The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-10-03

claim, was passed-yeas I42, nays 20.
The Fortihcssion bill was passed.
The bill granting lands TO the several States
for the relief and support Of the INDECENT insane
persons was taken up
Mr. Bissell explained the provisions Of the bill.
IL appropriates 6OOOO 900 Of public lands, to
be divided among the States in the compound
ratio of their geographical limits and their rep
resentaton in the House Of Representatives; the
area of no one State to be computed at more than
fifty thousand square miles The lands are not
TO be sold at less than the minimum price and
the proceeds are to be invested in the United
States or State stocks TO be forever kept as per-
manent fund
After remarks by several gentlemen,
Mr. Burt moved TO lay the hill on the table ;
but the motion did not prcvail--yeas -, nays l07
Pending the question on the engrossment of the
bill, the House adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1850
The House refused to order the bill for the re-
lief OF INDECENT insane TO a third reading, but
referred il TO the Committee Of the Whole on tho
state of the Union.
The House took up the bill amendatory to the
act providing for the better security Of passen-
gers on vessels propelled in whole or in part by
steam
Mr.. McLane, who reported the bill from the
Committee on Commerce. suggested various
amendments, which were agreed to; and il was
passed.
From the reading of the bill we learned that
II requires, among other things, that every steam
- ''~-jIe-s'irS-y,ic --s'~rs ct kAs TJssIp -.
shall be provided with life-boats, and a life-pre-
server for every passenger, always to he kept in
readiness for use no light combustible materials
shall be taken on board all boilers to be exam
lned every six months, and no more passengers to
be taken than certain superficial dimensions will
warrant. The act to take effect from and after
the LIST of April, 1851
The Army Appropriation hill was taken up in
Committee Of the Whole on the state Of the
Union and debate took place on the general
subject of extravagance, retrenchment, &c.
! Mr.. Bayly called attention to the condition of
the Treasury, and was proceeding to speak Of
the sums in the several Appropriation bills, when
! Mr. Bissel asked what was the entire amount
appropriated thus far, for everything?
Mr. Bsyly replied, forty-one million four hun
dred and seventy-sx thousand dollars This did
not include the ten millions in the Texas Bound
airy bill, nor the amendments 10 the Navy bill,
nor did it ipclude the million put into the Civil
and Diplomatic Appropriation bill by the Sen
ate; nor the amendments TO the Indian Appro-
priatioD bill A voice; And they amount TO
million Such being the amount of the appro-
priatious, he turned. TO the, condition Of the
( Treasury. The actual receipts last year from
all sources, were forty-three millions four hun
dred thousand dollars The receipts this year
| for reasons which he stated can hardly be as
large MS they were,hs last And this beies The
condition Of the Treasury, If the House did not
resist extravagant appropriations he desired tn,
country TO know what would be the consequence
After most confused, disorderly, ill-tempered
and barren session, in Committee and out, thu
House adjourned at n late hour.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 90, 1850
The Army Appropriation bill was amended il
| Committee of the Whole on the state of thu
Union, reported and finally passed
The House resolved itself into Committee o
the Whole on the state of the Union, and took NJ
the Civil and Diplomatic Appropriation bill will
the amendments of the Senate. Ii refused t.
concur in the Seuate's amendment striking GU
| the mileage reform clause But the furthe
transaction of business was prevented by the wan
of a quorum, and the House adjourned.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 81, 1850.
Mr.. Wentworth rose to a privileged question
and asked leave to make n report from the Com
mitce on Printing 1t ought, he said, to be reao
before certain amendment to the Civil and Di
plomatic bill is acted upon, that relating to com
pensating the public printer
The Speaker said that the report could be mad
only by unanimous consent.
Mr.. Wentworth. ! want it read
MIR. Bayly. ! object
MIR Wentworth. IL is all-important at thi
| time.
Mr. Bayy moved that the House resolve itsel
| into Committee of the Whole on the state o
| the Union
Messrs Wentworth and Orr expressed tn
hope that the motion would he voted down.
The a,.rstio.s then taken, anu decided /
the aiiirmative-yeas SO, nays 10 and the ious
resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole Q
the state of the Union.
After some discussion on the Civil and Dipl
matte bill, the Committee rose, and MIR. Bayl
submitted resolution TO close debate in fe
minutes after the House went again into Con
mittee.
Mr. Orr of South Carolina protested agan
this attempt to cut off discussion, when one
the amendments of the bill related to the publ
printing, on which committee stands ready {
make report containing facts all-important
be known before u vote was taken
The House, however, passed the resolution, re
fused to allow the report to be made, and wen
again into Committee.
The following amendment was non-concurre'
in, viz:
aFor the extension of the Capitol accordin,
to such plan as may he adopted by the Joint Com
mittee on Public Buildings Of both Houses o
Congress, two hundred thousand dollars. Th
appropriation to be expended under the direction
of the President of the United States, who shall
be authorized to appoint an architect to carry on
the plans which may be adopted as aforesaid"
On the amendment making an appropriation fol
surveys on the Ohio river, Mr. Bissell moved
proposition embracing appropriations for river,
and harbors
The Chair ruled il out of order, and was sus
tanned on an sppeal-yeas ~, nays Ga
The amendment was then nome oncurred in
The amendment of the Senate 10 the Civil and
Diplomatic bill being under consideration, to in.
demnify the public printer for losses sustained In
| the execution Of the printing of the two Houses,
and releasing him from his contract, &c, a
warm debate ensned, involving the subjects
of the losses and profits Of Mr.. Richie, and bis
general designs in bidding through his agents, for
| the work
Finally after being amended, the proposition
| of the Senate was noD-concurred in.
The Committee, having disposed Of all the
amendments, rose when, under the operation Of
the previous question, their action was concurred
in by the House.
An adjournment took place at halfpast twelve
o'clock, A. M.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2S, 1850.
Mr. Hunter reported back from the Committee
on Finance the Army bill, without amendment.
The Senate took up the Civil and Diplomatic
bill, returned from the House with amendments
and resolved to insist upon its own amendments
The bill relating TO the safety OF passengers on
| board steamboats, was postponed till next session
| A message was received from the House, an.
nouncing its concurrence in the amendments oil
the Senate TO the Land Bounty BILL except "a and
9th, extending the boupties TO the officers and
seamen Of the navy and marines
I The naval appropriation bin was considered
and several amendments rejected.
Mr. Mason moved TO strike out the proyiso, IN.
serted by the House, abolishing iioggiDg in the
| navy.
A short, spirited debate sprung up, ia which