Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-01-12
CONGRESSIONAL PRocEEDIAGs.


JANUARY 4.-Congress met to-day. The
Senate, after listening to appropriate speach-
cs, left the old hall for the new one. The first
business was the report OF bill from the Ma
val Committee providing for the construction
of ten additional sloops of war. Mr.. Mallory
also introduced bin to raise The pay of naval
officers. The residue of the session was de-
voted TO Mr.. JUhnson's motion, directing the
Finance committee to investigate the e1pen-
ditures OF the public money. and to devise
some means of retrenchment. 4 number of
Senators spoke, all talking reform and differ
ing only as to the committee to which the mat
ter ought to be referred. The debate is pro-
nounced unusually sensible and able. In the
House, little noteworthy was done. Various
reports were presented from the StandingCom-
mittees. The Indian Appropriation bill was
discussed in Committee of the Whole.
JASUAaY 5.-Notice vas taken Of the death
of Gen. Quitman, both Houses adjourned az
Ter listening to tributes to his memory. The
new Senator, Mr.. Chesnut from South Carroll
IA, took his seat. Mr.. Seward offered q reso-
luton which was adopted. .1structing the Com
Elittee on the Judiciary TO inquire as TO the
necessity OF amending the slave-trade laws.
JAS. 6.-Mr. Seward presen3 to the SEN
ate the Leavenworth Constitution. which wss
referred TO the Committee on Territories. The
French Spoliation bill was taken up on motion
OF Mr.. Crittenden, who urged its passage.
Upon the special order, being the Pacific Rail-
road bill, Mr.. Bigler finished his speech, and
was followed by Mr.. Harlan, who urged the
advantages of the Central route. Mr.. Ward OF
Texas favored the parallel .of 50 deg. Mr.. 1.
verson of Georgia INDUCED in violent pro-
slavery remarks respecting the .sienOn of Al
olitionism" and Mr. Seward, in the conrse Of
disunion speech, aiter.sitting through which,
the Senate adjourned. In the House, Mr.
Craig of Missouri strove in vain to introduce
a bill granting lands for railroads TO Kansas
and Nebraska. Mr.. Colfax introduced his bill
organizing the Territory OF Colona. to embrace
the new gold region at Pixies Peak. In COM
mittee Ir- John Cochrane explained and sup
ported his bill consolidating and codifying the
revenue laws. The Indian appropriation bill
was taken up. Mr. Bryan Of Texas and Mr.
Giddings of Ohio had a lively passage-at-
arms, Mr.. Bryan threatening that Texas would
60 ont Of the Union unless the appropriation
for fighting her Indians was passed, and Ar.
Giddiugs suggesting the repeal of the resolu-
ton annCxing Texas fair Offset to the re-
peal OF the Missouri Compromise.
JANUARY THE Senate disposed of a good
deal of routine business and received num-
Der Of petitions and resolutions. The Pacific
Railroad bin coming up, Mr.. Trumbul relIi-
ed at length to Mr.. Iverson-s violent speech
on Thursday. Mr. Shields favored the north
ern route 10 Puget's Sound. NJ. Do0little
moved an amendment, appointing Board Of
three Engineers TO survey the three routes and
report upon the capabilities. of each, and O.
pening alternate sections of land on the route
selected under the Homestead law to actual
settlers. In the House bill in favor of re-
lief to the Gen. Armstrong claimants was re-
ported by the Committee on Foreign Affairs
Mr.. Phelps reported the Fertilization Appro-
priation bill. Mr.. Jones of Tennessee offered
a resolution Of inquiry respecting the bogus
Agricultural Convention, now sitting in Wash
ington, which was passed. In Committee the
House passed eleven private bills.
JAs. S--Congress did little to-day. The
Senate was not in session, and the House, al
though refusing to adjourn because the day
was the anniversary OF the Battle of New Or
leans. did adjourn early in the day, after trans
acting little business.