Quartermaster's Department were re-
duced $400, 900, it being proposed to dispense
with about four thousand five hundred animals
SATURDAY.-Senate- Mr.. Mason moved that
the subject of the Presidents late special
message be taken up Mr.. Hunter insisted on
taking up the appropriation bill, but gave way
to report from the Committee on Pensions a.
gainst the old Soldiers bill, which was read and
ordered to be printed.
The Consular and diplomatic bill was then Ia
ken up and passed with slight amendments.
! House.-The Army Appropriation bill was
considered in Committee of the Whole.