Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-01-25
CONVERSATIONAL.

In TEE SENATE, yesterday, Mr.. Brown
presented . memorial from ]. E. Reside,
Jay Cooke, and W. W. Logan, of Philadel-
phia, asking the privilege of laying down and
using . double track railroad from the Navy
Yard gate, along Eighth street east to its
intersection with Pennsylvania avenue, along
said avenue to First street east, along First
street east to street north, along @ street
north and Indiana avenue to First street
west, with privilege Of q switch to the depot
Of the Washington and Baltimore railroad,
along First street west to the west gate of the
Capitol grounds, and thence alsng Pennsyl-
vania avenue and Fifteenth street to Fayette
street, in Georgetown.
After Mr.. Slidell had finished reading the
report of the Committee on Foreign Relations
in favor of the acquisition OF Cuba
Mr.. Mason said it did not follow that all who
concurred in report concurred in all the rea-
sons therein assigned. The report states that
| it is the policy Of this country to enlarge its
boundaries. He could not agree to this and
if that were the only reason for acquiring
Cuba, be should oppose it, He admitted that
there might be political necessity devolving
upon this country to become the owner of Cuba;
but expressed his regret that there should be
such necessity. Cuba must ultimately be q
part Of the United States of America; Of that
he did not entertain doubt. And, therefore,
he agreed to report the bill, because the Presi-
| dent has informed Congress that he deems it
| useless to renew negotiations for the purchase
of Cuba unless the power was given to him,
| should the contingency require it, to meet o
portion OF the expenditure in advance.
MIR. Seward then presented a report from
the minority of the committee composed of
himself and Mr.. Foote,) which disagreed with
the proposition of the majority, and proposed
another bill as a substitute for that of Mr..
Sldell. Mr.. s. stated his objections to the
| original bill at considerable length.
Mr.. Bsyard dissented from the view of Mr..
Seward, and regarded this mea,ure as involv-
ing not only the future interests of this coun-
try, but OF civilization. As regards the propo.
sition for the purchase of Cuba being an insult,
he could not so regard it. We have right to
Offer and they can accept our offer or refuse it,
as they please.
Mr.. Foot declared his hearty concurrence in
the remarks of Mr.. Seward.
Mr.. Toombs advocated the bill reported by
the committee, and answered some of the OBJ
Jections of Mr. Seward. As free and indie
pendent nation be held that we had a right to
offer to purchase Cuba, without asking leave
of an usurper of ten years standing, whose
power was only sustained by FIVE hundred
thousand troops. France and England had ne
business to interfere at all in the transaction;
and if they chose to make it a cause of quarrel
he was ready to meet them.
Mr.. Hale referred to the ancient friendship
| which had existed between Spain and this
country, and said ii was unmanly, now that
she is getting old and decrepid and has lost
almost all her possessions on this side of the
ocean, to try and rob her of that last bright
gem in her coronet.
On motion of Mr.. Slidell, the bill was made
the special order for Monday next at O'Clock;
and after the consideration of Executive bust
ness the Senate adjourned.
In THE House, yesterday, the vste to sus.
pend the rule to receive Mr.. Stephens resolu.
ton setting apart two days for Territorial
business, was los yeas, II nays-and the rules
were not suspended, as two-thirds did not vote
afirmatively.
MIR. Phelps, of Mo, introduced resolution
appropriating $4,000 to pay the expenses of
the Investigating Committees; passed
Mr.: Branch, of N. c., reported a bill, placing
$50, 900, 600 at the disposal of the President for
the acquisition Of Cuba, from the Committee on
Foreign Affairs minority report from the
committee was also presented, against the
proposition
The House further considered the Diplo-
matte Appropriation bill, without taking de-
cisive action thereon and after transacting
some other unImportant business, went into
Committee of the Whole, and adjourned until
o'clock.
In the evening session, Mr.. Davis, of Mass.
opposed the repeal of the fishing bounties law;
Mr.. j. Cochrane, favored the distribution of
the public lands to actual settlers; Mr. Avery
opposed European interference in the affairs of
this continent; Mr.. kellogg opposed the acqui.
sition OF Cuba, parts of Mexico, and of Central
America, just now; Mr.. Atkins demanded
protective tariff and the re-openiDg of the
slave trade.
Proceedings Of To-Day.
In THE SENATE, to-day, the Vice President
hi