Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-02-24
ru1KrY-s1xrM CONGRESS.
THURSDAY, Feb. %

THURSDAY, Feb %.
SENATE.
The CHAIR laid before the Senate a petit
ton from the citizens of Jefferson, asking for
territorial organization. Referred.
Mr.. HAMLIN presented petition in favor of
the homestead bill.
Mr.. SEWARD presented memorial from the
chamber of commerce of New York. in rela-
ton to damages sustained by vessels at sea.
Referred.
Mr.. SUMNER introduced a resolution, that
the president communicate any information in
his possession, in regard to the occupation of a
certain island in the West Indias by American
citizens. Adopted.
Mr.. PUGH reported bill in relation to boun-
ty land warrants, which prevents assignment
in location ofland. The bill passed.
Mr.. HALE's resolution of inquiry, offered
Tuesday in relation to the conduct of Peru in
carrying out treaty stpulations, was adopted.
Mr.. Brown introduced a bill to punish of
fences against slave property in Kansas. Re-
ferred to the Committee on Territories.
Mr.. IvERsoN reported a large number of
private bills, which had been acted on by the
Court of Claims.
Mr.. MALLORY reported .jont resolution
authorizing Captains Hudson and Sand to ac-
cept certain testimonials from the government
of Great Britain. Passed.
MI. SdANOLEh tllUNSu " ldhC up 10
improve the St. Clair flats.
Mr.. SLIDELL moved the regular order of
business. The President would undoubtedly
veto the st. Clair bill, if it passed. His bill
to prevent the issue Of small bank notes in the
District of Columbia was therefore of more
practical Importance.
Mr.. CHANDLER said, all that was asked was
a small appropriation OF ifty-five thousand
and twenty seven dollars to complete the work,
and render this passage navgable for the
commerce of the lakes was more important
than any bill now before the Senate. If We
toed, he expected to pass it over the veto. He
moved to take it up. Lost.
On motion of Mr.. DooLITTLE, it was order
ed, that when the Senate adjourn tomorrow,
it adjourn till Monday next
MIR. DooLITTLE gave notice, that on to-mor-
row he would speak upon the action of Wis
consn in regard to fugitives from service.
Mr.. HAMLIN moved that the Senate meet
hereafter at twelve o'clock instead of one.
Lost.
The bill to authorize the sale of public arms
to the several states and territories, and to
regulate the appointment of the superintend-
ents Of public armories was taken up. The
bill provides that upon application of the au-
thorites of the state, arms may be sold to
them, and that the superintendent of the ar
mories hereafter be selected from the officers
OF the ordnance department.
Mr.. HALE opposed the latter clause. After
a great deal OF deliberation, Congress had au-
thorized the election of civil officers for those
places which were nothing more than manu-
factories of arms. He had no feeling on the
subject, but was approached last session by
civilians and military men, who favored giving
the superintendency to civilians.
Mr.. DAVIS replied, and pointed out the evils
nf trivinU IN civilians the rharpp of matters of
military nature.
Mr.. FEssENDEN said he had always been in
favor of giving these posts 10 military men,
and would vote for the bill.
Me. HALE thought the whole difficulty grew
out of bad appointments at Springfield. They
had appointed clergyman as superintendent
of the armory, because he was politician.
Mr.. PUGH thought the army had possession
of sufficient number of the departments of
this government Better give them the pos
session of the whole administration.
After further debate by Messrs. Mason, Fes.
sender, and others-in which an opinion was
expressed by Mr.. Mason, that it military
man had been in charge, John Brown would
have never taken the armory at HarperS Fer
ry-further consideration of the bill was post
poned.
The Senate then took up the bill to prohibit
the issue of bank notes in the District Of Co.
lumbia.
Mr.. BAYARD moved to amend SO as to pro-
hibit the circulation of bank notes from abroad
of a less denomination than fifty dollars. Car
ried.
Mr. DAVIS moved to strike out $50 so as to
prohibit altogether the circulation of bank
notes in the District. Carried by yeas 36,
nays IL.
Mr.. CHANDLER moved TO strike out the
whole section in relation to the circulation of
bank notes from abroad 1t was an absolute
necessity that hotel keepers and other business
men should receive bank notes, and therefore
it was useless to impose penalties which could
not be enforced.
Mr.. PuGH wanted to drive out the circula-
ton of bank notes in Virginia and Mary land.
1t was trick Of the banks to obtain circula-
ton as far from home as possible. There is
no necessity for the circulation of bank notes
here.
- Mr.. KING was in favor of $40 notes as the
minimum and would vote to restore that fea-
ture to the bill
Mr.. CnANDLER's motion was rejected.
Adjourned.
Tue SPEAKER laid before the House to-day,
a message from the President enclosing four
memorials from residents of Kansas and Ne
braska. at or near the eastern slope OF the
Rocky Mountains. They invoke the inter-
cession of Congress for the extingulshment of
the Indian title to the lands, and ask for the
establishment of an assay office, and the crea-
ton of a territorial government, composed of
parts of New Mexico, Utah, Kansas, and Ne
bfaska and that an enabling act be passed for
this purpose; and that a census be taken.
They represent that their increasing popula-
ton makes this important. The President, in
accordance with the request of the memorial.
lists, presented these memorials, with special
message, recommending that such provision
be made for their protection as the exigencies
may require. The memorials were referred
to the Committee on Territories.
JOHN COCHRANE had resolution to intro
duce, and presumed that it would not meet
with solitary objection it was in the nature
Of compliment to the Seventh Regiment of
National Guard of New York The resolu-
ton read as follows:
"Resolved, That the door-keeper be instruct.
ed to provide places for the Seventh Regiment
OF New York, in the gallery of the House.
they having visited the city, on the invitation
of the committee of arrangements, to partici-
pate in the proceedings attendant on the inau-
guration of the equestrian statue of Washing.
ton and also places for all other regiments
aud companies now here"
The resolution passed unanimously, and
many of the National Guards subsequently
occupied the front of the gallery.
There was call of the House preliminary
to proceeding to the election of printer.
Mr.. KILGoRE moved a further postpone
ment till Monday.
Mr.. BRANCH hoped not. 1t was disgraceful