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

Messrs. Lane and McCarty, the claimants of
the seats now occupied by Messrs. Bright and
Fitch, to the privilege of the floor while
Pennsylvania presented memorials from their
constituents in favor of specific duties. Mr..
Slidell, from the Committee on Foreign Af-
fairs, made long report on the Thirty Million
bill for Cuba, recommending the purchase of
that island Immediately, as ssa measure of e.
economy, before the price be raised" Mr..
Mason, while expressing his agreement with
the conclusions of the majority of the Com
mite dissented from the proposition that it is
the policy of thisGovernment to extend its do
minions by acquisitions of territory. Mr..
Seward, representing the minority of the
Committee, introduced bill requesting the
President to transmit to Congress, at the COM
mencement of the next session, a statement of
the then relations between this country and
Spain, and of the condition of the Treasury
and the Army and Navy. Mr.. Seward sup
ported his opposition to the purchase of Cuba
in brief speech. Mr.. Bayard favored the
report of the majority, and Mr.. Toombs COM
bated Mr.. Stewards positions. The Senate
adjourned without taking any action. The
House refused to suspend the rules for the
purpose of dsvoting the first two days Of
February to the consideration of Territorial
business, as Mr.. Stephens desired. A resolu-
ton limiting the debate on private bills next
Saturday to two five-minute speeches on each
side, was adopted. A bill appropriating
$4,000 to the payment of witnesses before
Investigating Committees, the officer sum
moning them not to be allowed more than ten
cents mile, was passed. The residue of the
morning session was devoted to the consider
alton, in Committee, of the Consular and
Diplomatic Appropriation bill. Some home
truths were told, but no action was taken. Mr..
Branch of North Carolina, from the Committee
on Foreign Affairs, reported the Thirty Million
Cuba bill. In the evening session, Mr.. Clark
B. Cochrane spoke in favor of Homestead
bill, and Mr.. Davis of Mass. against the aboli-
tion of fishing bounties.
JAN. 25.-The Senate chose Mr.. Fitzpatrick,
Chairman pro feu., during the necessary alb
sence of the Vice-Presdent. Explanations
and inquiries followed, respecting the reports
of the Executive session, which found. their
way into the papers, and the important discov-
cry made of room near the Senate
Chamber, in which were two black cats, half
starved, and halfcrazy. The residue of the
session was occupied with the Pacific Railroad
bill, Mr.. Johnson, of Tennessee, making a
heightened speech. In the House, Mr.. Eng
lish reported adversely to the memorial of
the Mount Vernon Association, askingfo the.
use Of the franking privilege-which memori-
al was finally tabled-and reported bill a.
the franking privilege altogether.
The Consular and Diplomatic Appropriation
bill was discussed in Committee. A salary of
81 500 was voted to Mr.. Townsend Harris as
Minister Resident at Japan. Some Southern
Members chafed at the appropriation for the
return and support of the cargocs of captured
slavers. Several memorials asking for the
of new mail steamship lines
were laid on the table.
JAN. 26.-Thc Senate refused to admit
Messrs. Lane and Mccarthy, the claimants of
the Indiana seats, to the privilege of the floor.
All the remaining amendments to the Pacific
Railroad bill were lost, and thel fina vote will
made adverse to the bill permitting creditors
to sue the Government in the Court of Claims.
bill was reported to punish forgery of land
A joint resolution, instructing the
Government to procure from foreign countries
a modification of their revenue systems in
respect to American tobacco, with view to
the removal of present restrictions, was pass
Kelsey of New York, was referred to the
Committee of the Whole. Mr.. Grow urged
the force of Gen. Jackson's principle, that
the public lands should be dedicated to the
use of actual settlers, and gave notice that he
should ask vote to-day. The consideration
of the Consular and Diplomatic bill was re-
sumed in Committee. The pending amend
ment, forbidding the expenditure for the sup
port and education OF the recaptured Africans,
was rejected. Mr.. Crawford of Georgia then
moved that the appropriations for this purpose
be cut down from $4,000 to $4,000. An
exciting debate followed. The Fire-Eaters
denounced the President for his conduct in
acts of Congress in suppression of the Slave
'rade as unconstitutional and imputing piracy
TO their constituents. conservative" South
erners took more moderate, if less logical
view of the general question. Northern
Democrats and Virginians cried, ssSoftly !
softly not just now. Wait sstill the question
IS properly before u.s." Finally, the clause
making an appropriation to enable the Pres
dent to carry out his contract with the Col |
,nizatiou Society, was stricken out. The SUBJ
ect will be reopened when the bill comes be-
ore the House.