The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1859-02-26

Congressional synopsis.
Wednesday,, FEB. 16.-The Senate debated
the diplomatic and consular appropriation
bill, Mr.. Clay having offered an amendment
to strike out the $75, 900 to pay for the re-
turn to Africa of the negroes captured on
the brig Echo. The amendment was lost,
when the bill was laid aside and the Cuba
bill taken up. against which Mr.. Thompson,
Of KY, made a speech, occupying over two
hours, in facetiCus but somewhat rambling
strain, interrupted by continual laughter,
after which the Senate went into executive
session and afterwards adjourned.
In the House, Mr.. Stephens reported bills
for the organization of the territories of
Arizona, Dacotah, and Jefferson, pixies
Peak all of which were killed as fast as re-
ported by being laid on the table.
a bill was passed granting a pension Of
$50 month to the widow of Gen. Gaines.
The Senate amendments to the bill donat-
ing lands for agricultural colleges were con-
Cured in. Adjourned.
Thursday, FEB. 1.-THE Senate, after
struggle, refused to take up the Homestead
bill from the House, this refusal being re-
garded as fatal to the bil,) but took up in
stead the consular and diplomatic appropri.
alton bill. This was discussed for an hour,
then laid aside, and the Cuba $50, 900, 900
bill resumed, against which Mr. Chandler
made violent speech, bitterly abusive Of
the President. Adjourned.
In the House Mr.. English called up his
bill for regulating postage On newspapers
and periodicals. lie said it had been extern
sively reported through the press that the
bill required publishers TO pay postage on
their exchanges, which was not a fact
Mr.. COlfaX, however, objected to the bill,
because it required publishers to prepay
postage on their circulation. The bill was
not taken up, but instead Of it the House
went into committee on the army aPpropria-
ton bill. Various projects to reduce the ex-
pendtures were discussed, but no vote
taken. Adjourned.
Friday, Feb. lS.-A message from the
President was laid before the Senate, askng
Congress TO confer upon him the power to
use the army and navy to protect the tran
sit route across the isthmus in Central Ame-
RIGA. Messrs Mason and Douglas favored
granting the power asked, and Nessrs Sew
ard and Fessenden thoroughly opposed it.
The Senate then took up the private ca
endar.
The House was again engaged all day on
the army appropriation bill, the motion
pending being in striking out 100000 for
the recruiting service. During the debate,
Mr. Lovejoy said he wanted to hit the army
between the horns so as 10 have merely a
skeleton hung up for the study of practical
anatomy. He was credbly informed, and
believed that the army was used TO get up
war, and garrisons to advance the price Of
town lots. Some months ago there was a
great cry against tine Mormons, cries that
they ought to be exterminated because they
preferred white concubines to black
Laughter He was proceeding to reply to
Mr. Letcher's remarks of yesterday about
nationality, when he was called to order by
Mr.. Phelps for irrelevancy.
Mr.. Loyejoy said point of order always
comes from the vast deep when the harpoon
touches the blubber.
Mr. Phelps, joining in the laughter, said
be had only insisted on an observance OF the
rules.
Mr. Comins did not desire our army to be
like the militia of Mississippi, which, accor-
ding 10 an editor Of that State. had an album
dance of officers but no privates. Laugh
ter
Mr. Stanton's amendment was rejected
ayes 50, nays not counted.
Another amendment, to abolish brevet
paw, was rejected. Various other amend
mcnts were discussed but not disposed OF
when the House adjourned.
Saturday. FeJ. l9.-Thc Senate vas all
day enca led in discussing the consuscr and
diplomatic appropriation bill, but came to no
vote upon it.
The House again On the army aPpro pria-
ton bill. An amendment providing for dis
abled army officers, and one by Mr.. Bryant
approprlatns a million dollars to pay the
Texas volunteers, were both rejected.
Various amendments were acted upon
These agreed to were subsequently reported
to the House, but no definite action was
taken thereon. Adjourned.
Nonday, Feb. 2l.-The Senate took up
and. after an hours discussion, finally pass
ed the diplomatic and consular appropriation
bill. The Cuba bill was next taken up,
when Mr. Mason offered amendment by
way Of substitute, to the effect that Con
.ress comedies the proprlety and ultimate
necessity Of acquiring Cuba; that without
cress. at present, confines itself 20 a deca-
ration that the United States is prepared 20
receive the islaad whenever Spain is ready
to transfer it for fair equivalent, and that
this country can never remain neutral under
any policy which would sever Cuba from
Spain in favor Of any foreign power No
vote was taken on this proposition, but Mr..
Collamer occupied the balance of the day in
n violent anti-( Cuba SDeCCh.
The House proceeded to take action on
the amendments to the army appropriation
bill as reports from the committee of the
whole on the state Of the Union, by concur
ring in the amendments The appropriation
for the erection of barracks, hire ofjanitors,
&c, were reduced 10 the extent OF $780,
600; and as between four and five Thousand
animals are 10 be dispensed with, the trans
portation of the army. &c, $40, 900
1888, 900 for other objects, including Sl09,-
600 for the Springfield and Harper's Ferry
armories, stricken out, making the total re-
duction 81 ,473, 900. The bill passed by ll6
to 90.
The post office appropriation bill was mex;
taken up in committee Of the whole, and
discussed until adjournment.
Tuesday, FEB 22.--The Senate discussed
from to s O'Clock p. NJ, the civil appro.
priation bill, without taking any important
vote on it. The Cuba bin was postponed by
a vote Of SO against 50, which looks like
kill.
The House was engaged all day on the
post Office appropriation bill, but-came to nc
important vote On 1t.
Illinois Legislature.