Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-02-16
THE RAFTsMAn's JOURNAL,
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

FEB. 5.-In the Senate, the vote opposing
the Missouri two per cent. Land bill was re-
considered, but the discussion of the bill was
deferred. Memorials were presented from
New Y ork, opposing any increase in the rates
of postage. Mr. Clay, from the Committee
on Commerce, brought in substitute for the
Treasury Secretary's recommendations of
economy. Mr.. Clay proposes to dispense
with the services of about thousand Custom
House officers. In the House no important
business was done.
FEB. Tn the Senate the Agricultural
College bill was taken mp, and Mr.. Clay of Ala
bama spoke strongly against il on the ground
of its unconstitutionality. Several other
Senators continued debate for a short time,
when the bin was passed, Yeas, %; Nays, y.
Mr.. Sidell wanted to take up the bill for the
acquisition of Cuba, and moved that its provi-
sions be added as an amendment to the Civil
Appropriation bill, which Mr.. Hunter was
trying to get up. Nothing was done with
either, however. The Pennsylvania Avenue
Railroad bill used up the remainder of the
session. In the House, after some unmpcr
tant business, the Executive Appropriation
bin was taken up in Committee giving some
Members an opportunity to explain their views
Of economy. The Committee rose without
coming to any conclusion on the BILL During
the evening session miscellaneous discussion
took place, Mr.. Bliss of Ohio speaking upon
| the Federal Judiciary, Mr.. Stuart of Maryland
In 1aNOT OF revising the arm. anu hE dlCe
in favor of specific duties.
FEB. SIN the Senate, resolution was
adopted, calling for the correspondence with
the alleged Government of Nicaragua In re-
gard to filibustcring. a bill was introduced
in regard TO marine signals, providing for the
appointment of Board to establish perfect
code. The Senate was further exercised on
the subject of retrenchment and reform, but
no practical result obtained. The Penn
sylyania Avenue Railroad bill rejected,
% to p. Some discussion was had upon the
Civil and Diplomatic Appropriation bill, when
the Senate adjourned. In the House, after
some talk about the Indian expenses in
Oregon, the Executive Appropriation bill was
taken up in Committee y bit of sharp talk
on Slavery occurred, when the Committee
rose and the House concurred, by the casting
vote of the Speaker, in the amendment striK
ing out the appropriation for The Coagression-
al Gl0be; but that vote was reconsde-ed and
the amendment rejected by nine majority.
FEB. 9.-In the Senate the vote defeating
the'P Pennsyyanfa-a Railroad was recon-
sidered. Mr.. Bigler's resolution adverse to
public debt ard in favor Of readjustment OF
revenues and expenditures was taken up, and
Mr.. Toombs replied to Mr.. BIS speech. going
over the bill by sections in an elaborate
speech, when the subject was postponed
The Cuban bin was next taken up. Mr..
DOolittle offered substitute a bill appro-
priating S50,000,000 to establish in Yucatan
or Central America a free negro nation. In
the House the Executive Appropriation bill
was taken up, and the sum of S2D,0O0 for
mileage, $4,000 for furniture, $4,000 for
Ihs Congressional Globe, Sl00, ,000 for the
ges OF the San Francisco Mail, % 900 at the
New York Assay Office, and S225, 600 for the
purpose of site in New York for Court pur-
poses, were stricken out, and on the other
hand S175, 900 was added for deficiencies in
printing, after which the bill was passed by
IS majority. \ bill was reported to increase
the number of Surgeons and Assistant Pursers
in the Navy. The Thirty Million bill was
reported back from the Committee, when Mr..
Davis of Mississippi, gave notice that he
should move TO strike out the word purchase
as applying to Cuba, and insert sstake.'' The
Post Office Appropriation bill was reported.
The House then took up the case of the Dele
gate from San Francisco, which was debated
until adjourned.
FEB. 10.-In the Senate, Mr. Bright's Tariff
resolution up, and Mr.. Clingman spoke
At length in opposition. Mr.. Simmons re-
piled, when the subject postponed until
tomorrow, Mr. Hunter having the floor. Mr..
Seward tried to get up the Indiana Senators
case, but failed by one vote. The Cuban bill
was then taken up, and Mr.. Foot moved to
amend no payment shall be made until the
Treaty shall be ratified By the Senate. Mr..
Foot and Mr. Pugh occupied the session, Mr..
Benjamin having the floor at adjournment.
In the House, the case of the disputed scat of
the delegate from Nebraska was laid on the
table by six majority. The bill for the admIs-
sion of Oregon was debated for : short time,
and made the special order for Saturday.
During the evening session, Mr.. keim spoke
in favor of Protection, and Mr.. Taylor of
Louisiana in favor of the acquisition of Cuba.
Mr.. Abbott opposed the latter proposition.
After the debate upon the Oregon bill Mr.. Tay-
lor oil N :. made an expose OF the enormous
sum paid by the Government for printing.
FEB. 11.-In Senate. Gov. Seward called up
the Indiana Contested Election, but it was
laid on the table by the decisive vote of so to
2l-All the Republicans present, and none
others, voting in the minority. Where was
Douglas The Cuba bin was then taken up,
and Mr.. Benjamin of La. elaborately advoca-
ted it. He asserted that Cuba must either be
acquired by the United States or Slavery
would die out there. &c. He talked of peace
able acquisition, but evidently spoke to in
flame the popular appetite to the stealing
point. othing else was done. In the House
the Oregon Admission bill came up. and was
the occasion of miscellaneous debate upon
the Oregon, Kansas and other Territorial
questions, until there were-only a dozen mem
bers in the Chamber. Nothing was done
with it, and the House adjourned.
WESTERN LUMBER TRADE.-The following |
relative TO the Lumber Trade of
the Allegheny River, is taken from the Olean, /
New York, .4drerffser =
'sThe amount Of lumber annually run down |
the Allegheny river and its tributaries, is esti- |
mated at from $50 900, 900 to 175. .000, 900 feet.
This amount is to be greatly reduced the COM
ing Spring. We doubt If it will exceed 10O- !
OO0,0OO feet, including the amount manufac-
tured and to be manufactured from the logs |
now on hand. The amount of logs now on
hand cannot be greatly increased unless we