The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-08-26
FRIDAY, AUGUsT 20.

Mr.. shields SAID he desired To make reports.
Though a friend OF the Homestead bill, he
would oppose any motion to take it up to the
exclusion of the necessary business
Mr.. Douglas opposed the motion. He sug-
gested the expedency of meeting at night
during the remainder of the session, for the
consideration of the various land bills
Mr.. Dawson called attention to the fact that
the claims OF hundreds Of private persons, for
moneys actually due them by the Government
were postponed to take up bill giving farms
to people who had no claims on the United
States more than other people
Messrs. Pratt and Rusk opposed the motion
at this time
Mr.. Chase supported the motion
Mr.. Mason was opposed to taking up the bill
at tins time, and his opposition was strength
ened by the quarter whence it came 1t was
well known that the Senator had been nomi-
mated by Convention of Free Sellers, or Abo-
lltonists for the Presidency and in the plat
form OF the Convention nominating him this
bill was plank. He did not question the mo-
tives of the Senator-they were doubtless pa
trlotlc according to that Senator'S standard of
patriotism. He was opposed to giving that
party, whose triumph would be the destruction
OF the country, the means of distributing largess
TO the people on the eve of an election
MIR. Hale thanked God that his patriotism
was not measured by the same standard as was
the Senator's. This bill did not originate with
the fanatical party so denounced by the Sena-
tor; 1T did not originate at Pittsburgh or Cleve-
land, but IN a section of the country south of
| Virginia, and in region where patriotism was
measured by the standard of the Senator from
| Virginia
Iha atin FL I, 1
| yeas 10, nays So
MIR. Rusk reported back House bill amend
ing the postage laws. with amendments allow
ing newspapers not exceeding three ounces to
be sent to any part Of the United States for one
cent; If paid in advance one-half that rate.
The bill was taken up and the amendments
were agreed to.
Mr.. Chase moved an amendment allowing
packages not exceeding four pounds in weight
TO he circulated through the mails at ordinary
rates OF postage and, after debate, it was re-
| jected--yeas %, nays 80.
The hill was then ordered to third reading
Mr.. Hamlln reported bill granting regis
ter to the bark Queen - which was consider.
ed and ordered to be engrossed
Mr.. Hamlin reported back the House bill to
elect Public Printer, and fix the price of pub
| lie printing.
A debate enSued after which, the motion
was disagreed to-yeas 25, nays %
A bill for the relief of the Manchester anC
Wilmington Railroad Company, reported by
Mr.. Gwin, was considered and ordered TO :
third reading
Mr.. Jones, of Iowa submitted resolution
that tie Senate shall take n recess from to :
o'clock each day, for the remainder of the SEES
sion. Laid over
The River and Harbor bill was again taken
mp. The Senate agreed to the amendment ior
Rappahannock river. Other amendments were
reported by the Committee for surveys of river,
and harbors, and for repairs, Sc, amounting
to Sl50,O0O in all. They were agreed to.
The bill was then postponed
The Postage bill was passed, and also the
Territorial BILL Adjourned
SATURDAY AUGUST 81
Mr.. Bright, from the select committee ON
the petition of the Hon. David l.. Yulee con.
testing the seat of Hon. s. r. Mallory, made u
report concluding with resolution declaring
MIR. Mallory the sitting Senator, to have been
duly elected Senator from Florida
On motion of Mr.. Hunter, the Senate took
up the Civil and Diplomatic Appropriation bill
A large number of amendments were con
sideredand adopted among which were 1926. OOC
for custom-house building suitable for post
Office. court rooms &c, at Wilmington. Della.
ware; $4,000 for completing the marine hos
pital at San Francisco r 900 for clerk /,
the commissioner of public buildings: $1,000
to complete and revise the grades in Washing
ton city, and to determine the plans for tn,
drainage and sewerage thereof After debate
an amendment appropriatng So, 900 to enabl
the President to cause the necessary survey,
&c, to be made for determining the best mean
of affording Washington and Georgetown
supply of good and wholesome water, wa
adopted.
The morning hour expired, and the bill wa
postponed. After short Executive session,
Messrs. Douglas, Mangum, Smith, and Wal
ker, made personal explanations respecting thu
debate some time since in reference to a hoaS
in the shape of a circular, setting forth thai
Messrs. Smith, Mangum and other Wings did
not intend to support General Pierce
The River and Harbor bill was taken up
After some verbal amendments, the follow
ing were proposed, debated, and disposed of:
BY Mr.. Bell-$5O 900 for the Improvement
of the Tennessee river Adopted
BY Mr. Shields-S3O, 900 for the improve
mcnt of the Illinois river.
BY Mr. Brooke-for the Yagoo river $50 600.
and for the Pearl river $4,000, in Mississippi
Lost
By Mr.. Davis-SlOOOO for St. Johns river,
and $4,000 for survey Of a ship canal across
Florida Agreed to-
Mr. Borland proposed an amendment of
SOS, 900 for Black and White river, in Arkan-
sas. Adjourned
MONDAY, AUGUST 90.
The Chair presented a message from the
President of the United States, communica-
ting hecorrespondence relating to the Lobos
Islands
The Civil and Diplomatic Appropriation bill
was taken up
Mr. Badgers motion to strike out the appro-
priatlon for the temporary repair of the Long
Bridge over the Potomac river was taken up,
and was disagreed to-yeas %, nays 81.
The question recurring on the amendment
appropriatng ST. 600 for the temporary repair
of the bridge, it was rejected-yeas 10, nays %.
The provision for the draw-kecpers, oil for
lamps &c, on the bridge, were rejected; so no
provision whatever il made for the Long
Bridge
Other amendments were considered and
agreed TO-
The provision for the increase of 20 per cent.
in the salaries of all clerks, &c. in the public
employment, whose annual compensation does
not exceed s 200, was amended by adding
"All whose annual compensation exceeds 81 200
or less than 81, 900, should receive an increased
compensation of 10 per cent; and all those
whose salaries amount 10 or exceed $4,000,
shall receive an additional compensation of five
per cent This increased allowance shall not
extend beyond the present fiscal year, without
further legislation
The bill was then postponed, and the River
and Harbor bill was taken up
The amendment appropriating $4,000 for
the purchase Of snag- boats dredging machines
&c, for the improvement Of the Western rivers,