The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-28

SENATE.
THURSDAY, May ~. 1854
MEMORIALS, &c.


MEMORIALS, &c.
Mr.. MALLORY presented the memorial OF
James Montgomery, offering 70 Congress the ben
e6ts Of certain inventions which he has made TO
urevent the explosion Of steam boilers Also,
proposing to construct steamer which VIII ps
able to transport the mails between New York
and Liverpool in six days.
MIR. MASON presented the memorial OF num-
srous clerks, employed IN the various executive
dspartments, praying Tor an increase OF ~ per
cent ON thsiT salaries.
Mr.. UNDERWOO presented apetition which
\. IA Wa from some female constituents Of his,
srd VA OF a peculiar character. They represent
that gentleman by the name OF Iifelt had APP
oiled 70 them and satisfied them that he Is the IN
veuior Of a steam engine which might be used
With perfect safety He proposed to generate
.tesm by throwing water on red hot boilers, 40
a. to generate just the quantity of steam which
might be required, without involving any danger
Of explosion, &C. The engine had never been
completed. These ladies', satisfied Of the pract-
cabiiity Of the invention, and animated doubtless
bv most phianthroplc motives, had gwen him
the sum Of 1850. for the purpose OF construct
ins an engine. They represent that this sum Is
not quite sufficient to enable Mr. Tilelt to accom-
plish his object and they think that while they
are giving SO much, Congress might give as much
more.
(Mr. BADGER Out of our private purses''
Nj. UNDERWOOD. No, sir. out of the ma
tional purse,) making $1,000, which would prob
ssssm engine il estined to surpass all others.
The memorials were all referred to the appro-
pirate committees.
REPORTS or COMMITTEES
Mr.. SHIELDS, from the Committee on Mill.
tarv Affairs to which was referred the memorial
OF the lieutenants of engineers, typographical en-
eineer and ordnance corps, asking that promotions
NAV be made more nearly approximating TO that
Of the line of the army, reported Dill 70 Provde
for the promotion of certain officers OF the engi'
nssr typographical engin eer, and ordnance corps
accompanied by report winch was oroe'eo u
bs printed. =,
Also. from thessame committee, bill allowing
the principal assistant in the engineer bureau the
sans compensation which the prIncipst assistant
in the ordnance bureau Of the War Department
now receives, accompanied by report which was
ordered to be printed.
Lands. 10 whom was referred Senate bill to grant
the right of way through the public lands OF the
United States for the construction OF certain ran
roads in the State of California, reported back the
same with a recommendation that it lie on the
table.
Also. from the same committee, asking to be
discharged from the further consideration OF the
memorials Of Charles Fletcher. for grant Of land
for a railroad from Fort Lenvenworlh to Fort
Kearnev: from that of Dunan Murphey and
others. for a grant of land for railroad from
Benicia to Sinister city, in California; and from
that of the legislature of Alabama, asking grant
Of land to complete a geological survey OF the
State which was agreed to.
merce, reported bill making an appropriation Of
$75 OOO TO be placed at the disposal OF the Secre-
tary OF War, for the purpose OF deepening the
passes Of the Mississippi river.
Mr.. SOULE made few remarks, showing the
urgent necessity Of taking immediate measures
to remedy the difficulties in the navigation OF the
Mississippi at that point, and moved the consd-
Grafton of the bill which was agreed to, and the
bin was ordered to be engrossed
The act giving the assent of Congress to
the State of Mississippi to impose taxes on all
lands sold by the United States from and after the
day Of such sale,
Which, on motion Of Mr.. GEYER, was read a
third time and passed.
The bill from the Senate to provide for the
holding of the district court, for the District OF
Columbia, in cases Of sickness or other disabili-
ties of the district Judges, having been returned
from the House with an amendment, which was
read.
Mr.. BRADBURY explained the object of the
amendment as made by the House, and moved
that the Senate concur therein, which motion was
agreed to, and the bill was passed.
~
Mr.. MANGUM introduced the following reso
luton and asked for its consideration:
Resolvtd, That the following be added to the
48th rule, which provides for the admission OF
persons on the floor Of The Senate, viz: "and the
associates Of the Smithsonian Institution, elected
by the Regents F"
Mr.. HALLE objecting. to the consideration OF
the resolutioiiiiit was laid over.
THE DEFICIENCY BILL--TBE COLLINS LINE.
The hour Of one having arrived,
The Senate resumed the consideration Of the
special order of the day, being the bill to supply
deficiencies in the appropriations for the service OF
the current fiscal year.
The question being on the following amend
ment Of Mr.. CHASE, to be added to the amend
ment making an appropriation for the support OF
the Collins line Of steamers, as follows
.q,sd provided further, That the proprietors OF
said line of steamers shall consent to such modi
ication of the existing contact, that the Post-
master General may advertise for and accept pro-
uosals for carrying the mails in suitable steam
ships of not less than two thousand tons burden,
between the United States and Great Britain,
from and after The said ihirty.hrst day Of Decem-
Der, eighteen hundred and fifty-four, when said
contract shall cease to be obligatory and the
Postmaster General in case such modification
shall be agreed to- shall advertise for such propos
ais. which shall be submitted to Congress at the
next session.
Mr.. SEWARD corrected an error into which
he had inadvertently fallen respecting Mr.. Hobbs,
as the inventor of the Parnntoptic Lock, exhibit
ed at the Worlds Fair. 1t was invented by Mr..
Newell, Of the city Of New York.
Mr.. BE RLAND then addressed the Senate
for nearly three hours in favor of Mr.. CHASE
proviso, but strongly against the Collins appro-
priation.
: The question was then taken on the amendment
of Mr.. CHASE, when it was rejected-l8 to 26.
Mr.. BELL then moved an Amendment, in lieu
Of the reported clause, providing that after the
30th Of June, 1854, the rate of compensation to
the Collins line shall not exceed SIS, $50 per trip,
unless Congress meanwhile, shall otherwise pro-
vide.
Pending general debate upon this proposition,
after several Intellectual attempts to take the ques
ton and to adjourn
The Senate adjourned.