Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-04-05
Proceedings Of To-Day.

In THE SENATE, to-day, Mr.. Wilson offered 2
resolution that the Committee on Military flair;
be instructed to inquire whether any contracts
have been made by the War Department for iron
Tor pubic buildings, shot, shell, and gun car.
rlaSes for the army, without authority of law;
and If 80, the amount furnished and the prices
paid therefor and authorizing the commi ttee to
send for persons and papers.
MIR. Mason moved to take up the Joint resolution
providing for the reception Of the Japanese en-
bassy; so ordered, and the resolution was passed
The Indian appropriation bill being taken up
on motion of Mr.. Hunter
Mr.. Latham offered an amendment to give the
management of California Indians to the State of
California on proper conditions and terms par
tcuiarly advantageous to the General Govern
ment.
Ehlr. Latham argued at considerable length that
II the State had the management of the Indians
within their borders, 1t could manage them in a
much more effective and economical manner than
tue General government can do it, and at the
same time do complete justice to the Indians
The special order, the Homestead bill, coming
up, our report closed.
HousE.-Mr Sherman, from the Committee of
ways and Means, reported bill making appro-
priatlon for the service of the Post Office Depart.
ment during the fiscal year ending Both of June,
1861; referred to the Committee Of the Whole on
the state OF the CniOn.
The House resumed the consideration of the
anti polygamy bill.
Mr.: Nelson who yesterday Welded for a motion
TO adjourn, continued the remarks commenced by
Kim at that time. He argued that Congress had
the rig BIT to declare that act crime which had so
been declared by the law of God; and he differed
with the gentleman from South Carolina, (Mr
keltt, who drew a distinction between y1uIunl in
Sc and NAHUM prohi6ita, and held that polygamy
was not only crime in itself, but one that was 10
be prohibited by Cong ressionsl Legislation.
In conclusion, he said that the existence Of thi s
evil in tab was reflection upon the moral sell.
hment OF the whole country, and a disgrace to
the intelligent and viItuous women of our land,
who nursed them in their infancy, cared for them
In their manhood, attended them In their sick
ness, and strewed fl ,wers upon their graves
Mr.. Hooper, the Delegate from Utah, said at the
proper Tune, which would soon come, and when
be could be heard without prejudice, he would
defend the people of Utah from the calunuies
which had been beaped upon them. In the mean
time he appealed to the dispass onate and un biased
Judgment of the House to think better of the one
hundred thousand Of their fellow-creatures than
they had been represented by their enemies
1t was not his intention to discuss the peculiar
features of the bill; but he respectfully asked the
gentlemen We're they prepared to meet the conse-
culties with the people at whom this Bill was lev
eled He warned gentlemen that the feelings of
the people of Utah were easily aroused
The suspicion Of hostilities against them had
been aildyed; and be was glad to know there was
better feeling now than formerly. But if this
bill be passed, if its provisions be carried out,
those angry passions will revive, and wither at
the core.
III iCPy. tuc1tiou pfopOun0e0 bV r.
Clark, Of Mo-, he said that from an observation
Of ten years res dence in Utah, he could saw tina.
not over one half Of the population Of Utah were
Polygamists, and probably not more than half of
them have more than one wife each He knew
Of no church regulation that compelled lwomen
to marry; she was left to exercise her own free
will In the matter
The House then proceeded to vote upon the bill
and pending amendments.
The first amendment was agreed to-
The second mr.. Branch's) amendment was re-
jected-yeas AZ, nays Isl.