The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-12-25

The Senate proceeded to the consideration
OF Executive business, and, after some time
spent therein, the doors were re-opened, and
The Senate adjourned
MONDAY DECEMBER %.
The Senate proceeded TO business at half
past twelve o'clock this morning. when a large
number of petitions and reports were presented
Mr.. Hunter reported resolutions authorizing
the Finance Committee to employ clerk
Adopted
Mr.. Miller introduced bill making appro-
prlatOns for the improvement of certain rivers
and harbors. He said this was the same bill
which had passed the House at the last session.
and which failed to pass the Senate for want
of time to act on it, He introduced the bill
now, and recommended it to the early consid-
GRAFTON of the committee, in order to prevent
the same catastrophe which befell the bill of
last session. Ii was referred t. the Committee
on Commerce
Mr.. Cas- moved that so much of the Presi-
dents message rs related to the Postmaster's
affairs be referred to the Committee on Foreign
Relations, which was carried
MIR. Hale's resolution calling for information
whether any violations of the law abolishing
flogging in the navy had occurred. was taken
up and passed, after being amended so as to
call for the particulars of the case of a sailor
named Latimer, who had been so punished.
MIR. PrattS resolution, providing that Friday
in each week be set apart for the consideration
of private bills, came up Mr. Pratt said that
the Committee Of Claims had reported at the
last session upon over hundred claims none
of which had been acted upon. Why was that
committee to be forced, session after session. to
examine these claims, if the Senate never acted
on them! If the Senate intended never to con-
| sidcr the labor of that committee they had
| better abolish the committee altogether
Mr.. Mangum opposed the resolution He
recommended the Senate to adhere to the rule
that business shall be taken up in the order of
| the calendar
Mr. AtchisOn would like to adhere to the
calendar, if it were possible, but the Senate
would not and could not do So Since the
| Senate met three resolutions Kossuth, and the
Compromise resolutions, out ofwhich no earthly
good can arise have occupied the whole time
he hoped the resolution would pass.
MIR. Hunter opposed the resolution, and Mr.
Hamlin supported it. The resolution was
adopted by vote of-ayes 81, noes 49,
The Senate resumed the consideration of the
resolution of Mr.. Foote, declaring the Compro-
- scc:;:I;,';tS - =, :" N,'yLa scr Y.aG2lE q!
- larsst ss !.
Wt houston SAID that he had voted for MI
shess Sne6sos<s, &c .p SO, ~<,,s,tvres ,r, ,;.,s
resolution was proper. or necessary The
measures should be subject to the judgment of
the people. He declared that he was utterly
adverse TO making these measures any part OF
the Democratic platform, but was for resting
freedom of opinion on this subject as it was on
the subjects Of the tariff and internal improve
ments
Mr.. FOOte warmly charged the Senator of
Texas rs trimming his course to catch the votes
of the Free-Soers for the Presidency
MIR, Butler replied to certain remarks of Mr.
Foote touching the State of South Carolina
Mr. Foote rejoined, and was followed by
Mr.. Hale.
Mr.. Clemens got the floor, and the Senate
adjourned.