The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-05
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
SENATE.
TUESDAY, Feb. :

SENATE. l
TUESDAY, Feb. B.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM DEPARTMENTS
The Chair laid before the Senate communlca-
ton from the Secretary Of War, transmitting the
renorr of the. Adiutant General with an abstract
OF the returns of the militia or all the States and
territories.
Also a communication from the Secretary of the
Interior, transmitting in compliance with the reso-
luton of the Goth ult., copy OF his instructions
10 the commissioners for the settlement of private
land claims in California and also copy Of the
instructions to the Surveyor General Of Cafor-
MIA, in connection with the subject.
Also letter from the Secretary Of Oregon, COM
municating, in obedience to law, a copy Of the
journals or the legislative assembly of that terri
tory.
Messrs. MoRroN, BADGER and MAsGUM pre-
scented various memorials from assistant marshals
employed in taking the seventh census, praying
for an increase Of compensation.
Messrs BRoADHEA AID, SMITH, DODGE, Of Iowa,
COOPER, FELcH, CHASE, CAss, SUMNER. and BUT
LER, presented petitions asking appropriations for
various measures of internal Improvement.
Mr.. COOPER presented remonstrance against
the establishment Of branch mint in the city OF
New York.
Also, the memorial Of merchants and others OF
New York, praying that the act of March 80,
l547, for reducing costs and expenses OF proceed
ings in admiralty against ships and vessels, may
not be repealed.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.
Mr.. JONES, Of Iowa, reported back bill to
authorize the payment of invalid pensions in GER
tain cases, with an amendment
Mr.. ATCHISON reported back the bill to pro-
vide for the appointment of superintendent OF
Indian affairs in California, with an amendment,
which, having been agreed TO and the blanks hav-
ing been filed, the bill was reported to the Senate,
the amendments CONQUERED in, and the bill ordered
to be engrossed.
RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. HALE offered resolution nstructing the
Committee on Military Affairs to enquire into the
expedency Of providing by law, that all commits
sions in the army shall hereafter be for limited
time-which lies over.
Mr. GWIN introduced a resolution insfructing
the Committee on Foreign Affairs to inquire into
the expedency of providing for charge d'affairs
to Switzerland. In ties over.
COMMITTEE ON THE CONTESTED SEAT
The Senate proceeded to ballot for chairman
in the place of Mr.. BERRIEN, of the select commit
tee on the letter Of Hon. Mr.. YULEE, contesting
the seat of Hon. Mr. MALLORY, and Mr.. BADGER
receiving plurality of votes, was declared elect
ed.
DISCIPLINE IN THE NAVY.
On motion of Mr.. BADGER, the bill no inforce
discipline and promote good conduct in the naval
service of the United States, was taken up, and
after "a brief explanation, the amendment was
agre ed to, the bill reported to the Senate and the
amendment concurred IN.
Mr. HALE offered further amendment pro
viding that all commissions in the navy shall here
after be for the term of ten years, which was re-
jected by yeas and Nays to 30.
Mr.. ATCHISON moved further amendment
which was lost, and after some remarks by Messrs
HALE and CHASE, the bill amended was order
ed to engrossment.
DISTRICT COURTS.
The Senate took up the bill amendatory Of the
act Of 1850, to provide for holding the courts OF
the United States in cases of the sickness other
disability Of the Judges of the District Courts and
ordered the same to be engrossed for third read
ing.
The bill to change the time for holding the Dis
trict Courts of the United States for the Western
district of Virginia, was also considered and
ordered to engrossment
IOWA RAILROAD BILL,
On motion the compromise resolution was post
poned until Tuesday next, and the Senate pro-
ceeded to the consideration of the bill granting the
right Of way and donation of land to aid in the
construction Of certain railroads in the State of
Iowa.
Mr.. FELCH addressed the Senate upon the
subject He said the discussion upon this bill
templated. He desired, therefore, to call attention
to the simple proposition before the Senate. II
was to grant portion Of the public lands to aid
in the construction OF two railroads in the State Of
Iowa; the lands TO be taken in alternate sections,
and the remaining sections retained by the State,
TO be increased in price TO double the minimum
price at which they are now offered for sale. If
this principle carried out, practically, he con-
tended that no loss would accrue to the United
States, but that both the United States and the
States in which the lands lie would be benefited
by the grant. He proceeded to point out the adj
yantages which would result TO the whole country
from the construction of railroads, by facilitating
intercourse between the States, and argued that il
would not operate TO the disadvantage OF any por-
ton OF the country. He entered into lengthy
exposition OF his views with regard TO the policy
which the general government should pursue with
respect to the public lands, sustaining the views
of the Senator from Massachusetts, Mr.. SUMNER,
and wering various objections. Without con-
Guiding his remarks, Mr.. FELcH gave way TO a
postponement OF the subject until to morrow.
Mr.. CASS said il was uncertain whether the
Senator from Rhode Island Mr.. CLARKE would
be able to be present tomorrow; and, &c not, he
should ask that the resolutions upon the subject
of Intervention, which have been made the special
order for to- morrow, be postponed, and the con-
alteration Of the Iowa railroad bill be continued.
On motion, the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.