Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1851-03-12
THE LAST HOURS OF CONGRESS.

to carry on the Government-by which we 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 was the adjournment of the body
at the close of the last week-having resumed the
consideration of the River and HGrbor 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 it, and in taking the
yeas and nays thereon, and successive motions to
lay it on the table, to postpone, &e.-all of which
were voted down by the friends of the bill. 1t was
in short. struggle of the minority against the major
iy, or rather struggle between the two which should
seemed determined to hang every thing else on the
fate of this one to pass. and the other TO de-
feat it. Finally, at four o'clock this morning. with
out having taken any recess since assembling yeser
day morning, an adjournment till o'clock was
ried, on the motion of Mr.. Bell, at which time the
consolidation of this bill is to be renewed, it having
been made the special order.
| The report in the preceding columns presents a
summary of what was done in the House of Repre-
sentatives by the action of which body several i'm
portant bills became laws in the course of the day
and night. OF such bills have finally passed, we
can only enumerate in addition to those announced
in last paper, act to reduce the rates of post
age, which passed in the shape the Senate gave to
act making appropriations for the Post Office De-
parment; act to amend the act regulating the ap
military asylum for the support of invalid and dis
abled soldiers of the United States army act to
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-thrds vote) to take up the French Spoliaton
bill 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 to act on
those nominations which it was 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 tho exception of brief recess by the House of
Representatives. the two Houses of Congress ad-
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 consd-
Grafton of various bills on its table; and if all
not done that could have been wished, all the meas
ures essential the due action of the several Depart
ments of the Government were matured and became
laws. These comprehend the appropriation bills for
the various braLches of the public service, which,
with such others we're finally acted on, will be
found in the List of Acts in another column. Every
bill not found in that list failed, of course, to receive
the sanctions of law.
The House of Representatives, not less faithful in
the last hours of the session. also did its duty, re-
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
contine ency it is proper that should state that
we have reason doubt whether, under any circum-
Stances the expedent of an Extra Session to remedy
the non-action of Congress would have been resorted
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 was
paid to the Hon. Howell Cobb, its Speaker, who also
Nat. InteNigeneer Of Wednesday last.
We give below the titles of such public Acts pass
ed by the late Congress, may be of interest to our
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 1886, 1887
and 1888.
An act to found 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 payment of
navy pensions for the year ending June 30, 1852.
An act to supply deficiencies the appropriations for
the service of the fiscal year ending 30th June 1851
An act making appropriations for the support OF
the Military Academy tor the year ending 3Oth June
1852.
An act making appropriations for the payment OF
revolutionary and other pensioners OF the United
States tor the year ending the 3Oth June, 1852.
An act to settle and adjust the expenses of the
people of Oregon in defending themselves from the
attacks of the Cayuse Indians in the years lS47 and
l646.
An act to create additional collection districts in
| the Territory of Oregon, and for other purposes.
An act to 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
3Oth June, 1852.
An act 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.
nomatc exnenses of Government for the year ending
the 3Oth of June, 1852, and for other purposes.
An act making appropriations for the support of
the army for the year ending the 3oth of June, 1852
An act making appropriations for the naval service
for the year ending the 3Oth of June. 1852.
An act to establish certain post routes in the Unit
ed States and the Territories thereof.
An act making appropriations for light houses,
ghtboas, buoys &C., and providing tor :he erection
A resolution for the relief of Louis kossuth and
his associates, exies from Hungary.
resolution for the appointment of Regents OF
the Sm thsonian Institution.
resolution directing the distribution of the works
of Alexander Hamilton, and for other puposes.
The River and Harbor bill did not pass.