The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-27
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS-.
IN s r N A II E.
Thursday. Dac

THURSDAY, Dec 26, 1850.
Aner prayer by the Rev. Mr.. Butler, and after
the reading of the journal Of Monday last by
the Secretary,
The CHAIR laid before the Senate a communi-
cation from the Home Department, covering a
trict, who are supported out Of its limits by the
Government Ordered to be printed.
ACQUIRING OVER DECLINED.
Mr.. MANGUM moved that when the Senate
adjourns, it shall ad journ over to Monday next.
He appealed to the Senate that there was barely
quorum present; and that all experience had
shown that there more spoliations committed
upon the public lands, and upon the public
Treasury with bare quorum present, than at
any other time. 1t is always the case on Christ
mas week that we have only QUORUM, and the
public interests the safest, with such thin at
tendance, lin adjourning over from time to time. We
find those senators all in attendance who have
particular local interests to look after; while
Of those members of the body, who are perfectly
dsinterested, are absent. For himself. he would
prefer a meeting of the Senate regularly every
morring-t varied the monotony Of the day; but
with so meagre quorom, he thought 1t the best
policy to adjourn over for day or two.
Mr.. WALKER said that this was the first time
that he heard senators lectured for their punctua
attendance upon the sittngs Of this chamber If
senators would prevent spoliations upon the pub
lie lands and the Treasury, they should be more
attentive to their public duties. He saw no reason
why the Senate should not pursue the business
before them to-day, tomorrow, and the next day.
And the objection of bare quorum came with an
i'll grace from the senator from North Carolina,
who ought to be himself oftener ir his seat. He
called for the yeas and noes.
Mr. MANGUM replied that he was as pune
tually in his place as any member Of the body;
and that therefore the remark Of the senator from
Wisconsin was perfectly innocuous.
With further narxs hetweap Mr. w
KER and Mr.. MANGUM, the question was taken on
adourning over to Thursday aud ost--16 to 30.
Petitions were presented by Messrs. UNDER
WOOD, FoOTE, SEWARD, SMITH, SoULE, SHIELDS,
BELL, and BRADBURY.
INVOLVEMENT OF ONO RIVER.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD, with an explanatory
speech upon the practcability Of supplying water
to the Ohio river in the dry season, from artificial
reservoirs at the head Of said river, introduced a
bill approprialing $4,000 for surveys to test the
practicability of this plan Of Mr. Elicit. Re-
ferred to the Committee on Roads and Canals.
Mr.. UN DERWOOD also introduced bill pro-
vdng for the recovery Of money improperly paid
by the Executive Departments. Referred to the
Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. CLEMENS introduced bill changing the
time of holding the United States district court
in the Stale Of Alabama, which was ordered to a
third reading.
AUSTRIA AND HUNGARY.
On motion Of Mr.. CASS, his resolution calling
upon the President for certain correspondence, #
any, between tue Austrian Minister and the Sec
rotary Of State, in reference to tie special agent
sent out by Gen. Taylor to Hungary during the
late revolution in that country, was taken up and
adopted.
CALIFORNIA LAND CLAIMS.
Mr. OWNS bill providing for a board Of
three commissioners for the settlement Of titles
and claims to land in California, growing out of
the Spanish, Mexican, or United States jursdic-
Mr. BENTON said that as the effect of this bill
would be to violate the treaty with Mexico-the
proclamation of Commodore Sloat-the proclama-
ton Of Commodore Stockton--the capitulation
of Cowena and would operate TO despoil the old
settlers Of their lands, he hoped it would not be
considered now. II was too large a subject for
Senate so thin. He moved, therefore, TO post
pone it to this day week.
Mr.. GWIN opposed the motion. California
wanted law on this subject. He was willing to
meet the responsibility Of this bill in its present
form. He believed that no citizen Of California
would suffer from it.
After some further remarks between Messrs.
FoorE and GwIN, on the one side, and Mr.. BAD
oER on the other, for the postponement the two
former gentlemen acquiesced, and the bill was
postponed to Thursday next.
And on motion OF Mr.. CLAY, who remarked
that the House had set the example, the Senate
agreed to adjourn over till next week.
And the Senate accordingly adjourned over to
Monday next