Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-02-26
Thirty-sixth Congress Second se...e.-

TUESDAY,, Feb. 19th-In the o. S. Senate. IT,
day, number of petitions in favor of connro-
mise were presented, process which Mr.. John
son of Arkansas, with Senatorial eloonence. ani
dignity that must challenge instant admiration
described as of about the same use as to ssinf
psalms to dead horse" The Tariff bill wa,
farther considered and amended in various par
| ticulars.
In the House, Mr.. Fenton, Rep, presented res
olutions providing for the call of a National Con
vention. Mr. Stanton called up the bill author
izing the President to call out the militia of the
States to aid in the enforcement of the laws, anG
endeavored to pass it under the pressure of the
previous question. A strong opposition was
made BY the Southern members, who denounced
the bill as an act of coercion toward the seeding
States, and finally it was passed over until to-
morrow, when it will come up as special Or
der. me4 y s
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 20th-The United States
Senate to-day finally passed the Tariff bill. The
bill goes back to the House with numerous g.
mendments. Among those adopted by the Sen
ate yesterday was Que reducing the duty on su-
gar and placing duty on tea and coffee. and an
other placing duty OF five per cent. adj oalorem
on wool under eighteen cents per pound. The
Dill as passed by the Senate retains the wsrehons-
ing system OF the present tariff.
! 10 the House to-day Mr. B,cnck of " ro;nia
delivered an earnest remonsrrapce against the
bill authorizing the President, in certain contin
gencies to call out the militia forces of the States
He opposed it both on the ground OF the coercive
policy of which il was al indication, and also be-
cause OF Its effect upon The peace aud prosperity
Of the country. The bill lies over. The Naval
| bill was considered bot not iuaIly acted pppn
THURSDAY, FEB. 2lsi-The United States Sen.
ate to- day continued the discussion Of the bin for
the discontinuance OF postal facilities in the Sece
ding States under certain contingencies. With
outstaklng a vote the Senate went into executive
session and refused to consider the nomination IF
Judge Black as Associate Justice of the Supreme
Court. The vote was regarded as settling the
fact that his nomination cannot be confirmed -
1t is the general opinion that there will be no
more executive sessions during the remainder of
the term of the present Administration.
In the House the Select Committee of Five
submitted report in relation to the condition of
the Navy and the neglect of the Department to
prepare for the defence of the Atlantic Coast du-
ring the prevalence of lawless violence. They
also censure the Secretary of the Navy for accept
ing the designations of officers of the Navy who
were in arms against the Government. Mr..
Branch, of North Carolina, submitted minority
report. The consideration of the bill empower
ing the President to accept the service of the mill
ltla OF the States to execute the laws, suppress in
surrections or repel invasons, was then resum-
ed Mr.. Bocock, of Virginia, concluded his speech
against the bill, declaring that it war meas.
ure, and would be so regarded by all the South
| ern States. On motion of Mr.. Stanton, the mo-
yer of the bill, it was then postponed until next
Thursday. This is tantamount to an abandon
ment OF the bill, as st that late period of the ses
sion it will be next to impossible to force it
through either House.
The House then discussed and ordered the pre-.
vious question on the bill to pay the expenses of
Indian hostilities in Oregon and Washington Ter
ritory. and without coming to vote adjourned
until Saturday