Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-23
House of Representatives.

House OF Representatives. NJ
DELEGATE FROM NEBRASKA.
Mr.. HEM presented the credentials OF II. D.
Johnson delegate from Nebraska !; which were
referred to the Committee on Elections.
MAIL STEAM SERVICE.
The SPEAKER laid before the House COM
munication from the Postmaster General, encos-
ing the estimates for the mail steam service for
the ensuing fiscal year. Referred to the Commit
tee of Ways and Means.
BOUNTY LANDS.
Mr.. COBB introduced bill giving further time
for satisfying claims for bounty lands and for other
on Public Lands
PAY OF ARMY OFFICERS.
On motion Of Mr. HOUSTON, a resolution was
adopted, nstructing the Committee on Military
Affairs 10 inquire into the expedency of modify
ing the laws fixing pay and allowances 10 officers
of the army, as to give compensation in money per
month and such rations in kind as may be neces-
sary for their subsistence, abolishng longevity ra-
tons, together with all other extra allowances;
and also into the propriety Of so modifying the ex-
listing laws, that brevet appointments shall in no
case increase the compensation
NAVY YARDs--MARINE HosPrTALs-THE MARINE
On motion Of Mr.. HOUSTON, resolution was
adopted nstructing the Committee on Naval AT
fairs to inquire into the expediency of abolishing
such of the navy yards and marine hospitals as
can be dispensed with, consistent with the public
interests, and curta the annual expenses of those
retained, and TO abolish all extra allowances and
rations of the officers of the marine corps.
FRENCH sPoLIATIoNs.
Mr. DISNEY introduced bill providing for in
demnity 10 certain American citizens for spoa-
tons by the French prior 10 1901. Referred to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs.
NEBRASKA.
Mr.. MILLER, of Missouri, introduced bill 10
organize the Territory Of Nebraska; which was
referred TO the Committee on Territories.
CLAIM AGENTS.
MIR. WENTWORTH, of Illinois, offered the fol-
lowing resolution. sA sG,5i sNNst a.3t
Resolved That the Committee Rules be instructed to
inquire into the expediency Of providing by rule for the
equalization of the privileges Of claim agents in Congress-
admit all persons within the bar of the House
may be claim agents. else to exclude theprvilege from
persons who may be engaged in lobbying for cams the
object being to give claim agent advantages
another within the bar Of the House.
Mr.. BAYLY said the subject was now before
the committee Being opposed to "this piece Of
Buncombe,7 he moved that the resolution be laid
upon the table.
The motion was disagreed to, and the resolution
passed. 49,
CALIFORNIA.
Mr.. LATHAM introduced bill authorizing
and directing certain moneys TO be paid TO Cali
forna collected in the ports ofsad State since the
ratification of the treaty ofpeace with Mexico, and
prior 10 the admission ofthat State into the Union.
Referred 10 the Committee of Ways and Means.
A large number of other bills were introduced
ant referred, and several resolutions adopted.
PRESIDENTS NE ssAGE.
The House resolved itself into a Committe OF
the Whole on the state Of the Union-Mr. ORR in
the chair-and resumed the consideration of the
resolutions proposing TO refer TO the appropriate
committees the several branches of the Presi-
dents message.
Mr.. WRIGHT, of Pennsylvania, said that the
opening debate at the commencement OF this SEES
sion, had taken somewhat unusual turn. He
did not think that the country was al all prepared
TO anticipate such result He was one of those
who believed that after the great contest which
the country had passed through-when both
OF the great political parties Of the nation came to-
gether in honorable warfare, and when the great
battle was fought and the victory won-abolition-
ism was dead and buried. But day before yester-
day, he gentleman from New York, (Mr. SMTH,)
had exhumed its liieless body, and dragged il be-
fore the House and the country,
He did not propose 10 enter into a discussion OF
the abstract question of slavery the subject having
already been dissected by wiser persons than HIM
SELF until there not limb leff 10 its body but
what was mutlatcd; and at this time the gentle
man from New York, with all his eloquencc and
power, cannot resusctate its putrid form and dis
gusting body.
He then quoted that portion of Mr.. SMITHS
speech in which he said that America is far
greater and guiltier oppressor than Austria, and
that, indeed, Austrian despotism, as compared
with the despoiism which classes men, women,
and children with cattle, is as his little finger COM
pared with the loins." He could not restrain his
feelings, in view of such an assertion, and pro-
ceedcd to recaptulate instances Of Austrian dcs-
potism, dark in contrast with the freedom enjoyed
IN this country; saying that the gentleman from
New York had endeavored TO cast frebrand into
the country, and TO degrade the land Of his birth