Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-03-02
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

was presented relative to the Old Soldiers
Pension bill. The Diplomatic Appropriation
bill was taken up, and Mr.. Pugh's amendment,
to consolidate the smaller Missions, was a.
greed TO. Mr.. Simmons moved and carried
/ an amendment restricting the rate of exchange
on Ministers salaries to 10 per cent. For
the China Mission, it had been as high as AZ
per cent. The vote, however, was reconsid-
cred. Mr.. Fessenden got in an amendment
limiting Consular certificate fees on the Can
ada line to 80 cents, and TO nothing where the
value of goods is under 5000. After much
talk about economy, the bill was passed. In
the House, resolution was adopted, declar-
| ing that all extra copies of books and docu-
merits divided equally among members, are
intended for gratuitous distribution to libra
ries, and among the people, and that any 9TH
er disposition of the same meets the unquali-
fed disapprobation of the House. The Army
bill was taken up in Committee. Mr.. Bryan
of Texas wanted to put in 81 ,O00,O 900 to pay
Texas regiment for fighting Indians, but
failed Several amendments were acted upon,
but no definite action was taken on the bill.
FEB. 2l.--Mr. Mason of Va submitted to
the Senate a substitute for the Cuba bill,
which IN effect gives the Ostend project its
quietus. We trust the substitute will pre-
vail and the bill then be put to sleep. No
question taken. Mr.. Collamer of VT. pro-
ceeded in a sound and able argument against
the bill-against land stealing in general and
Cuba stealing in particular. Slidellism does
not seem to be making headway in the Senate.
The House directed some practical reforms
in Post-Office management, which, if they
be not evaded, cannot fail to save large
sums annually to the Treasury. On motion
of Mr.. Sherman of Ohio, the advertisements
of Mail Lettings are henceforth 10 be publish
ed only in two journals in each State which
must be those of the largest circulation, not
printed in the same city. Post Office Blanks
are henceforth TO be printed by whomsoever
will supply them cheapest, and Wrapping
Paper is henceforth to be procured of whom
soever will supply it cheapest. On motion of
Mr.. Blair of Mo-, the Wells * Butterfeld Ex-
press Company were authorized to carry the
California Overland Mail on any route they
may prefer, instead OF being required,a here
toforc, to run it through Arkansas and some
hundreds of miles south of Sslt Lake. Mr..
Reagan of Texas made volublc harangue
against this proposition, but was voted down.
FEB. 22.-Thc Senate postponed the $50,
1000 for Cuba bill by the close vote Of 50
to 32-every Senator present and voting but
Mr.. Sumner. Mr.. Slidcll intimaed that he
should consider such n vote equivalent to a
declaration of hostility TO the bill, as in fact
it is. Congress will appropriate no $50, 0,000,-
600 toward the acquisition of Cuba till it sees
where the money to pay current expenses is
to come from. The House refused to take up
the bill granting bounty lands to privateers-
men in the War of 1812-Ycas 80 (not two
thirds), Nays II. The Bounty Land business
would seem to be about played out-and it is
high time. The Post-Ofiice Appropriation
bill then came up and elected great many
words. y othing was decided. Finally, il
was laid aside, and Mr.. Hughes tried to get in
bill restoring the Tariff Of '46; Mr. Howard
OF Michigan moved recess for evening de-
bate, but the House after waiting some time
in confusion, adjourned.
Mr. Hall ,I,eho into
the Senate last evening has done terrible ex-
ecution to-day. The Tariff appropriations
Loans, Treasury y otcs, thirty million bribery
and corruption schemes, and all other ques-
tions, have been crowded from their stools by
the reappearance of Kansas with her CORY
locks. MeSsrs. Brown and Davis of Miss. Clay
of Ala, Hunter of Va. Green of Mo-, Gwin
Of Cal, and BEN amin of La, have given no.
tice to the country that they not only repudi-
ate the Sqnatter Sovereignty platform with
which they cheated the people, and elected
Buchanan, but they shall in future deny the
right of the Territories to legslate Slavery
ont of their limits, and demand Congrcssion-
al intervention to keep it there. They have
constructed the following new plank in the
Democratic platform, that under the Cons,i-
tuition and the Dred- Scott decision, property
in slaves in the Territories must have adequate
and positive protection by Congress, il such
protection is denied by Territorial legislation
tion. As to the States, only the right of re-
claiming fugitive slaves and the right of tran
sit are claimed at present. Douglas, Broder-
ick, Stuart and Pugh repudiated the doctrine,
the former declaring that no party embracing
ii can carry single State north of Mason and
Dixon'S line. Mason and JEFF. Davis informed
Douglas that no man with his Squattcr Sover-
eighty platform can obtain either an electoral
or any other vote south of that line. Mr..
Bigler pronounced a Jack Bunsby opinion on
the whole subject. He warned Southern Sem
ators not to press this subject, or it would
prove disastrous to the Democratic party in
the North. Stuart, one of the repudiated
lectured Southern gentlemen for asserting
obnoxious doctrines in the South, which have
been received in the North as the real senti-
ments of the party, and consequently has
produced terrible slaughter of the innocent
Mr.. Broderick expressed his surprise that his
colleague should attempt to force Slavery in
to California after having voted in her Consti-
tutional Convention TO exclude it. Mr.. Cling
man begged Senators to stop debate and go to
business. Mr.. Fessenden, at O'Clock tho't
as the Democrats had consumed seven hours
in their family quarrels it would be fair to ad-
Journ and let the Republicans have tomorrow.
The Senate refused to adjourn. Mr. Hale
then made characteristic speech which crea- |
ted much merriment. The, House gave the
day to action on the Post Office Appropria-
tIoH pili. All eHort Dy Mr.. montgomery OF
Pa. to restore the Tariff of 1916 by way of
amendment was ruled out by order of the |
Chair, which the House sustained. Little !
progress was made, and an early adjournment |
had. Things looks more and more like an |
Extra Session.
FEB 24.-In the Senate the Post-Routcs |
bill was taken up, and, in reply to question, |
Mr. 1nlee said it was the intention of the |
Post-Offce Committee to amend the bill by |
the rates of postage, and to make |
such other changes as might tend to increase |