Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-02-15
TH1RrY.sIxTH CONGRESS.

the Pacific, to regulate the pay of officers and
pursers of the navy, and for the extension OF
the preemption privilege to California. Res
olutions were offered directing inquiry as to
the cxpediency of establishing emi-weekly
mails between ST. Joseph, Missouri, and Pla-
cerville, and New Orleans and Ell Paso. A
resolution was adopted calling for all instruc-
| tions and dispatches sent to and received from
thelate Minister to China and the former Com
missioner. The Commissioner on Claims re-
ported large number of private bills which
have been passed upon by the Court of Claims.
| The Post Office appropriation bill was receiv
| ed from the House, and referred. In the House,
| the Post Office appropriation bill was passed.
| 1t appropriates the sum of 81 ,296 900 for the
| year 1859, six per cent. interest to be paid on
all sums due contractors, ana SO, 4OO, ,OO0 Tor
| the service of 1860. Bills were introduced
| providing for revision of the tariff, the pay
| ment Of outstanding treasury notes, and to
| authorize a loan. George Marston, of Now
Hampshire, was, elected Doorkeeper, and
| Joshua NJ. Lucas, of Illinois, Postmaster.
The House adjourned till Thursday, in order
| to enable the Speaker to arrange the standing
committees.
FEB. Tn the Senate, joint resolution,
passed on the last day of the last session, ap-
propriating money for the removal of the bar
| and distractions at the mouth Of the MiSsisSp-
p, was returned by the President, with mes
sage stating his objections to the same. Res
| olutions were adopted appropriating $4,000
for the relief of Commander III. j. Hartstene,
and authorizing Commodore ShubrlCk 10 ac-
cept sword from Urquiza. Mr.. Wilson
(Rep., Mass.) introduced resolution to ap-
point Committee to inquire into the extent
OF the power and patronage OF the President
ard Heads Of Departments respecting removal
from and appointment to office .and also wheth-
er any power or patronage is used to influence
the legislation of Congress, or elections, &c.
Tba
ported with amendments, taken up. At
ter some debate the consideration of the bill
was postponed, when the Senate went into eX-
ecutive session, and afterward adjourned.
FEB. SIN the Senate, joint resolution
was offered, and under the rule laid over, au
thorizing the Secretary of the Interior to make
arrangements for the dedication of the statue
of Washington on the 22d inst. and appropri-
ating $4,000 therefor. Mr.. Davis (Dem. ,MiSs)
reported In favor of printing 5O, 600 copies of
the reports of Messrs. Mordecai and Deafield,
of observations in the Crimea, at an expense
OF $50, 500. The report was rejected. res
olution was adopted to inquire into the expe
diency of establishing line of mail steamers
between San Francisco and China, via the
Sandwich Islands. Tie Post-Offce Deficiency
Bill was then taken up and amended, by re-
curing that the Post Office blanks shall
be printed by contract and by the lowest bid
der. The Senate then adjourned without dis
posing of the bill.
FEB. 9.-In the Senate, Mr.. Sumner (Rep..
Mass.) introduced resolution to inquire into
the eXpediency of further legislation for the
prevention of crime and violence on board our
merchant marine. debate was held On
motion to print the Patent-Ofice Report, in
which the Senate Printer difficulty was refer
red to. 1t was finally ordered to be printed,
one copy for each patentee. The Post-Offlce
Deficiency bill was then taken up, and debate
had on the proposition to grant six per cent.
interest to the contractors, which was finally
adopted. An amendment abolishing the frank
ing privilege, to take effect on the 10th OF
April, was adopted, and then the bill passed,
when the Senate adjourned. In the House,
Mr.. Sherman, Rep, Ohio, moved that the
House proceed to the election of Printer;
but, after debate, the House refused to second
a call for the previous question. On motion
of Mr.. Sherman, the election was then post
poned till Monday. On motion of Mr.. Hoard.
Rep. N. T., it was resolved to inquire into
the printing expenses, and provide modih-
cation of the rates paid, with view to greater
| economy. The Standing Committees were
announced by the Speaker. The Presidents
Message was received, and referred to the
Committee of the Whole on the State of the
Union. Several Democratic members, disli
king the positions assigned them on the Com
mIttees, asked to be excused from serving.
Notice was given of intention to introduce
quite number of important bills, and the
House adjourned.
FEB. 10.-Senate not in session. In the
House, Mr.. Morse, Rep, Me-, introduced a
resolution calling for copies of communica-
tions received from the British Government
since 1858, relative to the slave trade. Laid
over. Mr.. NJ. also moved an inquiry into the
expediency of prohibiting American vessels
from engaging in the cody trade or in trans
porting apprentices to the West Indies, which
was adopted. The Speaker laid before the
House a copy of the Wyandottc Kansas State
Constitution. Some time spent in discus
sing motion to appoint clerks to Committees,
when the House went into Committee on the
Presidents Message. The various subjects
were appropriately referred, the Pacific Rail-
road question being sent to select Committee
of fifteen. Mr.. Ferry, Rep, Conn, took the
floor to reply to assaults upon the Republican
party. Mr.. Regan, DEM, Texas, responded,
when the Committee rose. A memorial was
received from Mr.. Blair of Missouri, contest
| ing Mr.. Barrett's seat, and referred.
Fer. ll.-Senate not in session. In the
House, Mr.. Morrill,, Rep. Vt, presented me-
mortal from William A. Howard, contesting
the seat of Mr.. Cooper, Dem. Mich. Mr.. Nor
ris, Dem. H., moved call for information
respecting the appointments to and removals
from office in Illinois by the present Admins
tration. Mr.. Bark sdale, Dem Miss, objected
TO the reception of the resolutions, as being
out of order. John Cochrane presented the
resolutions of the New York Chamber of
Commerce relative to mail communication
with Mexico. The House then took up the
Post Office Deficiency bill. when the amend
ment aboishng the franking privilege was
discussed. N % conclusion was come to. and
the House adjourned.
HLEARFIELD RIFLE COMPANY-You
" will meet for parade drill at the Mt ,Joy