The southern press., 1852-04-13
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
SENATE.
MONDAY, April II, 1862.


EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS.
The PRESIDENT pro tenn laid before the SEN
ate REP ort of the Secretary of the INTERIOR In an
swer to resolution OF the Senate calling for the
names and number Of claimants or the liquldated
balance of indemnity due to the friendly Creek
Indians, for losses in the Creek of 1872.
Also communication, transmitting IN compll-
ance with a resolution, the report of Engineer
Ellis and other officers, of test OF Goals, made at
the navy-yard at Washington.
Also communication from the same depart
ment, transmitting, in compliance with resolu-
ton, copy Of the charges preferred against the
present commissioner appointed to run and mark
the boundary line between the United States ana
Mexico.
message was also received from the President
of the United States, transmitting in reply to the
resolution Of the 4th ultimo, information in rea-
ton 70 the proposed naval expedition 70 the East
Indies.
The communications were severally referred,
and ordered to be printed.
TEXAS BoNDHoLDERs.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD presented the petition of
Leslie Combs, complaining ofinjustice on the part
of the State Of Texas towards himself and other
creditors Of that State, and praying that some pro-
vision may be made for the payment of their
claims
After remarks by Messrs. UNpERwooD and
RusK, the petition was referred to the Committee
on the Judiciary.
LOCAL AFFAIRS.
Mr.. SHIELDS, from the Committee on thee
District of Columbia, reported bill to make
Columbia turnpike road free to the District lin
Also, a bill making an appropriation to survey
and locate basin at the termination OF the Chesa-
peake and Ohio canal, near Rock creek, in George
town, d. G.
The bills were read and passed to second
reading.
MIR. HUNTER, agreeably to notice, introduced
bill appropriating land scrip in full and final
satisfaction Of Virginia military bounty land war
rants; which was read twice and referred,
THE PUBLIC PRINTING.
Mr.. BORLA AND rose he said, for the purpose
of making a report, somewhat informal and per-
haps anomalous, from the Committee on Printing.
1t was doubtless known to most oil the senators
that a new arrangement hao been, or was about to
he. made for the execution of the public printing.
He deemed il important to inform the Senate what
action the Joint Committee on Printing had taken
in the matter.
On the 9Th instant they passed a resolution in
these words:
tract with Messrs Doneson and Armstrong to do
the future printing OF the present Congress for the
House. and with Messrs. Gideon a. Co. for the
Senate. on such terms as shall be agreed upon
hereafter"
On this resolution, Messrs. SMITH, Of the Sen
House, voted in the affirmative, and Messrs.
BoRLAND and HAMLIN, Of the Senate, IN the mega
tive.
And this morning the Committee adopted the
following resolution:
Resolved, That for so much of the public print
ing as may be deemed necessary by the commit
tee to remedy any neglect or delay on the part Of
the contractor, ME-. Hamilton, 10 execute the
work ordered by Congress, the persons doing the
work under the direction of this Committee be
allowed the same price as contained IN Mr.. Rives'
bid for printing for the Thirty-second Congress;
provided that in no case shall pay be allowed for
double composition.
Yras Messrs. SMITH Of the Senate, GoRmaN,
SrANroN and HAVEN of the House, 4. Nays,
Mr.. HAMLrs Of the Senate, l.. MIR. BoRLAND be-
ing absent.
Mr.. GORMAN was also appointed this morn
ing 10 confer with the parties, and get from them
in writing their acceptance or non-aecsptance OF
Mr.. B. said he deemed it due 10 himself to say
that these resolutions were adopted without his
concurrence He had no doubt that the commit
tee had technically the power UNDER the joint
olution of 1876, under which the committee acted
10 make this arrangement; but he was Of opinion
that il was not good policy TO take such a step
without first presenting the matter to Congress.
And further, the action Of the committee had not
in his opinion been in accordance with the rules
which properly governed the action OF the Joint
Committee He held that Joint Committees OF the
two Houses in cases involving a question OF pro-
priety, should act separately and report to their
respective Houses. In this opinion he had been
overruled, and consequently the action Of the
Joint Committee had been against the views Of
majority OF the Committee on Printing OF the
Senate.
He was unwilling to participate in such pro-
ceedings and therefore he asked 10 be excused
from the service on the committee.
He was excused and the presiding officer was
authorized 10 f the vacancy.
Mr.. RUSK was appointed.
FRENCH sPoLIATIoNs.
On motion Of Mr.. BRADBuRr, after some debate,
the Senate proceeded 10 the consideration Of the
bill approprGtipg a sum ''not exceeding FIVE mil
lions OF dollars" 70 the payment Of claims for spo
liations by the French, prior TO the year 1900.
The vote on taking up was taken by yeas and
nsys and resulted, yeas %, nays 10.
Mr.. BRADBURY explained and advocated the
bill.
Messrs. UNDERWOOD and HALE proposed
various amendments.
Mr.. BORLAND moved to strike out the sppro-
pration Of sum not exceeding FIVE millions. He
was opposed TO paying anything at all; but II
ANYTHING was allowed, he would pay the full
amount without limitation.
Mr. FELCH entered into minute historical
argument 10 prove that the claims were not valid.
Without concluding, he gave way to an adj