Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-03-09
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

improved the occasion TO abandon the Thirty
Million Cuba Buying bill. After long debate,
the Army bill was adopted. "A TO 10. The ap-
preparations amount to SIS, 900, 900. In the
House, the report of the Committee of Con-
ference on the Indian Appropriation bill was
agreed to. A bill was passed TO protect TIM
Der on military reservations. Steps were ia
ken for the punishment of witness who had
testified before the Printing Committee to
certain untruths. The Post Office Appropria-
tion bill was amended by putting in money
tor new pos:-office buildings, and then passed
by four majority. A determined effort Was
made TO introduce Tariff bill by Mr.. Phelps,
Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee,
but, by a vote of l2S to SS, the House refus-
ed TO suspend the rules. The Presidents We
to TO the Agricultural bill was received. and
on vote the count was, Yeas, los; Nays,
96-not two-thirds for II, and SO the bill was
rejected. In Committee, the House took up
the Naval Appropriation bill, and talked a.
while about the recent disclosures by the In
yestigating Committee. Without further ac-
ton on this bill, the House concurrcd in the
Senate's amendments to the Consular, the
Legislative, ,and the IndianAppropriation bills.
FEB. 2S.-In the Senate, the Post Office
Committee reported adversely to large num-
Der of requests for new Post-Routes. On a
motion to take up the Homestead bill, the
vote was Yeas %; Nays 20. Senator Hous
ton made farewell speech. Conference Com
mittees were raised on the Executive and
Diplomatic Appropriation bills. The Post
Office Appropriation bill was then taken up.
The third section was stricken out, and in its
place six millions of dollars appropriated for
deficiencies of the fiscal year. long and
unintereSting debate ensued. In the House
the two Representatives from Texas wasted
considerable time in personal quarrel. The
Naval Appropriation bill was amended Gas a.
SO. .100,G COO for repairs to 8 l 100000 and the
81 ,192, ,OC0 for navy yards to $4,000 and the
bill then passed. Mr.. Phelps moved suS-
pension of the rules to introduce bill to eX-
tend the issue of Treasury n totes for two
years, but the House refused, % to l0S. In
Committee, the Miscellaneous Appropriation
bill was taken up. A motion to strike out
$3.50 900 for continuing the Coast Survey
negatived.
MARCH LIN the Senate, the Post-O Office
Appropriation bill being under consideration
in Committee, Mr.. Yulee moved to raise let
ter postage to five cents and abolish the frank
ing privilege, which motion revailed-Yeas,
90; Nays, %. Mr.. Wilson got in an amend
ment that TIE Post Office advertisements here
after be printed in two papers having the lar
gest circulation in each State and Territory.
An amendment. giving the overland mail con-
tractors the privilege of choosing their own
route, was lost, 10 to 81. During the debate
it was stated that the cost OF each letter COLI
veyed overland was from thirty-five to sixty
dollars 1t was then moved to make the trips
once a week. and reduce the pay TO $50, 600
instead of 5000, ,000, which was agreed to. Mr.
BrOdericl moved that the weekly mail be-
tween St. Joseph and Placerville be put
through in twenty days, and the pay be
SlI0, 900, which was agreed to. Mr.. Rice
moved weekly mail from st. Panl to Puget
Sound, at $500, ,000, which was carried SO to 4.
L
the amendments were adopted-tbat concern
ing the Buttcrfield contract by 81 to l6. The
section raising the rates of postage and abol-
lshing the franking privileg; was also adopt
ed. On final vote, the bill, as amended, was
90; Nays, -. a motion to
reconsider was lost. The Senate then took
up the Naval Appropriation bill. in the
House the amendments of the Committee of
the Whole to the Miscellaneous Appropriation
bill were acted upon. The $3.50, 1000 for con-
timing the Treasury Extension was cut down
to $50 goo; S450.000 for Custom Houses in
Charleston and New Orleans were stricken
put. The bill was finally passed, and then the
Ocean Mail Appropriation bill was taken up
in Committee. When the Committee rose
he till was laid on the table by II majority
The House in Committee then took up the
Senate's amendments to the Army bin, adopt-
ng the appropriation of 227 200, balance due
from the war OF 1872. The
were disposed of, but the bill was
lot finally acted upon. After voting $4,000 |
o pay the expenses of the Investigating Com |
nIttee, the House adjourned.
MARCH 2.-In the Senate, the bill TO carry |
nto effect the treaty with China was passed |
The Miscellaneous Appropriation bill was ta-
Ken up. 1t embraces total amount of S. |
;f5, 600. Mr. Simmons moved an amendment |
providing for home valuation of imports |
,ut after debate ii was lost. Mr.. Hunter NOV |
ID that the President be authorized to issue
Treasury \ otes for twenty millions at six per |
:cnt interest, which was adopted, 2l to TO- |
An amendment of $3.50, 900 for the New Or |
cans Custonl-IIousc was lost, ID to Q. Also |
$3.50, 900 to complete the Washington Aque- |
luct. In the House, the Senate resolutions |
the President to confer on Com |
nodOre Stewart the commission of Senior |
flag Officer Of the Navy was adopted. The
Iouse then took up the Senate's amendments
o the Army bill, and disposed of them accor-
ling to the discretion of the Committee of |
he Whole. The bill extending the laws and
JUDICIAL system over Oregon was adopted.
1r. Davis OF Indiana asked leave to introduce
bill repeating the restrictive clause in the
>aHsas act. Mr.. English thought it was too
ate in the session. Mr.. Davis moved 4 sus
ension of the rules, on which the vote was
90 to 81 but, not being two thirds in favor.
he rules were not suspended. The vote on |
he Mail Steamer billwas reconsidered. and
he bill was again rejected-66 to 81. The
louise concnrred in the report of the Confer
nee Committee on the Executive Appropria-
ion bill. One OF these amendments restores
ne mileage for the next Congress, which had
cen stricken out by the House Mr.. An
rews wanted to get up the River and Harbor
i'll, but finally withdrew his request During
le evening session, there was good deal of
oniusion about the right to the floor. in the
lidst OF which Mr.. Barksdale got single
rivate bill passed. The House then took up
le oenate's amendments to the Navy bill, in
ommittee, when there was some talk abont