Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1859-01-15
LATEST NEWS.

- ~ g WASHINGTON, Jan. 4.

call OF the house ana quorum ODCalucu.
On motion of Mr.. Bernheisel the Commit.
tee on Territories were instructed to inquire
into the expediency of providing for the CON-
pletion of the territorial capital of Utah.
Mr.. John Cochrane presented petition
from the Canal Board for all appropriation for
the Lake harbors, in connection with the Ca
nails of the State of New York.
Various reports were presented from the
Standing Committee, including the following
by Mr.. Comins, of Massachusetts,, making an
appropriation for the improvement of Boston
harbor by Washburne, of Illinois, the Sen
ate bills making appropriations for the i'm
provement of the mouth of Milwaukee river
and Chicago harbor; by Mr.. Faulkner, of
Virginia, the Senate bill providing for the pay
ment of the claims of the State of Maine for
expenses incurred by that State in organizing
a regiment for the Mexican war.
Mr. Davis, of Mass, introduced bill pro-
viding that invalid seamen may receive an an
nual stipend from the Government, and reside
with their friends where they shall so elect,
instead of living at an Asylum.
Mr.. Curtis, of Iowa, asked, but failed to
obtain consent, to introduce a joint resolution
providing for a commission of members Of
Congress and army officers to revise the Mi
litia and Army laws.
On motion of Mr. Phelps, of Mo-, the
House went into Committee of the Whole, on
the state of the Union on the Indian Appro-
priation Bill. Without coming to a conclusion
the Committee rose and the House adjourned.
SENATE.-The Senate met at noon in the
old hall, from which the desks had been re-
moved, but supply of cane bottomed chairs
had been provided for their accommodation
The galleries and floor were crowded, notwith-
standing the falling snow, it having been un-
derstood that the Vice President, Mr.. Critten-
den and others would speak. The proceed
ings, as usual, were opened with prayer, and
the reading of the Journal, after which Mr.
Stuart, of Michigan, moved that as many Ia
dies were unproVided with seats in the gallery
they could be admitted on the floor.
Mr.. Hamlin, of Maine objected on the
ground that the admission of ladies would en-
barrass the legislative business; consequently
the ladies were not admitted.
Mr.. Davis of Mississippi, submitted the re-
port of the committee, stating that the new
Chamber was ready.
Mr.. Crittenden, of Kentucky, moved the
adoption of the report. The parting from
the chamber, he thought, was an event of
much solemnity. Many associations, many
of them pleasant and proud ones, bind us to
this chamber. It has been the scene of great
events. Questions of the American Consti-
tuition, questions of great national import,
questions of peace and war, have been deba-
ted in this chamber. Great men have fire.
quently been the actors within these walls.
He had seen men here whose name and fame
had not been surpassed in Greek or Roman
history. Here he had seen Clay, Webster,
Calhoun, and others. They have left on these
walls the impress of their fame. This majes-
tic dome seems yet to echo with their voices.
There are others too, whom he would not des-
ignate, for they had not yet fulfilled their po-
danger of being forfeited. When Senators
with them the inspiration of their predeces-
sors. They will leave behind them no iota of
patriotism or attachment to the Constitution.
These, our household gods, are carried with
us. The new hall will be the scene of the
past. There they will ever remain the Senate
of the United States,-the great preservative
body of this great nation conserving the SOW
ereignty of the States and the integrity of the
Union.
In the new hall while the mass of specta-
tors were settling themselves in places, sever
al memorials inaudible in the noise, but appa-
rently of private nature, were presented,
and Mr.. Mallory, from the Naval Committee,
reported bill to build ten additional sloops
of war, which was laid over. He said he
would make an effort to obtain an early vote
upon it.
Mr.. Mallory also introduced bill to raise
the pay of the officers of the navy.
Quiet being restored, the Senate appropri-
ately devoted the rest of the day to discuss
ins Mr.. Johnson's, of Tenn, motion, instruct
ing the Finance Committee to investigate the
public money, and report the means to bring
the expenses of the government within the
limits of rigid economy.
The Vice President addressed the Senate,
giving historical sketches of Congress at the
various seats of government, until its location
at Washington. He then narrated the burn
ing of the capital by the British army. The
assembling thereafter of the Congress in
Blodget's Hotel, on the site now occupied by
the general Postofice, and finally the assem-
bling in 1859 in the present building. He
then went into an interesting comparison Of
the present character of the Senate in the
early days of the government, and now
Then it was almost wholly an executive body
and much of it's business was transacted with
closed doors. He spoke of the great mission
the nation has fulfilled, and is destined tc
fulfill; urged upon Senate due appreciation
of the responsibilities resting upon them, and
| reviewed the Senatorial career of the great
dead whose achievements and services in thai
chamber illuminate our history. The Presi
dent often took part in debates, and it was
not for many years that the galleries were
provided for spectators. After further re-
marks which were listened to with much at
tention, the Senate proceeded in . body to tn,
new hall.
! Messrs. johnson, Seward, Bigler, Fessen
den, Toombs, Shields, Davis, Collamar, Ma
son, Stuart, Clingman, Reid, Green and other
took part in the debate. All agreed in tn
necessity of retrenchment, the only poin
debated being whether to refer to the finance
or a special committee Of seven. Withou
action, the Senate went into executive session
and upon the doors opening, Mr.. Hunter in
troduced the first appropriation bill of tn
season, viz, the Indian Pension and the Mill
tary Academy bill, when the Senate ad
journed.
| WASHINGTON, Jan. 5.
HoUsE.-Mr McRae, of Miss, announce,
the death of his immediate predecessor, Gen
Quitman, sketched his eventful career as
soldier and statesman, and pronounced eu
logy on his private and public worth.
Mr.. Wright, Of Tenn, paid an eloquen
tribute to the deceased.
Mr.. Thompson, of N. Y, trusted that
would not be deemed an intrusion for him
respond to the expressions of bereavement
and regret coming from the South, by tn
utterance of kindred sympathy from Ne,
York, from which, as one of her sons, Ger
Quitman went out to his new destination
another State, which delighted to honor hin
when living, and now laments him when deas
He spoke of him as an honest man, mod
of courtesy and devotion to his duty and tn
Federal Union.
Mr.. Thompson did not agree in all of Gel
Ouitman's political sentiments. but he hor