The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-05-20
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.


CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
THIRTY-sECosD coNGREss-FIRsT sEssIoN.
SENATE.
TUESDAY, MAY II.
The joint resolution providing for the COM
pletion of a war steamer for harbor defence,
according to the contract made with Mr.. R. l..
Stevens, of New York, was taken up
Mr. Stockton addressed the Senate i'm sup
port of the measure
Within twenty days from declaration of
war, steam feet could if no more defence be
furnished New York than now, lay that city in
ruins in single night He urged the estab
lishment of steam navy, superior to that of
the world, Of vessels having speed and other
qualities, which would enable any one of them
to whip six of the enemy, and which could
cruise with safety in the British channel, and
threaten English cities as now ours are.
He advocated protective tariff, denounced
the Wilmot Proviso, planted himself on the
resolutions of '9S, and praised Gen. Cass.
The subject was then, after some remarks
by Mr.. Mangum, postponed
The Deficiency bill was then taken up.
Messrs. Geyer and Brooke addressed the
Senate in opposition to the amendment giving
additional aid to the Collins line of steamers
Mr.. Rusk and Mr. Badger replied
An amendment, transferring the contract
for this service from the Navy to the Post Of
fee Department, was debated and rejected
yeas Is, nays 10; and then the subject was
postponed
After the consideration of Executive bust
ness, the Senate adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, MAYl2
Mr. Shields reported bill abolishing the
present organization Of the staff of the army,
and 10 provide for the performance Of staff du-
ties by officers Of the line detailed for that SER
vice.
Mr.. Rusk gave notice Of bin to reduce the
rates of postage on newspapers and other
printed matter, and to regulate the salaries Of
postmasters.
A resolution offered by Mr. Bell, some time
ago, calling upon the Navy Department to
communicate copy of Lieut. Temples memoir
of the landing of the American troops at Vera
Cruz in IS47, was taken up
Mr.. Cass opposed the resolution. He was
opposed to any further book-making by the
Senate.
The discussion soon ran into party politics,
and it was charged that the motion was simply
an electiOneerng man9uvre in favor of Gen.
Scott.
The subject was then postponed
The Deficiency bill was then taken up and
Mr. Borand addressed the Senate in opposi-
ton to the amendment giving aid to the Col
Inns line. He had not concluded when, owing
to indsposition, he gave way to a motion to
postpone the subject till tomorrow; and the
motion was agreed to-
The bill regulating the allowances to agents,
and prohibiting Executive officers and mem
bers Of Congress from having interest in
claims against the United States, was taken up
Mr.. Underwood moved to recommt the bill
with substitute for it.
After debate, the motion was rejected and
the bill was passed The Senate then ad-
journed.
THURSDAY, MAY 49,
The Homestead bill was received from the
House, and, on motion, was referred TO the
Committee on Public Lands
Mr. Bradbury reported bill amending the
laws.
Mr. Shields introduced bill granting land
for railroad from Cincinnati to st. Louis.
On motion of Mr.. Pratt, the bill appropra-
ting Si2, 900 for survey and estimate Of the
cost Of constructing basin at the terminus of
the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, at Rock Creek,
d. c. was taken up and ordered
to be engrossed for third resding--yeas 80,
nays7.
The Deficiency bill was taken up
Mr.. Borland, who had the floor ON the Col
Inns line amendment and who was compelled
to suspend his remarks yesterday on account Of
illness, being too unwell to attend the Senate
that amendment was passed by informally,
and other amendments were offered.
An amendment appropriating s365,OOO for
pay Of Indian depredations in Georgia, Ala
bama, and Florida, was debated at length by
Messrs Bell and Clemens in suppcrt and Mr.
Hunter in opposition No question was taken
when the Senate adjourned.
FRIDAY, MAY IL.
The Hon Isaac Toucey elected recently
Senator from the State of Connecticut, for the
term Of six years appeared this morning, quail
fled, and took his seat
Mr. Seward offered a resolution which lies
over, calling upon the President Of the United
States for copy of tho letter which Chew.
alier Hulse,nann wrote TO the Secretary Of
State before his departure, together with the |
reply Of the Secretary, and all other cores
pondence upon the subject.
Pending the consideration Of resolution |
calling for Temples account Of the siege of
Vera Cruz
Mr.. Hale took occasion TO warn the Demo
Gratis and Wings to beware Of the adoption Of
the Compromise at their approaching Conven-
tons. His speech was listened to with great
Mr.. Pratt seized the occasion TO deny re-
port which had been extensively circulated,
namely: that Mr.. Fillmore, while presiding OFF,
Ger Of the Senate, under the expectation that
the casting vote on the Compromise measures
would devolve upon him, had made up his mind
10 vote against them Now 30 far from TINS
being true, he was authorized to say that the
rumor was utterly unfounded in fact that he
Was In favor Of the measures during the whole
period Of their discussion and that If he had
been in the Senate at the time OF their passage,
and the passage had depended on his vote be
would have voted for them.
The consideration Of the orders was postpon-
cd, and the Senate resumed the consideration
Of the Deficiency bill.
After discussion on amendments, and with
out coming 10 conclusion upon the bill, an
until Monday took place. J