The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-03-03

The appeal was debated at great length and
the decision of the Chair was observation-disclosures
40, nays s.
Mr.. Walker modified his amendment, 80 as
to confne it TO a grant Of land TO actual set
tiers for the alternate sections along the line Of
said road, six miles on each side and the 9th
ers for the railroad; and the money appropri-
ated to be used in the necessary survey
The Chair decided this 10 be in order.
Mr.. Chase appealed; and after a long de-
bate, the decision was sustained-yeas 25, nays
10.
Mr. Adams then addressed the Senate in OBJ
position to the Homestead bill and in favor of
graduating the price of the public lands
Mr.. Charlton followed in opposition to the
Homestead bill
Mr. Dodge of Iowa, and Mr. Hale, defended
that bill
Mr. Butler replied
Before coming TO vote, the subject was
postponed and the Senate proceeded to con-
slider Executive business
At a late hour the doors were opened and
the Senate adjourned.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25.
The Army Appropriation bill was taken up.
Mr.. Walkers amendment directing a survey
and location of railroad to the Pacific, and
granting alternate sections of the public land
to actual settlers free of charge, and the resi-
due of the land to be sold, and the proceeds Of
such land to be devoted to the construction of
said road, was the pending question. This was
further debated, and then rejected-yess H.
nays 80.
Mr.. Chase's amendment, for survey and
exploration of the most practicable route for
that railroad, wss, after further debate, agreed
to-yeas 81, nays 16.
An amendment appropriating 100000 to
the discoverer Of the an@sthetic agent used in
surgical cases in the army and navy, the per-
son to whom the same is to be paid to be as
certained by judicial inquiry was debated and
passed
MIR. Douglas moved an amendment author
izing the President to contract for the construc-
ton and defence of wagon road from the
valley of the Mississippi to Oregon and Califor-
MIA, granting lands for that purpose this was
agreed tO-yeas %, nays %.
The bill was reported, and all the amend
ments made in Committee except three: lst,
striking out the provision that armories shall
be under civil superintendence I'd the one au-
thorizng the construction of wagon road to
the Pacific; and, Sd, one relating to the Blue
Lick Springs. Separate votes were taken on
these-the first was disagreed to; the second
was agreed to; the third was agreed to, after
strikingou Blue Licks and inserting "ste."
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY %.
Mr. Hunter, from the Committee on Finance,
reported back the Civil and Diplomatic Appro-
priation bill, with numerous amendments. He
said he would move to take it up as soon as the
Army bill was disposed Of
MIR. Hunter moved to take up the Army APP
preparation bill.
The motion was agreed to-
The question pending was on the amendment
proposed by Mr.. DAVIS, and modified at the
suggestion of Mr.. Shields to strike out the pro-
vision placing the national armories under the
charge of civil superintendents, and to insert,
in lieu thereof provision modifying the act
of 1912 so as to authorize the President when
in his opinion it is desirable, to appoint SUI
perintendent who was not of the army and
also to direct that a mixed commission of civil
ians and officers be appointed to examine and
report which system of superintendency, civil
or military, is best calculated to promote the
public interests
The question being taken, the motion was
agreed to-yeas 90, nays "a.
The bill was then read third time, and
passed.
Mr.. Hunter moved that the Senate proceed
to consider the Civil and Diplomatic Appropri-
alton bill.
The motion was agreed to.
In order that time might be saved, no amend
ments were offered in Committee of the Whole
and the bill was reported to the Senate.
Mr.. Hunter from the Committee on Finance
submitted large number of amendments
which occupied the time of the Senate till after
4 o'clock
Amongst the amendments disposed of were
the following:
To strike out the provision of the bill which
prevents any part of the Patent Office building
being used by the Secretary of the Interior fol
any purposes other than those of the Psten
Office
Messrs. Walker, Davis and James, opposed
striking out the provision.
Messrs Cass Borland, and Hunter replied
1t was then stricken Out--yeas "a, nays %.
To strike out the appropriations for the con
struction Of the custom house at st. Louis
$4,000; at Louisville $87, 745; and at Cincin.
matt, $s7,745
After debate, the Senate refused to strike
out.
The appropriation for the Minister to China
was raised to $4,000, including outfit
Twenty thousand dollars was added to de-
fray the expenses of the officers &C.. of the
steam frigate sent to the Worlds Fair at New
York, during their stay in this country.
The bill was then postponed
The Senate adjourned