The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-05-13
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
THIRry-sEcoND coNGREss-FIRsT SESSION.
SENATE.
WEDNESDAY. MAY 5.


Mr. Douglas, from the Committee on Terri
tories, reported back the House bill regulating
the mileage of the delegate from Oregon and
the same was taken up considered, and passed.
Mr. Underwood gave notice of bill to re-
peal all laws giving compensation to members
of Congress, and substituting new system of
compensation
Mr.. Mallory introduced bill to establish
line of mail steamers from California or Oregon
to China, via the Sandwich Islands.
The Wisconsin Railroad bill was passed
On motion of MIR. Felch the Senate took up
public lands for the purpose Of constructing a
canal or railroad across the peninsula of that
State; and the same was considered amended
and ordered to be engrossed for a third read
ing.
The Deficiency bill was then taken up, and
Mr. Hunter addressed the Senate in opposition
to the amendment giving further aid to the
Collins line.
Mr. Rusk briefly replied, and the Senate
then proceeded to the consideration of Execu-
] tive business, and shortly after adjourned
THURSDAY MAY s.
| The Senate took up the bill to amend the
laws in relation to the payment of claims. The
bill makes all transfers and assignments here.
after to be made of any claim upon the United
States. or part thereof, and all contracts and
agreements for allowing compensation to any
| agent or other person. for services to be per-
| formed in procuring testimony in support OF
the claim illegal and void and also makes
void all powers of attorney, orders, or other au-
thOrities for receiving payment OF any such
claim. Any Government officer or clerk con-
nected with the Government departments, who
shall act rs agent &c, in prosecuting any claim
against the United States, shall be liable to in
dctment for misdemeanor and on conviction
shall pay fine of s 900 or Imprisonment not
exceeding six months or both. Any member
of Congress receiving compensation for such
services shall be liable to the same penalties.
The bill was amended and was then ordered
to be engrossed.
The Deficiency bill was then taken mp
Mr. James addressed the Senate in support
of the amendment giving aid to the Collins line
Of steamers.
MIR. Badger followed, in further support Of
the amendment urging the necessity for sup
porting and keeping up this line.
Mr.. Shields addressed the Senate in favor of
the amendment.
Mr.. Jones' of Tennessee, opposed the allow
ance offered.
Messrs Pratt Rusk, and others, continued
the debate. Adjourned
FRIDAY, MAY 7.
On motion of Mr. Bradbury, the bill to pro-
vide that in cases of the sickness or other dis
ability Of the judge Of the District Court Of the
District Of Columbia, the duties of that Court
shall be performed by the senior assistant judge
of the Circuit Court-was taken up and pass
ed
On motion Of Mr.. Clemens, the bill granting
land to Alabama, 10 aid in the construction of
the Mobile and Girard Railroad, was taken up,
amended, and ordered to be engrossed for a
third reading.
On motion of Mr. Mallory, the bill granting
land to Florida, TO aid in the construction Of a
railroad in that State was taken up, and it
was ordered to be cngrossed for a third read
ing.
The 3Oth rule Of the Senate after long de-
bate, was amended No 10 allow any amend
ment to be altered to the general apprOpria-
ton bill, il reported by any of the standing
Committees.
The Deficiency bill was resumed, and the
amendment giving additional aid 10 the Col
opposed to putting this appropriation in this
Dill. Dfchusc ~ WuS Nv bcu,'S"Sy1 cus NO Wv
Senate had decided otherwise, he would submit.
He thought this line now occupied peculiar
grounds recommending it to the favor Of the
country. 1t was now losing concern. While
he would vote for this aid to this line, he would
desire TO stand uncommitted in favor Of grant
ing aid To other lines lie thought il like
" that in time the hostages by these lines
would fully repay the allowance to the line
Mr.. Jones's amendment to reduce the COM
pepsation to $4,000 trip, was then reject
sd-yeas 81, nays 2s--as follows;
YsAs-Messrs Adams, Atchison, Borland,
Brodhead, Brooke Dodge OF Wisconsin, Dodge J
Of Iowa, Fech, Geyer, Hunter. Jones OF Iowa,
ZONES of Tennessee, King, Mallory, Mason,
Sebastian, Underwood, Wade, Walker, Weller,
and Whitcomb-2l
NAYs-Messrs. Badger, Bayard, Bell, Berr'-
on. Bradbury, Bright Cass Clarke, Dawson,
Douglas Fish, Gwin, Hale, Hamlin, Houston, |
James Mangum, Miller, Norris, Pearce, Pratt, |
Rush. Seward, Shields, Smith, Stockton, Sum-
ner, and Upham-2s,
Mr. Brooke moved 10 amend 10 ~ TO give
the present compensation and the amount OF
hostage received from it il was rejected--yeaS
8, nays SO. ,,,
The Senate adopted an amendment aatho-
,::z;;,= Congress &C discontinue the extra allow
suce at any time after December, 1894, upon
SIX months notice and then adjourned til'