Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-01-19
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.


Crittenden in its favor at some length, the bill
was passed The Military Academy Appro-
priatiou bill was also passed. In the House,
a resolution calling for the correspondence
with France and Spain relative to Cuba was
adopted. Mr.. Harris of MARYLAND sought, in
vain, to introduce a resolution requesting the
President to interfere in the MortaEa case. In
Committee Of the Whole. the Indian Appro-
priation bin was amended. by the insertion of
provision iorbidding the purchase of arms
or ammunition for the Washington and Ore
gou Indians, except as required by treaty stip-
ulations. Mr. Nichols of Ohio entered his
protest against the Old Soldiers bill. Mr.
Fenton would have approved of bill, the op-
Grafton of which should be confined to disa-
bled soldiers. Mr.. Anderson OF Missouri
made fiii6uster's speech Mr. Washburn of
Maine arraigned the democratic. party as
an oligarchy, and defended Republican prin-
ciples.
JAN. 1l--Mr. Mason reported to the Sen
ate bill authorizing the President TO use the
land and naval forces st discretion in Spanish
America Mr. Wilson made an elaborate
speech upon the Pacific Railroad question.
and in reply TO Mr.. ITerson's remarks. Vari-
Gus personal explanations grew out of this,
after hearing which the Senate adjourned.
On Monday Mr.. Sliden introduced bill grant
ing money TO the President for the purchase
of Cuba In the House, Mr.. Hill of Georgia
sought in vain to introduce joint resolution
declaring that no State should be admitted
into the Union which did not have sufficient
population TO entitle her TO a Representative.
Fhe resolution disapproving of the seizure of
Gen. Walker by Commodore Paulding, which
was reported at the last session, coming MP,
the House ,afier adopting several amendments
tabled the whole subject by four msjority-a
rebuke 10 the iiibusters. Mr.. Sherman's mo-
lion 10 refer the Naval Appropriation bill to
the Committee on Naval Affairs was discuss
ed, and will probably piss.
JAN. l2.-The President informed the Sem
ate that it was inexpedient to make public the
correspondence growing out of the Wanderer
affair, at present. Mr.. Hale reported joint
resolution authorizing the appointment of
Commodore Stewart, senior Flag Officer, on
the active list a bill, the effect of which
was to give the Minister to France about s3,-
700, was lost. Mr.. Fitch reported against
printing several documents at the public ex-
pense- Mr.. Green of Missouri spoke in ia
vor of Pacific railroad bill, of which the
eastern terminus should be on the Missouri
border, three branch roads to connect there
with Mr. Brown of Mississippi argued against
the constitutionality and necessity of any
road. Messrs. Bigler, Pugh, Allen and Hun
ter, also discussed the subject. Mr.. Douglas
opposed Mr.. Iverson's motion to recommit
the bill TO the Committee, with instructions to
report in favor Of Northern and Southern
route, and the motion was lost. Mr.. Iverson
restated the positions of his Disunion speech,
and was bitterly personal toward Gen. Houston
who will reply to-day. Mr.. Polk obtained
the floor, and the Senate adjourned. In the
House Mr.. Stephens asked leave to report the
Oregon bill. Objection was made and the
bill must therefore await its regular time
Mr. Sherman defended his proposition 10 re-
fer the Naval Appropriation bill TO the Naval
Committee. Mr.. WaShburn of Maine. with
whom Mr.. Jones of Tennessee agreed, op-
posed it, as leading to confusion and likely
TO increase. instead of diminishing the ap
propriations. Mr.. Grow advocated the mea-
sure; but Mr.. Howard of Michigan asked
whether this was not making radical change
in the business of the House without a cor
change in the rules Mr. Seward
of Georgia. thought that the Committee on
Ways and Means had too much to do to be
able to do their work thoroughly. Mr.. Gid
dings of Ohio, made strong out-and-out
Republican speech, which excited great in
terest, aud to which Mr.. Rowie OF Maryland
replied.
JAN. 13.-The Senate referred to the Com
mittee on the Judiciary bill introduced by
Mr.. Seward, the object OF which is to put
stop TO the slave-trade by forbidding any yes-
sci 10 sail for the African coast without
clearance from the District-Attorney en-
powering the President TO hire ten steamers
to cruise where il may be necessary, and di-
recting the Secretary Of the Treasury to des-
ignate the African points where Consuls shall
reside and lawful commerce shall be carried
on. One million dollars are appropriated.
Mr.. Simons introduced resolution, whic h
was laid over, directing the Secretary of the
Treasury to prepare plan for the increase of
the revenue by means of specific instead of
ad UGloFem duties. Mr.Houston made union
speech in reply TO Iyerson, who appologized
for his remarks on Wednesday. Mr.. Ward
that Texas was more strongly in
favor of disunion than his colleagues sup
posed. After rambling discussion on the
Pacific Railroad, the Senate went into Execu-
live Session. In the House, Mr.. Sherman's
motion TO refer the Naval Committee was lost,
he bill being reterred to the ComnIitf.e af