The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-13
THlRTY-SE CONGRESS,
FIRST SESSION.
IN SENATE.
THURSDAY, Dec. IL, iool'


FIRST SESSION.
IN SENATE.
THURSDAY, Dec. IL, 1851.
The Senate met at l2 o'c,ock, prayers were Of
fered by the chaplain and the journal OF yester-
DAYS proceedings read.
Mr.. Jones, Of Iowa, presented the memorial
Of Col. r. NJ. JoHSsoN, claiming compensation
for losses sustained in the war of 1872;
Among the bills &c. introduced read twice and
referred. were the following "A bill granting the
right Of way for a railroad between Milwaukee
and the Mississippi river; by Mr. Hunter, a
bill relating to the payment OF invalid pensions IN
certain gases by Mr. Hunter, bill grating
land for the improvement Of the Fox and Wiscon-
sin rivers by Mr.. FISH, a bill to sstab sh mint
at New York; by Mr. DAVIS, resolution rela-
ting to the settlement of the accounts OF Mexican
officers by Mr.. BoRLAND, bill revising the laws
relating to widows pensions.
a"Es IMPROVEMENTS IN WASHINGTON.
Mr. UNDERWOOD moved resolution IN.
structng the committee on the District OF Column
bla to enquire into the expediency OF reporting
bill to pave Pennsylvania avenue from 18th street
to Georgetown, build bridge over ROCK creek
light the avenue by gas, and bring water INTO Inc
city. The resolution was read and laid over.
COL. TALcoTTs CASE. @%
Mr. FISH introduced resolution calling for
the papers and proceedings Of the court marshal
in the case Of Col. GEORGE TALcoTr.
III. II i
auenty refused to take similar action when ne had
asked papers in the cases of seamen and soldiers:
II was so in the Somers case, where sailors han
been subjected to internal and inhuman treatment.
He would not do for officers what was refused to
their subordinates. -
adopted. 81. ......
ADJOURNMENT.
Mr. HALE moved that when the Senate ad-
Ia, - he Monday
[Voices-No, no, no
The question was taken by a division, and the
motion rejected, l6 to II. -.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS. ..
Mr. BRIGHT called up the resolution, intro
duced by him last week, restoring the 49th rule,
providiny the time for going into the! cholce OF
Secretary, Doorkeeper and Sergeant Arms.
The resolution was taken up, and Mr.. BRIGHT
called for the yeas and nays on the question OF us
passage. ... 49,. IT.
Mr.. BERRIEN opposed the resolution. He
understood it was aiming towards a change in the
present officers, who had faithfully discharged
their duties for many years, and against whon,
there was no complaint. -..
Mr.. BRIGHT said that the proposition was TO
restore the old rule for tn resembling OF which,
at a former session, upon the motion of a Senator
from Missouri (Mr. BENToN) he (Mr. BRIGHr)
had never been able to see any reason. lie was
in favor OF the election of all officers, and opposed
tn any tenure of Office which grants lie estate
Mr.. SHIELDS was opposed to change at TINS
time. He did not wish to have the Senate turned
into an eIectioneering club. He thought change
now would prove inexpedent and bad for the
democrats, although it might answer after Presi-
Dental election.
Mr.. HALE was also opposed to the resolution,
II considered he should wish to amend II, 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 H J believed that 1t was bad way 10
take the small characters to push against hrsi ana
let the large ones go.
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 no objection to the present ofhcers
vet there are others Just well qualified to fuhl
tier duties If the Senator from New Hamp-
shire wished to propose his amendment, he Mr.
b. was prepard to vote upon IT. ...,
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 fnll consideration, he would move recon
alteration, 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