The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-12
CONGRESS,
FIRST sLss o \.
IN SENATE.


IN SENATE.
THuxsDAr, Dec. IL, 1851.
The Senate met at ~ O'Clock, prayers were Of
fersd by the chaplain and the journal of yesier-
days proceedings read
Mr. JONES, Of Iowa, presented the memorial
of Col. r. M. JOHNSON, claiming compensation
for LOSSES sustained in the war of 1919,
Among the bills &c. introduced, read twice and
REFEREED were the following "A bill granting the
right Of way for railroad between Milwaukee
and the Mississippi river by Mr.. HUsrER,
hill relating 10 the payment OF Invalid pensions IN
certain cases by Mr.. HuNrER, bill grating
land for the improvement of the Fox and Wlscon-
sin rivers by Mr. FISH, bill to establish mint
at New York by Mr.. DAVIS, resolution reIa-
ting to the settlement of the accounts of Mexican
officers; by Mr.. BoKLAND, bill revising the laws
relating to widows pensions.
IMPROVEMENTS IN WASHINGTON.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD moved resolution in
siructing the committee the District of Column
ba TO enquire into the expediency OF reporting
bill to pave Penns yvania avenue from 18th street
To Georgetown, build bridge over Rock creek,
light the avenue by gas, and bring water INTO the
Guy The resolution was read and lad over.
COT. TALcorr's CASE.
MIR. FISH introduced resolution calling for
the papers aud proceedings of the court marshal
in the case Of Col. GEoRaE TALcorr.
Mr. HALE opposed it. The Senate had fire.
auently refused to take similar action when he had
Ii was 40 in the Somers case, where sailors had
been subjected to Internal and inhuman treatment
lie would not do for officers what was refused to
their subordinates.
After some conversation, the resolution was
adopted.
ADJOURNMENT.
Mr.. HALE moved that when the Senate adj
journs to day. it be until Monday next.
voices-No, no, no.!
The question taken by division, and the
motion rejected, l6t H.
ELECTION OFFICERS.
Mr. BRIGHT called % he resolution, intro
duced by him last week, restoring the 49th rule,
providing the time for going into the choice OF
Secretary, Doorkeeper and Sergeant-at-Arms.
The resolution was taken up, and Mr.. BMGHT
called for the yeas and nays the question of It's
passage. ~
Mr.. BERRIEN opposed the resolution. He
understood it was aiming towards change IN the
present officers, who had faithfully discharged
their duties for many years, and against whom
there was no complaint
Mr.. BRIGHT said that the proposition was to
restore the old rule, for the resembling of which,
at former session, upon the motion OF Senator
from Missouri (Mr. BENToN) he (Mr BMGHr)
had never been able to see any reason tie was
in favor Of the election OF all ofcers' ana opposed
TO any tenure Of Office which grants life estate.
Mr.. SHIELDS was opposed to change at this
time He did not wish to have the Senate turned
into an electoneering club. He thought change
now would prove inexpedient and bad tor the
democrats, although it might answer after Pres-
Dental election.
Mr.. HALE was also opposed to the resolution,
If considered, he should wish to amend 1t, so as
to include the presiding officer II we begin to
remove at all, let US begin at the head 1t is SAID
by the friends Of the resolution, that they are
only going to push great principle For one,
he lMr II } believed that it was bad way to
take the small characters to push against first, and
let the large ones 60.
Mr.. BRIGHT said, that it was not his inten-
ton in presenting the resolution, TO strike at any
particular officer His design was simply to
restore the old rule, the operation of which was
in unison and harmony with the principles of our
government Although he wished to strike at no
one, he was still of the opinion that there was no
reason for the resembling of that rule. Although
there might be objection to the present offcers,
vet there are others Just as well qualified to fulfil
their duties If the Senator from New Hamp-
shire wished to propose his amendment, he (Mr.
b. was prepaid to vote upon 1t.
Messrs. BADGER and BUTLER opposed and
Mr.. DOUGLAS spoke in favor of the resolution.
The question being taken by yeas and nays,
the resolution was rejected, 20 to %
Mr. ATCHISON said that having voted IN the
negative, for the purpose of giving the subject a
more full consideration, he would move recon
sideration, and also to lay this motion on the
table.
The motion was agreed TO.
ELECTION OF CHAPLAIN.
The Senate then proceeded to the election of a