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

MONDAY, December D. 1851.
After prayer and the reading Of the journal, the
following petitions were presented and reterrs,
PETITIONS &c, PRESENTED.
By Mr.. JoSEs, of Iowa, the proceedings of q
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. c. Tenn
pleton relating TO a 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 A SECOND TINE AND
RtFERRED.
By Mr.. DopGE, Of Iowa, a resolution for the
relief of Alexander p. Field also, bill granting
the right Of way To the State Of Iowa, for rail.
road, which was ordered TO be printed by MIR.
SEWARD, a bill for the relief Of Thos ii. Leggett
by Mr. SHIELDS, from the Committee on Public
Lands, bill, granting certain lands TO the state
OF Illinois by Mr.. MILLER, Of New Jersey, a bill
making an appropriation for the improvement Of
certain rivers and harbors by Mr.. MANGuM, a
bill for the relief Of J. Il. Ryan.
FLoGGiSG ~ THE NAVY
On motion of Mr. Hale, his resolution calling
for information relative 10 logging ia the navy,
was taken up, aud by him so amended as TO ask
for certain information relative 10 the proceedings
Of a court martial in the case Of w. X. Latimer.
In this shape II was adopted.
On motion Of Mr. FELcH, an order was adopted
giving 500 copies Of the report Of the supern-
tendeHt Of the Lake Superior mines to the Com
missioner Of the General Land Office.
PRIVATE CLAIMS.
On motion of Mr.. PRATT, the resolution fixing
upon each Friday Of the session for the special
consideration Of private claims, was taken up.
The question being upon It's passage,
Mr.. LAWS, Of Massachusetts, made objection.
Mr.. PRATT said that opposition 20 the resou-
ton was unexpected Atthe last session Of Con.
gress, more than one hundred claims had been
fayorably 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 a
member Of the committee on claims, he (Mr p }
hoped II mi ,ht be abolished, unless the Senate
would give its laborS some consideration.
MIR. DAVIS was also opposed TO the resolution.
lie dad not believe II was calculated TO assist the
progress Of business. Ht thought II much etter
to take matters Up ~ the order they stand upon
the calender, than to make special assignments.
If day Is assigned, there will seldom be a quo.
rum in the Senate only those interested in par.
ticular bills will be here, and the business will be
delayed instead OF expedited.
After some further discussion between Messrs
PRATT, ATCHIsoE, Dowgs, and HAMIIE IN favor
and Messis. HUsTgR aud MASGrI IN opposition
70 the resolution, II was agreed tu-2l rising IL
favor and 10 against.
CENsrs PRINTING.
/ Mr.. BRIGHT proposed to take up the resolu
providing ton for the printing Of the 9Th census
documents by Donaldson and Armstrong.
Mr. SMITH said that when this resolution wal
considered he wished 10 propose an amer dment
which he was not now prepared to do. lie hope
u might We 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 il i
disposed Of
SPECIAL ORDER.
Mr.. FOOTE'S resolution recognizing the con,
prom Use measures Of the last session as "a Gns
adjustment" Of sectional agitation, &c, came ul
IN order for consideration.
Mr.. HOUSTON spoke at length in opposition
TO the resolution, VIII b, he said, for several day
past he had wished might be disposed Of wthou
further debate. When he first met with it her
? in the Senate, IL a matter Of astoDishment t
him. lie had expected nothing Of the kind woul
nov come up here. The general aspect through
out the country was favorable TO eace and har
mony, and he had hoped that no further actio
70 interrupt 1t would have been interposed here
} For himself, he could truly say, that, on tn
, compromise measures adopted at the last session
ne occupied no equivocal position, inasmuch
> ne alone Of the senators nov present had vote,
ior every one OF those measures as they came up
a THIS he, together with senator from Pennsyl
vanta, not now a member, alone had done. II
CMr H. did not wish 70 conceal or smooth owe