Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-03-14
THIRTY SIXTH CONGRESS.

the President for copies of all correspondence
relating to the propositions on maritime law
and neutral rights by the Congress OF Paris of
the 10th April, 1856. The bill creating new
land district in Washington Territory was pas
sed. The bill relative to the treaty with Spain
was made the special order for the 10Th inst.
The bill authorizing the sale of arms to the
States was taken up, when Mr.. Fessendon,
Rep, Me-, moved an amendment prohibiting
any State or Territory from purchasing a
greater number than its population would JUS
tify. The hour for the special order, being
the bill to amend the act establishing the Court
of Claims, having arrived, no action was take
on Mr.. F.'s amendment, and the bill was laid
aside. The Claims Court bill being taken up,
| Mr.. Bayard, Dem, Del, explained it's proyis-
ions and advocated its passage. Mr.. Hale,
| Rep, N. H., moved an amendment requiring
that an appropriation be made by Congress
before any money is paid out of the Treasury.
Some discussion was had, when the motion to
| amend lost. Some other amendments
were proposed and made, when, alter discus
| sion, the Senate adjourned without dispoSing
of the bill. In the House, Mr. Millson, DEM,
Va, moved that the House proceed to the e.
| lection of Chaplain to officiate alternately
| with the one already chosen by the Senate.
A discussion ensued, in which much confu-
| sion and excitement prevailed, several gentle
men proposing to extend an invitation to min
| listers of all denominations to officlate alter
nately. But Mr.. Millson's resolution was fl
nally adopted. Mr.. Sherman, Rep, O., made
| an Intellectual effort to have the bill regulating
the mileage of members OF Congress reduced
to twenty cents per mile, straight line travel
| ing, taken up. He gave notice that he would
renew his motion tomorrow. He also asked
| consent TO move that the subject of Pacific
Railroad be referred to Select Committee of
fifteen he declining to serve on the Commit
| tee. Mr.. Curry, DEM, Ala, objected. Mr..
). then moved a suspension of the rules,
which was agreed to, and the motion adopted
Mr.. Burroughs, Rep. N. Y, asked consent to
move the appointment OF committee of nine
to inquire into the expediency of aiding New
York in the construction. of a ship canal round
the Falls of Niagara. Objections were made.
| Mr. Barksdale, DEM, Miss, asked leave to of
| fer resolution fixing on the 4th of June as
the day for the adjournment of Congress. Mr..
| Grow, Rep, Pa. suggested as amendment
/ that Congress adjourn when all its business is
| transacted. The House refused to entertain
! the proposition. Mr.. Covode, Rep, Pa, ask
! ed leave 10 offer resolution for the appoint
ment of a Committee of five for the purpose
| OF investigating whether the President or any
| other officer of the Governments has, with mon
ey, patronage. or any other improper means,
| sought to influence Congress or any Commit
| tee thereof with regard to the rights of the
| States or Territories, and also to make invss-
tgatlon into number of matters connected
| with Government. Mr.. Florence. DEM, Pa,
objected to the introduction of the resolution,
as also di d a number Of other Democrats. The
| suspension Of the rules was moved amid much
| excitement, when the House agreed to the
motion, and the resolution adopted. Mr..
| Reagan, DEM, Texas, offered joint rcsolu-
ton that the sum of $4,000, 900 be placed at
the disposal of the President, to defray the
| expenses of the volunteer forces to be called
into military service on the Rio Grandc from
| tier. The resolution was referred to the Com
mittee on Military Affairs, when the House
adjourned.
MARCH 6.-Thc Vice President sent to the
| Senate certified copy OF the Kansas Consti-
! tuition. Mr. Brown, of Miss, addressed the
| Senate at length on his resolution relative to
| the Territories, showing wherein he differed
from the majority of his party. Mr.. Fitch,
DEM, Ind, replied. The Senate agreed to
visit Mount Vernon next day. In the House,
Mr.. Schwartz, OF Pa, endeavored to introduce
a resolution, directing an inquiry into the ex-
pediency of restoring the compensation of
members OF Congress, and reducing the allow
ance of mileage, but objections were made.
| Rev. Ihos. Ii. Stockton, of Philadelphia, was
elected Chaplain on second ballot being ia
ken, by majority of 16. On motion of Mr..
! Sherman, the Congressional mileage bill was
taken mp and passed by vote of 154 to 16.
This bill will reduce the mileage paid men,
bers about one-half, should it pass the Senate,
which is extremely doubtful. Mr.. Hoard Of
fcred resolution calling for select commit
| tee to inquire into certain statements made by
Messrs. Adrain, Haskin and Hickman, last
December to the effect that the President had
endeaVored to bribe them from their course of
duty. After an exciting debate the resolution
was adopted.
MARCH 7.-Mr. Seward presented to the
| Senate petitions for the Homestead bill and
for protection on coal and iron. The bill,
making appropriations to carry into effect the
treaty stipulatons with the Indians OF Oregon
| 1Sh NJ do Of
Ohio, spoke at length on Browns Territorial
resolutions. Mr.. Toombs, of Ga, who con-
/ sdered himself misrepresented, reiterated his
position. In the House, Mr.. Thayer reported
against Mr.. MoIrilI's Agricultural bill, the
consideration of which was postponed. Mr..
Aldrich, of Minn., endeayored to obtain con-
| sent, but tailed, to introduce resolution di-
recting inquiry to be made into the expedien-
cy of removing the National Capitol to some
point west of the Mississippi. Messrs. Van
Wyck, of n. Y, Perry of Me-, and Moorhead
of Pa, made speeches in Committee of the
| Whole.
MARCH 9.-Mr. Thaddeus Hyatt, who had
refused to appear before the Senate Harper's
Ferry Investigating Committee, was brought
| in, and in response to the Vice Presidents
| inquiry, SAID he was ready to answer, present
| ing yolumnous document to be read as his
reply This was, on motion of Mr.. Mason,
Dem., Va, sent to the Clerk to be read,
| when the reading was interrupted by Mr.. Ma
son, who regarded the paper not SO much of
an answer as an argument. Debate ensued
upon the objection, and Mr.. Trumbull moved
that the paper be referred to the Committee,
and Mr.. Hyatt remanded. Further discussion
was had. and Mr.. T.. withdrew his motion,
when it was renewed by Mr.. Benjamin, DEM.
La. But the Senate ordered the paper to be
read by yeas 40 against nays p. After the
reading was completed, Mr.. Mason recapitula-
ted the facts of Mr.. Hyatt's summons and ar