Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-04-17

MONDAY, April g., 1860.-SenGte. "A resolu-
ton was introduced by Mr.. Sumner directing
the Committee on Foreign Relations to inquire
by what title or right the United States frigate
Saratoga had seized two vessels in the waters of
Mexico, brought them in to New Orleans as
prizes and imprisoned those on board. The
resolutions of Senator Davis were then taken
up, and the balance of the day consumed by q
speech from Mr.. Chestnut on the negro question.
House, Mr.. Hickman presented the report of
the Committee of the Judiciary on the Presi-
dents protest against the action Of the Oovode
Investigating Committee. The report condemns
the principles laid down by the President in his
protest, and declares that should the House a.
bandon the right to investigate the conduct of
the President, it would leave that department
of the Government without supervision or re-
sponsibility, and lead to the concentration of
power in the hands of the President dangerous
to the rights of the people. Mr.. Houston, from
the minority of the Committee, made a report
controverting the positions of the majority, and
sustaining the views expressed by the President.
Enthusiastically Sumner presented
the memorial of Mr.. Sanborn, protesting against
what he terms the attempt made to kidnap him
by an officer of the Senate. Mr.. Mason ex-
planned the reasons which induced the Commit
tee to desire the presence OF Sanborn as wit
pondence with the Harper's Ferry insurgents
The subject, at Mr.. Mason's instance, was lai1
over until the Sergeant Arms had made his
return. The Homestead bill was then taken up
and debated without action until the hour Of
adjournment. The debate was participated in
| by number of Senator'S, Mr.. Mason denouncing
the bill as an abolition measure.
| House.-Mr. Taylor Of the Judiciary Commit
tee, presented another minority report sustain
| ing the Presidents protest, The consideration
of the subject was laid oyer until Monday. The
I bill to admit Kansas into the Union as a State
was then taken up and warmly discussed. The
bill was opposed BY Messrs Clark, Of Missouri,
and Barksdale, Of Mississippi, and ADVOCATED by
Mr.. Grow, of Pennsylvania, and Mr.. Parrott,
the delegate from Kansas.
WEDNESDAY, A resolution was in
troduced by Mr.. Mason providing for an adj
ijournment of both Houses from the 10th to the
s0th day of April. A resolution was offered by
Mr.. Hale and adopted, to inquire into certain
alleged modes of tortue adopted in the Navy for
Furnishing seamen.since the abolition of fogging.
The Homestead bill was discussed by Mr.. John
son, OF Tennessee, and Mr.. Wigfall, Of Texas, and
the bill and amendments were referred to the
Committee on Public Lands
House.-The bill to admit Kansas as State
into the Union, was under consideration through
out the day. p ai ste alas9 n 1919
Mr.. Maynard, Messrs Smith and Garnett,
of Virginia, and Mr.. Quarles, of Tennessee, all
spoke against the bill, and Mr.. Cox, of Ohio and
Mr.. Gooch, of Massachusetts,, in favor of it,
During the discussion personal difficulty arose
between Mr.. Pryor and Mr.. Potter. The for
mer accusing the latter of interpolati 6 offensive
matter in the report of the recent Lovejoy diff
fculty. iFa
THURSDAY. 0te-Business relating to the
District of Columbia was disposed of.
| Mr.. Mason's proposition to adjourn from the
18th to the 30th of April, was withdrawn after
some discussion. 4s
House.--The consideration of the French Spo-
liation bill was postponed until the 9th of May.
The bill to facilitate telegraphic communication
with the Pacific was discussed, but finally laid
over, and the Tariff bill taken up. Mr.. Harde-
man, of Georgia, and Mr.. Davis, of Massachu-
sets, both addressed the House on the slavery
question, which is the only topic now discussed.
FRIDAY.-Sen0te.-Pri bills were under
consideration, as usual on Friday.
| Mr.. Sumner alluded to the case of Sanborn
again, and in the course of his remarks asserted
that Ex-Governor Wise had refused to appear
before the Committee, and had neither been
handcuffed nor kidnapped, although be was
known to be in the possession of facts relative
to the Harper's Ferry affair that he would not
disclose for rubies.
| Hogse.--Nothng of interest.
/ SATURDAY-Neither House in session,