North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-03-08
THE LAST HOURS OF CONGRESS.

THE LAST HOURS OF CONGRESS.
We copy from the National Intelligencer of the 4th
instant the following b1ief statement of the action of
Congress during its last hours. If should receive
any further particulars before going press, shall
lay them before our readers:
In few brief hours after committing this paper
to the PRESS the Thrty-frst Congress will have end
ed, under the Constitutional Limitation to its existence.
Up to the hour of four o'clock this morning. it was
beyond human Presclence to tell what would be the
fate of the then before the Senate necessary
to carry on the Government-by which mean the
Appropriation Bills for the support of the various
branches of the public service, civil, military, and
naval. Up to that hour the Senate found itself, in
regard to the business before it, at substantially the
same point that it the djournment of the BODY
at the close of the last week-having resumed the
consideration of the River and Hnrbor Bill at the
opening of the sitting, and consumed its whole time
until the hour mentioned, in debating that bill, and
various amendments offered to 1t, and in taking the
yeas and nays thereon, and on successive motions to
lay it on the table, to postpone, &c.-all of which
were voted down by the friends of the bill 1t was
in short, struggle OF the minority against the major
ity, rather struggle between the two which should
rule. And an arduous struggle it was. Both parties
seemed determined to hang every thing else on the
fate of this o-the to pass, and the other TO de-
feat it. Finally at four o'clock this morning, with
having taken any recess since assembling yester-
day morning, an adjournment till o'clock was car
ried, on the motion of MIR. Bell, at which time the
consolidation of this bill is to be renewed, it having
The report in the preceding columns presents
summary of what was done in the House of Repre-
sentatves by the action of which body several i'm
portant bills became laws in the course of the dav
and night. Of such bills as have finally passed we
only enumerate, in addition to those announced
in our last paper, act to reduce the of post
age, which passed in the shape the Senate gave to
an act making appropriations for the Post Office De-
parment; an act to amend the act regulating the ap-
praisement of foreign merchandise; an act to found
military asylum for the support of invalid and dis
abled soldiers of the United States army an act 10
refund to the American Colonization Society certain
moneys expended by that Society for supporting re-
captured Africans taken in the barque Pons and an
act to settle private land claims in California
The House refused to suspend the rules (requiring
two-thirds vote) to take up the French Spoliaton
bll and of the bills granting lands for railroads
have been passed.
We understand that the President has summoned
the Senate to meet this day in extra session on
those nominations which it obvious last night
that body would be unable to touch before its ad-
journment this morning"
After a continuous sitting of twenty-five hours,
with the exception of brief recess by the House of
Representatives. the two Houses of Congress adj
journed sine die at noon yesterday.
Contrary to all appearance and anticipation at four
o'clock yesterday morning, when our last paper went
to press, the Senate, having laid by the River and
Harbor Bill for that purpose, proceeded to the consid
Grafton of various bills on its table; and if all was
not done that could have been wished all the meas
essential to the due action of the several Depart
ments of the Government were matured and became
laws. These comprehend the appropriation bills for
the various branches of the public service, which,
with such others finally acted on, will be
found in the List of Acts in another column Every
bill found in that list failed, of course receive
the sanctions of law.
The House of Representatives, less faithful in
the last hours of the session, also did its duty,
naming in session up the meridian hour.
And thus has been averted the possible necessity
for an Extra Session.
Whilst referring to an Extra Session as probable
contingency it is proper that should state that
we have TO doubt whether, under any circum-
stances, the expedent of Extra Session TO remedy
the non-action of Congress would have been resored
to by the Executive.
Previous to the adjournment of the Senate, vote
of thanks to the Hon. w. R. King, President of the
Senate, unanimously adopted, to which Mr.. King
responded in neat and pertinent speech and in the
House of Representatives like compliment
paid to the Hon. Howell Cobb, its Speaker, who also
made appropriate response.
Nat. L1teLhgencer Of Wednesday last.
We give below the titles of such public Acts, pass
ed by the late Congress, may be of interest 10
readers:
An act authorizing the payment of interest upon
the advances made by the State of Maine for the use
of the United States Government In the protection OF
the Northeastern frontier.
An act to authorize the Secretary of War to allow
the payment Of interest to the State of Georgia, for
advances made for the OF the United States In
the suppression of the hosties of the Creek Semi
mole and Cherokee Indians, in the years 1885, 1887,
and 1888.
An act to found a Military Asylum for the relief
and support of invalid and disabled soldiers of the
army of the United States.
An act making appropriations for the current and
contingent expenses of the Indian Department, and
for fulfilling treaty stipulaons with the various In
dian tribes for the year ending June 30, 1852.
An act making appropriations for the payment of
navy pensions for the year ending June 3d. 1852.
An act to supply deficiencies the appropriations for
the service of the fiscal year ending Both June, 1851.
An making appropriations for the support of
the Military Academy tor the year ending Both June
| 1852.
An act making appropriations for the payment of
revolutionary and other pensioners of the United
States for the year ending the Both June, 1852.
An act to settle and adjust the expenses of the
people of Oregon in defending themselves from the
of the Cayuse Indians in the years 1947 and
| 1913.
An act TO create additional collection districts in
the Territory of Oregon, and for other purposes.
An settle the private land claims In the State
| of California.
An act for the relief Of the American Colonization
Society.
An act making appropriations for the service Of
the Post Office Department during the year ending the
Both June, 1852.
An to reduce and modify the rates of postage IN
the United States and for other purposes.
An act making appropriations for the civil and d.
plomatic expenses Ct Government for the year ending
the 3Oth of June, 1852, and for other purposes.
fho to