The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-03-03
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
SECOND SESSION.
SATURDAY, MARCH /, 1851.
6 ZEN A TIE


The CHAIR laid before the Senate a communica-
ton from the President in reply to resolution of
the Senate, calling for information in relation -
certain alleged difficulties between the British
thorites and the government of San Salvador
which was read and laid on the table
STEAMERS AFRICA.
MIR. WALES presented the memorial of the Gov
ernor and members of the Legislature of Delaware,
recommending to Congress the establishment of a
line Of steamers to the western coast of Africa.
CREDENTIALS OF DELAWARE SENATOR.
Mr.. WALES presented the credentials Of the
Hon. JAMES A. BAYARp, Senator elect from the
State of Delaware, for six years. from the 18th Of
March, 1851.
CONSTRUCTIVE MILEAGE.
Mr.. PEARCE moved to suspend all other bust
ness to take up the bill amendaory of the several
acts of Congress relative To the compensation of
members OF Congress; and the motion prevailed
ayes 81, noes IL.
MIR. PEARCE read the act of 1918, which allowed
Senators and Representatives eight dollars per day
during their attendance and eight dollars for every
twenty miles OF necessary travel, &c. In lS4l the
question was first raised by q Senator who ter
minated his membership in the House on the
Sd of March, and took his scat in the Senate
on the 4th of March at called sesson--he drew
his mileage for that called session. The then pre-.
siding officer of the Senate, and his successors, and
several OF the most eminent jurists Of the Senate
had all agreed in placing a construction upon the
act allowing what is called constructive mileage
The House of Representatives have repeatedly ex-
pressed their Of this construction by placing
IN the General Appropriation bill proviso against
it. This mode OF meeting it he thought irregular
lie thought il due to the dignity of the Senate that
the Senate should itself take the initiative in this
matter, and place this question beyond all cavil
and dispute, by passing law abolishing any such
construction of the law.
Mr.. WALKER moved to refer the bill to the Ju.
dietary Committee
vice of an old man, who had occupied seat in the
Senate at time when, perhaps some of its present
members were not born. The Senate had always
been accorded high character for dignity and pu-
rity, and there was nothing 30 much calculated to
impair that character an impr abroad that
it's members were governed in any one respect by
interested or sordd motives He was member Of
the House of Representatives in 1918, when the law
was passed. and he did not believe that single
member who voted for the law believed or thought
such construction would be placed upon it. He
differed in constituting the law from these presiding
officers and others who thou ght this allowance could
be made; but he had desire to discuss that ques
ton now. Let the Senate lcgisate now and remove
all doubt on the subject. lie was opposed to the
mode proposed by the House Of inserting provisos
in the appropriation bill TO defeat il; that not
the proper course Pass it in distinct and sepa-
rate bill, and chow to the House and the country
that there is no necessity for any such irregular
course.
Mr.. WALKER withdrew his motion to refer
The bill was then read third time and passed
On motion by Mr.. HUNTER, it was ordered that
the 10th joint rule be suspended for this day, to
THE RIVER AND HARDoR BILL.
Mr.. BADGER moved to postpone all other bust
mesa and take up the River and Harbor bill.
Mr.. BORLAND thought that the committees
should be allowed to make reports; this the last
day In which they could do so.
MIR. FOOTE considered the course proposed by
this motion as very irregular and improper. There
was vast amount of public business to DC acted
upon he had an important resolution which for
two days he had been waiting an opportunity to
submit. lie had been anxious also to have an Ex-
ecutivc session, on business Of urgency. Three
treaties were to be ratified this session. or they
would become nullitics He hoped the motion
would not prevail.
Mr.. HUNTER considered that unless the Civil
and Diplomatic bill be taken up and sent back to
the House to-day, there would be possibility Of it's
defeat.
Mr.. RUSK said that committees should be called
for rcports. His committee had numerous bills to
report: one Of them the Post Route bill, which was
Of great Importance. He hoped the motion would
not be persisted I'M if the bill was taken up long
debate would follow.
Mr.. DAVIS. Of Massachusetts,, said j, depended
on those who were opposed to the bill to say whe-
Their there would be debate or not.
Mr.. BUTLER gave notice that he would not be
coerced into vote on this bill without debate.
MIR. FOOTE said the general features OF the bill
were such as doubtless would receive the support
OF the majority OF the Senate but there were fea-
lures and items in the bill which should never re-
ceive the support OF the Senate, because OF their
odious nature
=. "a. CHNEi moved tnat the fnouon 10 take up
the Dill DC iaid on the table And the motion was
relected-yeas 70, nays 30-as foows
YEAS.-Messrs. Atchison, Rorland Bradbury,
Butler, Clarke, Clemens, Davis Of Mississippi, Daw-
son, Downs, Footc, Gwin. Hale. Hamlin Hunter,
King, Mason, Morton, Norris, Rhett, Rusk, Soule.
Turney, and Yulee--23.
NAYS.-Messrs. Badger, Baldwin, Bell Bright,
Cass, Chase, Clay, Cooper, Davis of Massachusetts,
Dayton, Dickinson, Dodge OF Wisconsin, Dodge Of
Iowa, Douglas, Ewing, Fetch, Greene, Jones, Mil
Ter, Pcarce, Pratt, Rantoul, Sebastian, Seward,
Smith, Underwood, Upham, Wales, Walker, and
Whitcomb-30.
Mr.. HUNTER again urged the propriety of fin
ishing the Civil and Diplomatic bill.
Mr.. BRADBURY said that If the appropriation
bils were defeated, the responsibility must rest on
those who postpone them.
Mr.. BADGER was willing to bear his share OF the
responsibility.