Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-12-20
DOINGs OF CONGRESS-.

SENATE. To-day. prayer was short, and
the Journal, from the small amount Of real
business done yesterday, still smaller; the
reading consequently did not take up much
time.
The business consisted exclusively of pre-
senting petitions, memorials claims, &c, the
greater part of which were of too private or
local character to interest the generality OF
our readers.
MIR. Seward presented memorial from citi-
zens of Detroit n Y. in favor of ship canal
round the Falls of Niagara.
Mr.. Miller, one from the Officers OF the
T. ). Army in California asking for extra
compensation for services along the frontier
coast. The Senator from California hoped
that the petition would receive IL careful con
sideration from the Committee. 1t was i'm
possible for them to subSist on their present
pay. a Colonel there on the frontier re-
ccIved less compensation than the brick
mHsons in San Francisco. For his part he
considered that it required much ability
to command regiment as to make a brick
wall. The lleutenants of regiments received
less pay than the scavengers Of San Francisco
Referred to Committee on Military Affairs
Mr. Fitzpatrick presented a petition for re-
mission OF duty on RAILROAD iron
Mr. Fish presented memorial from the
\. I. Chamber of Commerce.
Mr.. Foot gave notice of q bill for grantiny
the public lands to the different States OF the
Union.
Mr. Stuart introduced bill for a railroad
through Michigan from Il point somewhere
about Mackinaw
Mr.. Badger introduced bill for the relief
of Emily Washington and Others. Referred
to Committee On Naval Affairs
Mr. Hamlin introduced bill for the paw
ment OF American citizens by French Spolia-
tions prior to 1901 Referred TO Committee on
Foreign Relations
Mr. Seward brought forward Il resolution
that inquiry be made whether law exists
respecting American citizens born in foreign
countries
Mr.. Thompson of Kentucky, introduced a
bill to compensate the officers and soldiers OF.
the Virginia line OF State and Continental
Armies. Referred to Committee On Reyuiu-
tionary Claims.
Mr.. Everett introduced bill for the fur
Their accommodation of the Courts of ,he
United states in the district of Massachusetts,
Referred to the Judiciary Committee
Mr. johnson Introduced n bill for railway
through Louisiana, Arkansas and Missouri
beginning in the former State and terminal
ing at st. Josephs Mo. Referred to Commit
tee on Public Lands
Mr.. Sumner gave notice of resolution that
all proceedings of the Senate should be open.
except on certain occasions, which were de-
.cribei.
Mr.. Cas- introduced Il resolution for the
payment of a supernumerary messenger em-
ployed by the Sergeant at Arms: which led 20
little passage at arms but which ended in
nothing.
Other business of miscellaneous character
was the. transacted, during which we were
compelled 10 leave.
HoUsE.-To-day, the doorkeeper was di
roeted to hvep register OF the names Of all
persons entitled 10 admission upon tie door
Of the Hall by the Speaker. that officer having
announced to the House tn 1t it had become
his duty to so di.cr. the doorkeeper for the
protection OF ,Le latter. The House then
voted lis sanction Of this action of the Speaker
The committees being next called on Err
reports. Mr.. Russell, from the Committee on
Printing reported back the resolution refer.
red on the day before. ordering the printing
OF 3G0 extra copies of the annual report of the
Commissioner of the General Land Gft;re for
the use OF the said Commissioner: which was
agreed to.
DIR. Eastman reported back a private bill
from the Committee on Military Affairs; re-
TERED to Committee Of the whole House
MIR. Bocock reported, from, the Committee on
Naval Affairs, IA bill authorizing tie construc-
Navy; referred to the Committee OF the " hole
on the state Of the Union
Mr.. Mace reported, from the Committee on
Claims. bills for the relief of Isaac T. Shining
ton and Madison Pardon; which were several
ly commit, ed
ar. Fuller reported private bill from the
Committee on Commerce, the title of which
we could not learn; it was committed
MIR. Benton moved to be excused from
serving as Chairman of the Library Commit
tee; agreed to.
The Speaker then namel Mr.. Chandler on
that committee in Mr.. Eeutons stead.
The question then arose on the bending
motion to lay on the table the Joint resolution
u authnrlse the Secretary of the Interior to
purchase the Mount Vernon estate. provided
he can obtain from Virginia 4 cession of her
jurisdiction over it on which the ycas and
nays had been ordered; and being put, twas
duly lad On the table-yeas IS. nays So
1t was then moved to reconsider that vote.
Wheren.on Mr.. Jones of Ten moved to Law
that last motion on the table; laid on the ia
blc-yeas 81, nays So
Mr. Houston moved to go into a Committee
OF the Whole on the state of tho Un,on-n,.t
agreed to-
The Speaker then commenced to call the
States for resolutions pending which pro-
ceedihgs we were compelled to close our re-
port.