Clarksville Chronicle

XXXVTH CONGRESS—FIRST SESSION.
Monday's Proceedings.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 18.

Senate.—Mr. Seward presented a petition from 98 citizens of Phelps, New York, praying that some measures be adopted for the peaceful and gradual extinction of slavery by making compensation out of the public treasury. Laid on the table.

Mr. Harlan introduced a bill making a grant of land to Iowa of alternate sections to aid in the construction of railroads in that State.

On motion of Mr. Chandler, a resolution was adopted requesting the Secretary of War to furnish the Senate with statements showing the number of troops stationed in Kansas for each quarter from the 1st of January, 1855, to the present time.

A bill was passed giving authority to certain officers and men who were engaged in search of Sir. John Franklin to receive medals presented to them by the British Government.

House.—The following is the special committee to investigate charges against members or officers of the last House growing out of expenditures of the Middlesex Manufacturing Company's tariff fund: Messrs. Stanton of Ohio, Moore of Ala., Dunkiel of Penn., Wright of Geo., and Russell of N. Y.

A large number of bills were introduced and referred, among them one by Mr. Kelly to secure homesteads to actual settlers on the public domain.

Mr. Bennett, of New York—a bill to establish a railroad and telegraph to the Pacific for postal and military purposes.

Mr. Grow—a bill to prevent the future sale of the public lands by the proclamation of the President until the same shall have been surveyed at least fifteen years.

Mr. Dowdell—a bill to repeal fishing bounties.

Mr. Quitman—a bill to repeal certain sections of the neutrality laws; referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. Zollicoffer offered a resolution instructing the Committee on the Judiciary to inquire into the expediency of reporting a bill to regulate or restrain the immigration or importation of foreign paupers and criminals into the United States: adopted by 137 against 38.

A resolution was adopted providing for the appointment of a select committee of five to inquire into the accounts and official conduct of the late Doorkeeper of the House, with power to send for persons and papers.

Mr. Campbell asked leave to introduce a joint resolution authorizing the President to negotiate, through the State Department, for the acquisition of Canada Nova Scotia, and other portions of British North America, Cuba, and other islands adjacent, and to annex the same to the United States in the event of any acquisition. No portion to be admitted into the Union until it had sufficient population to send one member to the House of Representatives, or until the bona fide residents shall have had an opportunity of voting upon the constitution thereof, and of regulating their domestic institutions in their own way, subject only to the constitution of the United States. The introduction was objected to.

Mr. Giddings asked leave to offer a long preamble and resolution setting forth human rights as embraced in the Declaration of Independence, and declaring that the Supreme Court in the Dred Scott decision had unjustly assailed the learning, intelligence, and christianity of distinguished revolutionary patriots and brought discredit on the judiciary of the United States.

Mr. Harris of Ill., objected to thus getting in an hour's speech under the guise of a joint resolution.

Mr. Bocock wanted to know whether the hour rule applied in this case [Laughter.]

Objections were made to the introduction of the resolutions.

Mr. Humphrey Marshall asked but failed to obtain leave to offer a resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States providing that only native-born citizens and those naturalized according to general naturalization laws shall be deemed qualified electors under the Constitution. Adjourned.