The southern press., 1851-12-23
THIRTY SECOND CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION.
IN SENATE.
MONDAY, December %, 1851


MONDAY, December %, 1851.
After prayer and the reading Of the journal, tn,
following petitions were presented and referred
PETITIONS &C., Presented.
By Mr.. JONES, of Iowa, the proceedings of
railroad convention in that State, asking for the
right of way through the public lands also two
private petitions, of Mary Robinson and another
for pensions by Mr.. Downs, of w. G. Tem
pleton relating to mail contract.
Mr.. HUNTER, from the Finance Committee
reported resolution authorising said committee
to employ a clerk, which was agreed to.
BILLS, &C., INTRODUCED, READ SECOND TIME AMI
REFERRED.
By Mr.. DopGE, of Iowa, resolution for the
relief of Alexander p. Field also, bill granting
the right of way 10 the State OF Iowa, for rail
road, which was ordered TO be printed by Mr.
SEWARD, a bill for the relief of Thos. III. Leggett
by Mr.. SHIELDS, from the Committee on Public
Lands, a bill, granting certain lands to the State
OF Illinois by Mr.. MILLER, of New Jersey, bill
making an appropriation for the improvement OF
certain rivers and harbors by Mr.. MANGuM q
bill for the relief of j. r. Ryan.
FLoGGING IN THE NAVY.
On motion of Mr. HALE, his resolution calling
for information relative to hogging in the navy
was taken up, and by him so amended as to ask
for certain information relative to the proceedings
of a court martial in the case of w. r. Latimer.
In this shape II was adopted.
On motion of Mr. FELcH, an order was adopted
giving 500 copies Of the report of the superin-
tendent Of the Lake Superior mines to the Com.
missioner of the General Land Office.
PRIVATE CLAIMS.
On motion Of Mr.. PRArT, the resolution fixing
upon each Friday of the session for the special
consideration of private claims, was taken up.
The question being upon its passage,
Mr.. LAWS, of Massachusetts, made objection
u a. al. IL.
ton was unexpected AT the last session of Con
gress, more than one Hundred claims had been
favorably reported upon, but had not received any
action from the Senate one hundred more had
been unfavorably reported upon, and the reports
sanctioned. At previous session of Congress
two days in each week had been set apart for the
consideration of private claims. II day is not
fixed, they will never have hearing and as q
member of the committee on claims, he (Mr. p J
hoped it might be abolished, unless the Senate
would give its labors some consideration.
Mr.. DAVIS was also opposed to the resolution
He did not believe IL was calculated TO assist the
progress Of business. He thought 1t much better
to take matters up in the order they stand upor
the calender, than to make special assignments
IL day is assigned there will seldom be quo
rum in the Senate only those interested in par
tcuar bills will be here, and the business will b'
delayed instead OF expedited.
After some further discussion between Messrs
PRATr, ArcHisoN, Downs, and HAMLIN in favor
and Messrs. HUNTER and MANouM IN opposition
to the resolution, it was agreed to-al rising II
favor and 10 against.
CENSUS PRINTING,
Mr.. BRIGHT proposed to take up the resolu
providing ton for the printing of the 1th census
documents by Donaldson and Armstrong
Mr.. SMITH said that when this resolution wa
considered he wished to propose an amendment
which he was not now prepared to do. lie hope
il might be passed over for the present.
Mr.. BRIGHT. | will withdraw the motion
with the understanding that shall call il up to
morrow and on every subsequent day, until it i
disposed Of.
SPECIAL ORDER.
Mr.. FOOTE'S resolution recognizing the com
| prom Use measures of the last session as ia fna
adjustment" of sectional agitation, &C., came VI
in order for consideration
| Mr., HOUSTON spoke at length in opposition
to the resolution, viii h, he said, for several day
past he had wis ed might be disposed of wIthou
! further debate When he first met with it her
| in the Senate, il was a matter Of astonishment q
| him. He had expected nothing Of the kind woul,
now come up here The general aspect through
out the country was favorable to eace and har
mony, and he had hoped that no further actor
| to interrupt il would have been interposed here
| For himself, he could truly say, that, on th'
compromise measures adopted at the last session
he occupied no equvocal position, inasmuch al
he alone of the senators nov present had voted
Tor every one Of those measures as they came up
this he, together with senator from Pennsyl
vania not now a member, alone had done. II,
(Nr II y did not wish to conceal or smooth ove