The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-17
IIRTY.F RST CON RESS.
in SENATE.
MONDAY, Dec. lG. 1875


Mcssrs. CLAY, ATcHlsoN, and DOUGLAS APP
pearcd in their seats to-day
The CHAIR laid before the Senate a commu-
nicntion from the Treasurer of the United
States, covering statement Of the receipts and
expenditures Of the Post Office Department for
the last fiscal year.
Petitions were presented by Mcssrs. BELL
JEFFERSON DAVIS, DODGE of Wisconsin, Ur,
HAM, BORLAYD, and Mason.
Mr.. WINTHROP presented petition from
the Peace Society of Massachusetts, recoul-
mending measures for the preservation peace
among the nations Of the earth. Referred to
the Committee on Foreign Relations
MISSOURI RAIL ROAD.
M SHIELDS introduced bill granting the
right of way, and portion of the public lands
along the line to aid in the construction of q
rail road from Hannibal to- st. Josephs in tn,
State of Missouri.
DISTRICT LJNATICS.
Mr. WlIITCOMD offered resolution calling
upon the Secretary Of the Interior for the num-
Der of insane persons sent out Of this District,
to be supported elsewhere, and the expense OF
the same. Lies over.
AUSTRIA AND HUNGARY.
Mr.. CASS offered resolution calling upon
the President for the correspondence, if any,
between the United States Government and the
Austrian Minister, i'll reference to the special
agent sent out hy the late Administration to
Hungary, pending the war between Austria and
tlc Hungarian people. The resolution lies over
one day.
CENTRAL PACIFIC RAILROAD, AND NATIoHAL
HIGHWAY.
Mr.. BENTCN, pursuant 10 notice, introduced
Il bill providing for the construction Of Il central
national railroad from st. Louis, across The
country to San Francisco and also for the con-
Structon Of a national central common highway
alongside the railroad throughout its whole cX-
tent: aud for branches from the main line to
Oregon aud Santa Fe, Of similar improvements
Mr. BENTON explained his bill. 1t proposed
the erection of a great national central sailroud
from st. Louis to the Pacific ocean; to BE- built
by the Government for the benefit Of the people,
The bill also provides for common highway
along the same route, fer ordinary travel Of all
kinds. 1t proposes one straight line from st
Louis to San Francisco, for 4 railroad md pub
lie hghway-and devotcs strip Of Land ore
hundred miles wide, to the uses Of the road. 1t
also proposes branch from the main line Of th.
railroad and common highway, southwark to
Santa Fe, and another branch from the main
trunk, northward to Oregon, and approprltcs to
cacn branch, a strip of land so miles wide.
i
the southern branch to Santa Fc, about 800,
the northern branch to Oregon 500. The whole
bill covers a direct appropriation to these several
roads Of lj000O,0O0 Of acres In addition to
this, the available revenue from al the public
lunds, is to be appropriated to the construction
of these roads and after the construction of the
roads, no higher tolls are to be charged upon
these railroads and their parallel common high
ways, than may be necessary to keep them in re-
pair. Mr.. BENTON spoke ut some length with
much animation and eloqucnct upon The i'm
mense advantages which must accrue to the
cuuatrv and mankind in the construction of these
magnificent roads upon the plan proposed. The
bill was reported to the committee Oh roads and
canals
INDIVIDUAL LIABILITY.
The Senate took up the bill to extcId the
charter Of the Georgetown d. G.. Potomac Insu.
rance Company; the question being upon an
amendment by the House making the stockhold
crs individually liable for the debts of the cor
poralion.
Mr.. MASON proposed TO amend this amend,
ment by limiting the liability Of each stockhold-
or to the amount Of stock which he holds in the
corporation.
An animated debate cnsued on the question
involved, in which Mcssrs Mason, BoRLAND
BADGER, CAss, BERElEN, CLEMENS, and MAN
GUM, took part.
The amendment of Mr. MASON was finally
agreed to-23 to 90
ACCEPTANCE OF THE TEN MILLIONS.
The CHAIR laid before the Senate n com
muncation from the President Of the United
States embracing the official information of the
acceptance by Texas of the indemnity Of ten
millions for the surrender of large tract of ter
ritory, ordered to be printed.
ANNUAL TREASURY REPORT.
The CHAIR laid before the Senate the an.
nua report of the Secretary of the Treasury or.
dered to be printed.
Mr.. MANGUM moved the printing Of 10000
extra copies for the use Of the Senate. Referred
TO the Committee on Printing.
And the Senate went into Executive session