The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-07

The President pro tenn, laid before the Senate,
reports OF the Secretary of the Treasury and the
Secretary Of War, communicating, IN compliance
with resolution OF the Senate, information IN re-
lation to the contracts entered INTO oy hopeft 2.
Garter and James Roddey for the supply ofrations
to the army, from June /, 1912, to June /, 1915
Also, report of the Secretary OF the Treasury,
Communicating report of the lighthouse board,
appointed under the act ofMarch 3, 1851.
Also a report Of the Secretary of War, commu-
nicating the proceedings OF the board OF commits
soners, appointed under the act Of March 3, 1851,
TO found military asylum for the relief and sup
port ofinvaid and disabled soldiers Of the army
The communications were referred as usual.
woRKMEE UPON THE CAPITOL.
Mr.tCASS presented petition Of mechanics
and laborers, lately employed upon the extension
fthe wings of the capitol, praying that they may
be allowed to proceed with the work. He also
submitted letters from the architect, and from the
Secretary Of the Interior, recommending their EN-.
ployment during the winter months, and asked
leave to Introduce JOINT resolution 10 thas efect.
After some remarks by Messrs. CAss and SHIELDS
in favor Of their employment, and by Mr.. Boa
LAND against it, the memorial was referred TO the
Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds.
EXPLOSION OF STEAM BOILERS.
Mr.. SHIELDS presented the memorial Of AL
fred Guthrie in relation TO the explosion OF steam
boilers.
The memorialist, Mr.. SHIELDS remarked, was
n practical engineer and had devoted his life time
to experimenting upon this subject. The results
Of his Investigations, as presented IN this essay,
had been submitted 70 some OF the most seientinc
gentlemen in the country, who approved OF his
suggestions as calculated in great degree to pre-
vent such disasters. He asked that the memorial
might be printed.
mir. BORLAND moved the printing of FIVE
thousand extra copies
j tLaC NJ iffa
Printing.
MISCELLANEOUS PETITIONS DC.
Petitions were presented by Mr. Downs, pray
ing for the right of way and grant Of land to the
STATE If Louisiana to aid in the construction Of
railroad from the Mississippi river to the Texas
line By Mr.. SHIELDS, in favor OF redemption to
actual settlers dlong the line ofthe central railroad
Illinois By the CHAIR, a memorial of the legis-
lature of Alabama, for grant Of public lands to
enable the State to make a geological survey of
the State; and by Messrs. INTER, STOCKTON,
GwIN. FISH, UNDERwooD, DAVIS, SEWARD, Arch
IsoN and PEARcE, for various objects.
CHARGE TO SWITZERLAND.
Mr.. BRODHEAD called UP his resolution
directing an inquiry to be made into the expeden-
CIV Of sending a charge d'affars to Switzerland,
and submitted few remarks upon the subject
There were many considerations of a political and
commercial character, he said, which should in
duce this government to establish diplomatic rela-
tons with Switzerland without further delay
Switzerland was now, in reality, the only repub-
lie in Europe; and notwithstanding she had OFTEN
been oppressed almost to extnc ion she had always
maintained the principles of republican freedom.
and been pursery Of patriots and an asylum for
political refugees In l648 and 49 they adopted
new constitution which contained many PROV
sions similar to our own, and they now have the
same mower to negotiate treaties which we en-
10Y. representative OF the United States
he of In
nolitical refugees in time of war. There
were other considerations Of commercial cha
racter. which he thought imperlously demand
the sending of a charge TO that government. Dur
large and increasing commerce with them required
IT. Our industrial interests would be promoted
by it. We furnish them with large quantities OF
cotton. tobacco, rice and other products and they
had adopted liberal policy with regard to the
admission Of foreign products, which should be
encouraged.
The resolution was adopted.
PLANK ROADS FOB MAIL SERVICE.
Mr.. RUSK, from the committee on Post-offces
and Post Roads, reported back the joint resolution
70 establish certain post roads, with an amend
ment, authorizing the Postmaster General to have
the mails carried over plank roads whenever he
may think proper
TIE amendment was agreed TO, and the resou-
ton ordered to engrossment.
NEW ORLEANS AND NEhA CRUZ SiEAM LINZ
Mr.. SoULE reported a billto provide for the
transportation Of the pail in steamers tri-monthy
between the ports Of New Orleans and Vera Cruz,
stopping at certain intermediate places.
The bill was read and passed to a second read
ing
PROTECTION TO THE INHABITANTS OF CALIFORNIA
AND oREGoN.
Mr.. GwIN introduced a bill 10 provide for the
better protection Of the people Of California and
Oregon: and submitted few remarks showing
the necessity for the passage or the same. He
said the troops at present stationed in those terri
tories were entirely Inadequate TO defend the
country, being barely able To keep themselves
from being scaped by the Indians. He referred
20 the correspondence Of the Secretary OF War,
with various officials in those territories upon the
subject from which 81 appeared that the secretary
was unable 10 afford any further relief under ex-
listing laws.
The bill was read twice and referred.
THE CENSUS PRINTING.
On motion OF Mr.. SHIELDS, the joint resolu-
ton expressive Of the sympathy Of Congress for
the relief Of the Irish patriots, was postponed TO
On motion OF Mr.. GwIN, the joint resolution
in relation TO printing the returns OF the seventh
census, was taken up.
Mr.. PEARcE suggested an amendment limit
inc the price to be paid for the work, to the aver
are rate OF the proposals Of bidders for the print
ing Of the present Congress, for the same classes
Of work.
MIR. SMITH spoke with much enrnestness
AGAINST the amendment OF Mr.. BADGER. He
could not uphold IL upon any idea OF compromise
,s had been suggested by the Senator from North
Carolina. So far from being a compromise, he
regarded IL az great deal worse than the original
resolution. He commended that Il was liable 10 all
the objections which had been urged against the
original proposition.
Mr.. BADGER replied in defence Of the amend
ment.
Mr.. CAss submitted few remarks upon the
subject.
printing the census on the plan OF the Maryland
,necimen. He would exclude entirely the histori.
cal portion, in preparing whichhe said the Super
intendent OF the Census had exceeded bis authori-
~. and would greatly abridg. or strike out the
medical statistics and thus reduce the bulk Of the
work ut least one half.
Mr.. HAMLIN concurred in the suggestions OF
the chairman Of the Printing COMMITTEE, but
wanted first to decide who should do the work;
then determine what should be printed.
fheG onafe would prOcfed N