Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-12-14
THg RAE TsMAN's JOURNAL.
rH1Rry.s1xTH CONGRESS.

Dec 5.-Both Houses of Congress met to-
day. In the Senate, Mr.. Mason of Virginia
submitted a resolution, to lie over one day,
for the appointment of a Committee of Inves-
tigation respecting the Harper'S Ferry inva-
sion. Mr.. Trumbull of H., gave notice of an
amendment to inquire into the seizure of the
arsenal at Franklin, Missouri. Mr.. Gwin gave
notice of a Pacific Railroad bill, when the
Senate adjourned. In the House, a ballot was
had for Speaker, in which there was no choice
MIR. Bocock being named by 50, Mr.. Sher-
man by sc, Mr.. Grow by 43 Mr.. Boteler by IA,
and twelve other members receiving one and
two votes. Mr.. Grow withdrew his name, and
motion to adjourn, made by Mr.. Burnett of
Kentucky Administration Democrat, was car.
ried.
Dec. 6.-In the Senate, Mr.. Mason's resolu-
tion for information respecting the Harper's
Ferry Invaso on came up again, ,eliciting debate,
/ in which Messrs. Trumbull Mason, Hall, Hun
ter, Davis, Green, Crttenden, Wilson, Clark,
| Brown, Pugh, and IyerSon participated, when
| the Senate adjourned without taken the ques
| ton. In the House, debate on Mr.. Clark's
resolution relative to Mr.. Helpers book was
resumed, Mr.. Clark taking the floor. lie was
| followed by Mr.. Gilmer, who moved substi-
tute, reiterating the declarations heretofore
made by the Whig and Democratic parties re-
| sisting all attempts at renewal OF Slavery
| agitation. The previous question was moved
but, in tie vote, the House refused to order
|
| House adjourned without having a ballot for
| Speaker, or taking vote on Mr.. Clark res
| olution.
Dec. In the Senate, Mr.. Clay gave no.
tice of bill to repeal the Fishing Bounties
| act. Mr.. Powell, of bill to abolish the frank
! ing privilege. Mr.. Mason's Harper's Ferry
resolution was then taken up again and deba-
| ted but no question taken up to AZ O'Clock,
when the Senate adjourned. In the House,
| Mr.. kellog, on question of privilege, had
| read the n. Y. Tribune's special Washington
dispatch, referring to the first days proceed
| ings, in which it was claimed that the Repub-
! lican side of the House should not be held re-
sponsible for the cowardly performance of the
| day. Mr.. Kellogg took exception to the po
| sition assumed in the dispatch. The discussion
was continued, Messrs. McClernand, Duell,
| Morris, and Garnett, participating and then
| it was proposed by Mr.. Winslow that the
| House proceed informally TO a vote for Speak
er. The proposition was received with cries
| of ssAgreed.'' After personal episode be-
| tween Messrs. Pryor and Nelson, vote was
had which stood-for Sherman, 107 Bocock,
| IS; Gilmer, %; scattering, II. No choice
| 116 being required.
| DEC. S.-Mr Slidell gave notice in the Sen
ate of a bill making an appropriation to facii.
| tate negotiations for the acquisition of Cuba.
| Mr.. johnson also gave notice Of a Homestead
| bill. Mr. Mason's Harpers Ferry resolution
was then taken up again, and speeches made,
| when the Senate adjourned to Monday. The
! discussion on the Helper Book was resumed
| in the House and continued throughout the
| session. No vote was taken on Speaker.
DEC. 9.-Senate not in session. In the
| House, Mr.. Morris, on question of privilege,
| called attention to the charge made by Mr..
Kellogg that Mr.. Greeley had had political
| interview with Senator Douglas in the latters
parlor and also had read Mr.. Greeley's de-
| NAL. Mr.. Kellogg replied that Horace Gree
| ley and Senator Douglas had been put on trial,
| and he (Mr. K.) gave notice that he would
| hereafter prosecute the issue. Mr.. Logan
| said the charge was made to inJure Mr. Dou-e
| glas-whO was the candidate for the PreSiden-
| cy on the part of the great North West-to
| njure him by associating him with Mr.. Gree
| ley. Mr.. l.. declared that he would never a
| gain notice Mr.. Kellogg, who, he said, when
| called upon for proof OF his charges, like
| spaniel Shrunk into a corner. AT this point
| Mr.. Kellogg rose from his seat and, as if with
| hostile intent, advanced toward Mr.. Logan who
| put him into q defensive attitude. Members
| in the immediate vicinity seized upon both TO
restrain them, and much excitement prevailed
| throughout the Hall. The Clerk called loud
| y for order, and MesSrs. X. and l.. being
widely separated, Mr.. Logan continued his re-
marks, announcing that he was perfectly cool.
| Mr.. Morris called for the Sergeant-at- Arms,
| but order was, after while, restored. Mr..
Taylor took the floor and proceeded TO say
that it was time these irritating discussions
ceased, and that the representatives of the
people should proceed to an election quietly
and decently. They should have some COM
| petent person TO preserve order. After some
cross-firing relative to applause and Kisses in
| the galleries and on the floor, Mr.. Logan pro-
nounced Mr. Kellogg's charge false in every
| respect. Mr.. McClernand produced a letter
| from Mr.. Douglas branding the charge as false.
| Mr.. Logan again took the floor, reprobating
| the action of the Republican party in Illinois.
| Then followed a series of questions and replies
| between Messrs. Haskin and Logan, when Mr..
| Stanton obtained the floor, saying that he
would yield it if the House desired to proceed
to the election of a Speaker provided he could
! have the floor again. This was agreed to, and
a vote taken, standing: For Mr.Sherman,
| 10; Mr.. Bocock, So; Mr.. Gilmer, 20; scat
tering, 13. Attempts were made by Mr.. r.Hick-
man to move the plurality rule, but they were
| declared out OF order, and the House adj.
| ---- ----
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1O.-Mr. Curry, of Ala
| bama. in speech to-day, manfuIly acquitted
the Republicans from any completely with
| Browns foray, or responsibility for Helpers
| Book. 1t is believed the discussion will con-
| tinue in the House several days more, and per-
! haps during the week, Democrats being de-
termned to resist the plurality.
a meeting of the Southern Opposition was
| held this evening, Mr.. Gilmer acting as chair
man. 1t was resolved unanimously not to
| support any Democrat for Speaker, but to
maintain their present position, consistently
voting for one of their own men. This is their
! first formal and decisive action party.
| An effigy of Gov. Wise was hung on tree,
| in Woburn, Mass. ,on Saturday. On the other
! hand, effigies of Seward and Beecher were pa
raded through the streets of Princeton, New
Jersey, and finally consigned to the flames a.
mid grOanings and cheers, in front of Prince
ton College. A mock execution of John