Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-05-08
CONGRESS.


MONDAY, APRIL 29-Thc Senate.-The bill granting
alternate sections of public lands to the State of Illinois, to
aid in the construction of the Central Railroad was taken
up and debate arose which occupied the whole sitting
An amendment extending the provisions of the bill to the
Alabama and Mississippi Railroad, was agreed TO-
House Of Representaires-O motion of Mr. Cobb, the
bill granting bounty lands the officers and soldiers of the
Of lSl2l5 the Indian warsoflSl 1885, 1886, &c.,
and Gen. Waynes war, 1892 to 1875, made the spe-
cal order for third Thursday in June next
resolution passed for the appointment of select
committee to make investigation into all matters connected
with the present contract for printing.
The House went into Committee of the Whole on the
Census bill. Mr.. Moore, of Pa, Clarke, Carter and j
H. King, of New York, argued in favor of gathering the
most extensive statistics Messrs Stephens Kaufman and
Woodward argued against the consttuonalty Of any ac
for gathering statistics of the property and industry of the
country.
TUESDAY, APRIL 30.-IHe Scnae-The Senate re-
sumed the consideration of the bill grant lands and give
the right of way in public lands, in aid of the Central Rail
road Of Illinois.
long discussion followed on the subject of the proper
disposition Of the public lands Mr. Dayton offered ar
amendment to the bill, the old distribution act of l64l-
Mr. Benton urged that the lands should be ceded to the
States in which they lie Mr.. Turney, Mr.. Dawson ant
others advocated division Of the proceeds of the sales
the lands among the States. MIR. Hunter opposed the dis
ri6utlon policy.
House Of Representalires-A resolution was passed
close the debate The bill, at O'Clock Wed
nesday. The House then went into Committee of the
Whole the bill-and number of Speeches were made
The chief objection urged the bill the minute sta
ca information required to he taken which, il was argued
was unconstitutional and nexpedient.
| WEDNESDAY, May lst.-iSenatc.-The joint resolution
House
dent of the United States TO accept of the vessels fit
ting out in the port Of New York by Henry Grnne ESD
to be sent the Arctic Seas search for Sir John Frank
lin, was taken up and passed by the following yeas
%, nays 26.
House Of Representatives. House went into Com
mittee Of The Whole, and took up the Census Bill Messrs
Stevens, of Ga, and Thompson, Of Pennsyva concluded
the debate.
THURSDAY, MAY 2d.-Senate-The Vice President
gave notice that he was about leave the city, and should
leave the chair to day. Mr. Mangum took the chair al the
request of the Vice President
The Senate took up tho bill to grant the right of way
and government lands To the Stale of Illinois, in aid of the
continuation Of the Central Railroad.
Mr.. Dayon's amendment, providing for the distribution
of the proceeds othe sales of the public lands among the
several States, rejeced-yeas II, nays %.
The BILL amended, was finally passed-yeas % nays
IA. Adjourned 10 Monday
House Of Representatires-Mr Stanton of Tenn, from
the Committee on Naval Affairs, reported bill concerning
the American frllne Merluan When lie asked lgnt Oe
put on its passage. Referred TO the Committee Of the
Whole.
Nj. Buel, from the Committee on Foreign Affairs re-
ported joint resolution as follows That the free naviga
ton Of the St Lawrence river for commercial purposes de-
mands the earnest attention Of the American Government
and that it is highly desirable that be secured to Amcr
commerce at an early day. Referred 10 the Committee
of the Whole.
! The Hulse then went into Committee Of the Whole on
the Census Bill and several unmportant amendments were
adopted.
! FRrpAY, May 3d.-The House occupied until 8 o.
clock in voting upon the Census Bill, which then laid
aside and the California message taken up.
Mr. Allmot made speech against the extension of
Slavery He denounced Souiheners arsosrats and ut
tery repugnant of true democracy.
Mr. Winhrop obtained the floor when the Committee
rose and the House adjourned to Monday.