The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-01-31
THIRTY-sECoND CONGRESS.
SECOND SESSION.
SATURDAY, January 30, 1858.
The SENATE was not in session to-day.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

the widows and orphans of the officers, seamen,
and marines OF the United States schooner Gram
pus, and for other purposes" approved June %,
lS44. He stated that it was the same in principle
as the bill which passed the House yesterday for
the relief of the widows and relatives OF certain
officers and seamen of the United States brig
Mr.. SWEETSER said he should object to every
bill except that for the relief of General Riley.
Mr.. HAVEN asked the attention of the House 70,
a minute "a voice: "You shall have it') for tht
purpose of introducing bill, of which previous
notice had been given, for the relief of Breve
Major General Bennett Riley, and to enable him
TO settle his accounts with the United States grow
ing out OF military contributions in Mexico. NJ
objection having been interposed-
The bill was read for information, when
Mr.. HAVEN said he felt bound courtesy having
been extended to him by the House, not to ask fol-
the passage of the bill at this time should any gen
tleman object (Many voices: sPass it now
The bill was accordingly carried through the
preliminary stages, and passed.
HALF-PAY TO WIDOWS AND ORPHANS.
The House resumed the consideration of the re-
port of the committee of conference (made yester-
Jay by Mr.. CoBs) on the disagreeing votes of the
two Houses on the amendment OF the Senate to the
bill of the Senate to continue halfpay to certain
widows and orphans. in which they had agreed to
strike out all after the word 'sthat' in the proviso
ofthe House. and insert the following: "The act
approved 22d February, l849, granting five years.
non- commissioned officers, musicians, and pri-
Yates, both regular and volunteer, .be extended
and construed as to embrace the widows and minor
heirs of the officers, non commissioned officers
musicians, and prvates of the regulars and volun-
tecrs OF the war of 1912, and of the various Indian
wars since 1902 and said committee further
agree to recommend the striking out of the word
soldiers, in the Senate amendment to said bill,
and the adoption Of said amendment as amended
The motion with reference to this report) pend
ing from yesterday to lay it upon the table; to
which the House to-day refused to agree-yeas 90,
nays 1923.
The report was then cohcurred in.
SELECT COMMITTEES.
Mr.. McNAIR rose to make an inquiry whether
not the select committees of the last session held
over to the present.
The SPEAKER replied his opinion was they do
not, yet it seemed that this was contemplated by
the House, or that new ones should be appointed.
twas the pleasure of the House, the Chair would
now reappont the select committees which existed
at the close of the last session.
Mr. MCNAlR moved that the select committee
to examine the foundations of the extension of the
Capitol be reappointed.
The SPEAKER announced the question.
Mr.. STEPHENS, of Georgia, objected to the re-
appointment of the select committee.
Mr.. MCNAIR said that the subject to which he
had referred one in which many members
were interested The committee went to the trou-
bic OF summoning witnesses before them, not only
from Washington, but from Boston and New York.
They labored long time in the matter. The in
vestigation was curious one; and if the report
should be brought into the House it would no doubt
interest great many members and other people.
Mr.. HOUSTON objected to the gentleman pro-
ceeding in his remarks.
The SPEAKER said the gentleman from Penn
sylyania Mr.. McNAIR) was not strictly in order.
Mr.. MCNAlR meant to say the majority of the
committee signed the report, but were not able to
present it during the last session. Now, would
the report be cut of by the death of that COM
mittee?
l. G
relative to the business of the last session. and said
he was in doubt to his authority to reappont the
select committees. He asked the House to indi-
cate their pleasure upon the subject.
Mr.. DUNCAN inquired whether the object of
the gentleman from Pennsylvania was further to
pursue the investigation in relation to the founda
ton of the extension of the CAPITOL merely re-
port.
Mr.. McNAlR. To report.
Several points of order were raised and discussed;
and, finally, the motion that the Speaker reap
point the select committees was laid upon the ia
ble-ayes S3, noes not counted.
The House resolved itself into Committee of the
Whole-Mr. HALL in the chair-and considered
two private bills, which were subsequently, report
ed to the House but not finally acted upon.
The House adjourned.
PETITION.
By MIR. SCUDDER: The petition of the owners
OF the schooner "Uncle Amasa" for allowance of
Cedfshery bounty.
Also, of George Lowell and others, of Ostewell
Massachusetts, lor reduction of the of ocean
postage.
MAINE AND MASSACHUSETTS LANp.-The par.
ties who undertook the purchase of the Massachu-
sets lands lying within the State of Maine, and
were folled, in consequence of the refusal of the
Governor and Council of Massachusetts to con.
clude the bargain, have adopted plan by which
they expect to realize at least portion of the pro.
fit they had anticipated from that trade. They
and their friends have gone into the market and
O he ha Of tou, CHI ~
she holds in common with Massachusetts, and which
embraces the principal part of all the valuable
lands owned in Maine by that State. This makes
the individuals in question Joint owners in com.
mon with Massachusetts. And as co.proprfefors
they may go to the lands and ssoperate,n and
afterwards settle with and pay their partners at
their leisure, besides giving just such Flemish
account OF their operations as they see fit to render
This game may be played for about three years,
before Massachusetts extricate herself from
their involuntary partnership, should she desire to
DO 80; Inc design OF the movement is to coerce
that State into sale of her lands in Maine and it
bids fair to be successful. The prices at which the
lands have been sold varies from thirty cents to
s So per acre, and averages not far from half a
dollar acre.
There has long been a good deal of restiveness
and dissatisfaction in Maine at the fact that Mas
sachusetts holds such large tracts of land within
that State free from taxation. We think this last
bold and com prehenslve movement of the great
land and lumber operators in Maine to force them
. selves into joint partnership with the ancient
Commonwealth, will have the effect to end that
partnership quite speediiy.-Neto York Tribune.
DEPARTURE OF Col. HUaHEs.-Col George W
Hughes left Baltimore this morning, en- route for
Europe, as agent of the managers of the New York
Crystal Palace, or Worlds Fair. He goes on mis-
sion, as we have stated before, to several of the
governments of Europe, for the purpose of solicit
ing deposits of the manufactures of those countries
at the exhibition in New York in the month of
May or June next, he himself guaranteeing their
safe return after the close of the great fair. Al
though this errand involves considerable personal
sacrlhce on the part of Col. Hughes, he neverthe.
less old not feel himself at liberty tc decline it.
whist ne saw advantages to our country az likeiy
TO grow out of it. If pretty general deposit of
the products OF art in Europe can be secured at
coming exhibition in New York, information ma "
thereby be obtained of great importance to our
manufacturers, mechanics, and artists and = more
friendly and socalspirt cultivatedbetween our neo
pie and the citizens of thosacountries. The ultimate
result Of this cannot be otherwise advanta
to the commerce of our country, and promotion OF
the best Interests of American agricuturists
Whether he shall succeed or not in bis important
enterprise Col. Hughes deserves the thanks of ali
classes of our people for the public spirit by which
he is actuatea He goes duly accredited to the
governments of the several countries which he in.
tends to visit, and be expects to return home ON OF
about the lat of May next
baltimore argus, 2Sth