The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-20
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION.
THURSDAY. DKcEMBER 10, 1850
SENATE.

r..
The Hon WILLIAM X. SEBASTIAN, of Arkansas,
appear red to- day,
IMPROVEMENTS OF SAvIoATtoN.
Mr. UNDERWOOD presented the petition Of
Charles Elicit, jr., praying that Congress would
make an appropriation to enable certain expert
ents TO be made with view TO ascertain the prac-
ticability of improving the navigation OF the west
ern rivers. He moved that the memorial be refer
red to a select committee such having been the
course adopted at the last session.
Mr. DAVIS, of Mississippi, said that the subject
had been referred select committee at the last
session, and il was reported An appropriation
was made and it was better TO wait the result of
the experiments. He moved that the memorial be
laid on the table; which was agreed to.
u 6. COURTS IN VERMONT.
Mr. PHELPS introduced bill to change the
place for holding the United States circuit and dis
trct courts for the district Of Vermont Read twice
and referred the Committee on the Judiciary.
U. s. COURTS PEsSsYLvASIA.
Mr. DAYTON introduced a bill TO change the
time for holding the United States circuit courts
of the and western districts Of Pennsylvania
o. g. COURTS IN TENNESSEE.
Mr. BUTLER, from the Committee on the Judi
ciary reported back the bill 10 change the time for
holding the district court of the United States for
the eastern district of Tennessee. And the bill
considered in Committee Of the Whole and report
ey TO the Senate The bill was then postponed.
AMENDMENT TO THE RULEs.
Mr. HUNTER moved and the vote was recon
sidered by which the Senate adopted az sddi-
tonal rule the following
" No amendment shall be received to any gene
raj appropriation bill unless it be made TO carry
out the provisions of some existing law some act
resolution previously passed by the Senate dur
ing that session, or in pursuance OF an estimate
from the head Of come OF the departments; and no
amendment shall be received whose object Is 10
provide for a private claim, although the same
may have been previously sanctioned by the
Senate"
Al, HUNTER rnoved In amend the nronosed
rule by inserting after the word amendment the
following words, proposing an additional appro-
pration;" which amendment was agreed TO, and the
rule amended was then adopted.
CRIMINAL COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Mr. DAYTON from the Committee on the Ju
dietary, reported bill to increase the salary OF
the Judge OF the criminal court of the District Of Co
lumbia
COMMITTEE on PORTION RELATIONS.
Mr.. DOUGLAS asked that he be excused from
further service on the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions; which was agreed TO.
sIsDpo DOCUMENTS.
Tn. following resolution, reported yesterday by
th. Courlitte, on Printing, war taken up:
Resi- .o.a, at the Secretary Of the Senate be
directed " have bound, IN a manner superior 10
the ordinary lin ling OF Congressional documents,
che volume de up by the Reports OF the secre-
tarv of war &c, Of which three thousand adj
ditional copies we're ordered by the Senate on the
path July, 1856 provided the cost Of said binding
shall 81 thirty cents copy
Messrs WALKER and BENTON opposed the re-
solution, and Msssas. HAMLIN and BoRLAND
And then. on motion by Mr.. WALKER, the sub
ject was laid the table.
REMOVALS FROM OFFICE.
The resolution Of Mr.. BRADBURY, calling for in
formation respecting removals from office, coming
Mr.. wHiTCoMB moved and it was postponed
ill Monday.
THE PATENT LAWS.
The senate then proceeded, IN Committee OF
the Whole, 60 the consideration Of the bill TO amend
the act promote the progress Of the useful arts
This bill had been considered at the last sesson,
and had been amenoed in several particulars, when
il was re-committed to the Committee Patents.
That committee reported back the amended bill
with amendment in the nature Of substitute
for the whole bill
Mr.. TURNEY moved to amend the amendment
proposed by the committee, by providing in sub
stance that whenever n patcntce shall bring suit
against any one TO recover for an infringement d
a oatent right, the defendant IN such suit may sue
out writ Of 'e're feeias directed against 'ald
uatentee or person bringing such suit 10 try tn,
Validity OF the patent; and also that until suct
,cire faea, shall be determined, the original sui
shall be stayed.
,oent and also the whole bill Ne was of the opin
ION that the ordinary courts OF law were not TN
best tribunals to try patent cases Inc question
the validity Of patent involved nice points .
-cience and rnec hsnism, which could scarcely NEE
with proper and thorough Interrogation, and cor
rect judg ment in a court of law. he was inclined
10 prefer for the adjudication Of such cases spe
cial tribunal lie pointed out the difhc uities vhici
crnbarrass the court, bar, and jury, In the trial
such issues lie gave notice that he would ofier
.ul,-titute for the whole bill when il should arriv
at the proper stage.
Mr. TURNEY replied, urging that the courv
could not be more incompetent TO try cases OF tnl
nature than they were others which they oallJ
had before them. In many cases OF murder, wher'
"a, rueans uscd wac poison, where the woun'
Wa such ~ 10 require the opinions OF surgeon
upon 10 extent and character the courts and Jurie
hsd 10 depend, in = great measure, upon the opin
ions delivered by the scientific chemist or physi