Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-02-01
Thirty.fflh Congress...2nd Session.

lature of Indiana, setting forth that tue State
,unrepresented in the United States Senate, and
has commissioned no other persons to represent
her theriin, except FL. S. Lane aud W. NJ. Nc
Carthy, whom therefore the memorialsts pray
may be admitted as Senators from the State Of
Indiana Referred to the Committee on Judi
ciary.
Mr.. Bigler presented memorials from Penn
sylvania, in favor of specific duties OIL iron, etc.
Mr.. Cameron presented a similar memorial, and
took occasion to make some sarcastic remarks
on the zeal of the President in Kansas affairs,
and hoped he would exercise the same energy in
remodellng the tariff. Mr.. Biger replied, de.
Tending the President, and after some remarks
by Mr.. Cameron the memorials were referred.
Mr.. Slidell, from the Committee on Foreign
Relations made a report on the bill relating to
the acquisition of Cuba. The report assumes
that the acquisition of Cuba is a fixed principle
of American policy, and that its accomplish.
ment is only a matter of time. Cuba might
come to us in three ways: by achieving her in
dependence, in which case it would soon become
annexed or by conquest, but that would involve
general war; or by purchase, as we now pro-
pose. Spain need feel no deicacy in accepting
the offer. 1t is but another transaction like
Louisiana and Florida, the President only wants
it'by honorable MEANS exceptin case Of Over
ruling necessity as measure of self defence,
when, it is implied, it may be necessary to take
it. The report after setting forth all the ad-
vantages of the transaction, and saying that
nearly all the native Cubans desire annexation,
urges Congress to sanction the Presidents propo-
siton for renewal of the negotiations, else he
may probably not attemptt.
that all who concurred in committee in the pre-
sentation of this report did not concur in some
of it's recommendations. The report had stated
that it is the policy of this Government to ex
tend its dimensions by successive acquisition of
territory. He did not believe in such policy
Mr.. Seward, from the minority Of the Com
mittee, introduced bill calling on the President
for statement of our relations with Spain and
the condition of our Treasury, Army and Navy.
He proceeded to show the financial hindrances
to the acquisition of Cuba. The passage of this
bill. he said, also conferred upon the President
powers which would compel the Senate to ratify
them if exercised. lie had read to the Senate
report of the debate in the Spanish Chamber of
Deputies showing that that Government intend
ed to demand reparation from the President of
the United States for the alleged insult contain
ed in his message regarding the purchase of Gu
ba. He thought the proposition to buy Cuba was
unwise and ridiculous.
Mr. Bayard briefly advocated the passage OF
the bill as reported, and Mr.. Toombs replied to
Mr.. Seward.
House.-In Committee of the Whole, a long
debate took place on proposition to strike out
the appropriation for Foreign Ministers.
Mr.. Branch from the Committee on Foreign
Affairs. reported back the bill appropriating
$50, 600, 900 for the purchase OF Cuba.
TURspAY.-,Senate. The discussion OF the
Pacific Railway was resumed. MIR. johnson, of
Tenn, occupied nearly the entire afternoon.
House.-The proposition to extend the ocean
mail service along the Pacific ports of Mexico
was tabled as also, proposition for mail SER
vice from the Isthmus of Panama to South A
merican ports These acts are belved to be in
dicative of general retrenchment in the postal
system.
The Civil and Diplomatic bill was discussed
till the adjournment.
Observation-Disclosures motion was made
by Mr.. Seward to admit Messrs. Lane and Nc
Carthy, claiming to be Senators from Indiana, to
the privilege of admission to the floor Of the
Senate pending the decision of their claims. An
animated debate ensued, and finally, on motion
of Mr.. Mason, the proposition was laid on the
table.
A long discussion followed in five minute
speeches on that clause of the bill to appropriate
s75, 900 to enable the President to carry out the
law of 1919 for the suppression of the slave
trade.
The Pacific Railroad bill was then considered.
House.-A bill furnishing the forging and
of land warrants &C., was passed.
Mr.. Whitley, from the Committee on Agri-
culture, reported series of joint resolution set
ting forth that it is the duty Of the Federal Gov
eminent to obtain modification or reduction on
the part of certain foreign nations of the duties
and restrictions imposed on American Tobacco.
Adopted.
THURsDAY.-,Senate.-A were Of
fered to the Pacific Railway bill, and the bill was
further discussed. Finally, after paramenta-
ry struggle, all except the enacting clause, and
the last section, authorizing the President to adj
verise for proposals for three routes, and report
to the next Congress, were stricken out, and
the bill in that shape passed.
House.-The Consular and Diplomatic bill
was again taken up. The House refused to con-
cur in the amendments proposing to curtail the
number of Foreign Missions. Mr.. Crawford's
amendment reducing the appropriation of $780,
900 for the benefit of the ECHO" negroes to
$40, 900, was rejected by vote of 145 to 4S.-
The vote on the main bill was then taken, and
it was rejected by vote of 80 to SO.
subsequently, the vote rejecting the bill was
and after several attempts at com
promise, it was again rejected by vote OF "a
TO 98
The reasons for rejecting the bill were various.
The Republican members objected to any in
crease in the number of missions; while the
Southern members were not willing to sanction
the contract made by the President, with the
Colonization Society, for the education of the
"Echo" negroes.
Enthusiastically Gwin gave notice of
q motion to reconsider the vote on the Pacific
Railroad bill.
Mr.. Seward presented the petition of citizens
of New York setting forth that that city and
Brooklyn are destitute of defence against foreign
invasion, and praying for an appropriation OF
$3.50 900 for the construction of defensive works.
House.-The Committee to investigate the
charges against Judge Irwin, of Pa, were dis
charged, he having resigned.
Mr.. Stephens introduced bills for the estab-
ishlnent of Territorial Governments for Arizona,
Dacotab, and Jefferson Territories.
The House reconsidered the vote ofyesterday,
by which the consular and diplomatic appropri-
alton bill was defeated. The question was then
taken and the bill was passed-yeas lOl, nays W.
SATURDAY Senate-Nothing Of interest.
House.-Private bills were considered.
The difficulty between Senators Douglas and
Fitch has been settled by correspondence. Mr..
Fitch construed the remarks of Mr.. Douglas in