The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-11
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS


structine the Committee on Foreign Relations, to
inquire into the propriety OF authorizing the Pres
ident of the United States, TO have investigation
made whether any Spanish subjects, not citizens
of the United States, have sustained damage OF
loss of property, or otherwise, in consequences OF
nublic outbreak or otherwise in the State OF Lou
isiana, growing out Of the late Cuba expeditions
and into the proprieiy of authorlsing the PresI-
dent to make indemnity to the Spanish govern
ment for such Spanish subjects for said damage.
Mr. M. explained his object IN offering the reso-
luton. He had reason to believe that Spanish
citizens did sustain very serious losses IN conse-
quence of those disturbances, and he thought tn is
government could do no less than to make full in
demnity for such losses The resolution was
precisely like a resolution which he offered two
months since, in reference to similar losses OF
Spanish subjects in Pensacola. That resolution
brought the subject to the notice ofthe Committee
on Foreign Relations; but he had heard nothing
from it. He hoped this would receive their
prompt attention.
The resolution was adopted
xEcoNNIsANcEs IN CALIFORNIA.
Mr. WELLER submitted a resolution which
was agreed to, directing the Secretary Of War to
communicate to the Senate copy of the recon
noisance of the gulf Of California and the Coora-
do river made in 1850 and 1851 by lieutenant
of the corps Of Typographical engineers, together
with copy Ofthe report made by said officer to
the department, in relation to the Pulare lake and
its vicinity.
ABOLITION OF "HosrITAL TAXES"
Mr.. SUMNER offered the following resolution
which was agreed to:
RESOLVED, That the Committee on Commerce be
directed to consider the expedency Of abolishing
by law the exaction of 30 cents from the notify
wages Of seamen in the marine service Of the
United States, and of boatmen on the western wa
ters constituting what is called hospital money,
so that when seamen are disabled they may en-
Joy their present privileges at the marine hospital
without present taxes.
RAILRoAD BILLS.
On motion of Mr.. MORTON, the Senate pro-
ceeded to the consideration Of the bill granting the
right of way, and making grant Of land to the
States Of Florida and ALBANIA, in aid of the con-
sruction Of railroad from the waters Of the PEN
sacoa Bay, in Florida, to Montgomery, in the
State Of Alabama, and for other purposes.
The bill was amended so to conform to the
other railroad bills which have passed the Senate
Mr. MORTON moved further amendment
extending to the said States like advantages, priv
ileges and benefits for the construction Of rail-
road from the waters of Pensacola Bay to the
waters Of the Chattahoochie and Flint rivers, in
the State of Georgia
The amendment was agreed to, and the bill was
ordered to engrossment.
On motion of Mr.. UNDERWOOD, the Senate
proceeded to the consideration of the bill granting
lands and the right of way to the States of lndi-
ana and Illinois, in aid of the construction of
railroad from point on the Ohio river, opposite
to Louisville, Kentucky, to point opposite to
st. Louis, in Missouri.
Like amendments were made, and the bill was
ordered to engrossment
JUDICIAL SALARIES.
Mr. FISH submitted resolution directing the
Committee on the Judiciary to inquire into the ex
pedency of increasing the salary of the United
States District Judge for The northern district of
New York, which was considered and agreed to-
THE DEFICIENCY BILL-THE COLLINS LINE
The Senate then resumed the consideration of
the bill providing for the supply of deficiencies in
the appropriations for the service of the current
fiscal year the amendment reported by the Com
mittee on Finance to increase the compensation of
the Collins line Of steamers being under consider
alton.
Mr. WADE, Of Ohio, addressed the Senate in
opposition to the amendment. He spoke with
much emphasis against making any further grants
for the purpose Of aiding the Atlantic navigation
interests, until the West had received her due.
He was surprised to see some of his Western
friends sustaining this Collins appropriation, when
the rivers and harbors of the w est were so much
neglected. He inquired of the Senator from
Michigan whether he, who was so ready to vote
of this Collins line, would vote an appropriation
for the purpose of improving the rivers and har-
bors OF the West.
MIR. CASS said his views were the same as
they had always been upon the subject of inter-
nal improvements. He would vote for bill
making reasonable, but not extravagant appro-
priations for such purposes.
Mr.. WADE expressed his qualification at the
reply AS to the arguments of gentlemen who
had attempted to show that these steamers were
adapted to war service, he had no faith in them.
A single shot from the mouth of cannon would
disable them just as easily would shoot
wild goose upon the wing. Gentlemen talked
about the splendid furniture of these steamers-of
what use would all that be in a naval fight, In
his opinion, such splendid equipments were better
calculated for an Eastern seraglio than for ship
Of war.
In conclusion, he called upon Western men to
join with him in doing justice to the West. Let
them set their faces like brass against every other
interest until that was done. For one he would
not give a dollar for the purpose of sustaining the
ocean navigation interest until it was done. The
course of gentlemen astonished him. They were
sending out to japan expeditions, and bolstering
up this and that interest, and ransacking Heaven
and earth to find an interest, and did not know
yet that they had "A West He was not disposed
to be sectional; but he wanted en-handed justice
done to the West.
the Senate in earnest support of the Collins line
He defended the steamers for war purposes, con-
sderng them as Of the greatest value as auxia-
res to the SERVICE if not fitted for all the purposes
Of war. This was not monopoly as some gen.
tlemen contended. 1t was rather the establish
ment Of American competition for the purpose of
destroying British monopoly. He answered
rious other objections to the amendment, and adj
vocated it not as local, but great national
interest
At the conclusion of his remarks there was a
general cry of question: Question:"
Mr.. MALLORY renewed the amendment which
he offered on Friday last transferring the appro-
priation from the Navy to the Post Office Depart
ment. He stated that the Naval Committee were
unanimous in recommending that the appropria-
ton be placed upon that footing, as they regarded
this as strictly mail service, and whether the
steamers could hereafter be fitted for wei services
or not, they were not at present adapted to that
service.
Mr. BADGER said he offered an amendment
to the same effect the other day, by direction Of
the Naval Committee, but withdrew it at the sug-
gestion of several senators who thought it calcu-
lated to embarass the bill For the same rerson,
he hoped his friend from Florida would consent
to withdraw the proposition.
On motion, the Senate then adjourned.