The southern press., 1852-05-22
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
SENATE.
THURSDAY, May 20, 1852.

CENhIE II,
THURSDAY, May 20, 1852.
Messrs SEWARD, FrsH, SUMNER, DAVIS, and
CAss, presented petitions praying for the concur
renee Of the Senate in the passage OF the nome
stead BILL
On motion of Mr. DopeF, of Wisconsin, the
Senate proceeded TO the consideration or the bill
granting 70 the State OF Wisconsin a donation of
public lands to aid the construction of railroad
Tam the city Of Milwaukee to the Mississippi
river
The bill having been amended, on motion of
Mr.. DopsE, to conform to the other railroad bills
and the question being on ordering the bill to be
engrossed for third reading,
Mr.. FELCH submitted some remarks in oppo-
siton to the bill in its present shape. The sub
ject had been fully considered by the Committee
on Public Lands, and they were in favor OF grant
ing lands for a railroad across the State, but pre-
ferred another route, which had been provided for
in another bill.
Messrs. DopGE, of Wisconsin, and Waller
defended the bill.
Mr.. DAWSON moved that the bill be post
poned to give time for further dellberation, which
was az reed to.
The bill from the House authorsing the gov
ernor of the Territory Of New Mexico to call an
extra session Of the legislative assembly of that
territory, should it be deemed necessary and ex-
pedient, was read twice and referred
The Joint resolution changing the name OF ST.
i
and referred
The following bills, which were previously
ordered to engrossment, were read a third time ny
unanimous consent and passed
Bill authorising the President Of the United
States to designate places for the ports of entry
and delivery for the collection districts Of Puget
Sound, and Umpqua in the Territory OF Oregon.
Bill granting to the State Of California the right
of way, and donation Of the public lands, to aid
in the construction Of a railroad from San Fran
cisco to San Jose in that State,
THE DEFICIENCY BILL.
The Senate then resumed the consideration Of
the bill to supply deficiencies in the approprla-
tions for the service of the current fiscal year.
Mr.. HALE offered an amendment repeating all
acts authorising any gre ater compensation to Of
fcers of the navy ofthe United States, than is
provided by the act regulate the pay OF the ma
w, approved March 3, 1885.
Mr.. HI. explained his objects in proposing the
amendment
Mr.. BADGER replied, contendng that the as
sault of the Senator from New Hampshire upon
the Navy Department was wholly unfounded
Mr.. HALE rejoined stating the grounds and
the Justice of his complaint, and arguing IN favor
OF fixed rates Of compensation to naval officers,
leaving nothing to the discretion of the Depart
ment.
After some further debate,
Mr.. HALE modified his amendment and added
a proyiso to the effect that no such increased
allowance shall be made without specific di
rection by Congress, designating the names of
the officers to whom such extra payment shall
be made.
Mr.. BADGER moved proviso in lieu of Mr..
HALE's proviso. His amendment providing that
the superintendent of the nautical almanac shall
be allowed a compensation of $4,000 per annum!
which after some debate was agreed to and the
amendment as modified and amended was adopted.
Mr.. RUSK then offered proviso to the clause
H. hat1nd do hJch
he said was designed to prevent an improper con-
struction being put upon the treaty of Guadaloupe
Hidalgo, by the boundary commissioners.
After some debate between Messrs. RISK, DA-
Wis, UNpERwooD, CLARK, HUNTER and SEWARD,
the amendment was agreed to.
Mr.. BELL, by instruction Of the Committee on
Indian Affairs, offered an amendment appropriate
ing to the payment Of balance due the contrac-
tors for the removal of the Choctaw Indians
from the State of Alabama and Mississippi, the
sum of S37 ,422
The Chair was inclined to consider the amend
ment an appropriation for private claim, and
therefore out of order under the 30th rule of the
Senate, as recently modified.
Considerable debate ensued as to whether the
amendment was private aim or not.
Mr.. BADGER fnslly notified the Senate that
he would tomorrow offer a resolution TO repeal
the recent change in the thirteth rule being salts
fed from this experiment that the Senate would
consume more time in discussing whether amend
ments were for private claims not, than in act
ing upon them.
The Chair submitted the question to the Senate
whethe the amendment was private claim or
not.
A protrncted discussion ensued, and the ques-
ton being finally decided sfirmatiyely, the amend
ment was not entertained.
Mr.. BADGER submitted an amendment max
ing an appropriation for the dry dock at San
Francisco, but after some debate withdrew It.
Mr.. SHIELDS offered an amendment, by di-
rection Of the Committee on the District OF CO.
lumbia, appropratng sum not exceeding sl2,-
900, for the temporary repair Of the Long bridge
over the Potomac.
Pending which the Senate adjourned.