The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-02-10
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE.
MONDAY, January al.

| 9ANNHNf 81
Immediately after reading the journal, Mr.
Jones, of Tennessee, moved to take up the Sen
ate bill abolishing imprisonment for debt in
tho District of Columbia
The bill having been reported and read a
first and second time,
Mr. Jones moved that il be made the special
order for tomorrow, ut O'Clock which was
agreed to.
Mr.. Jenkins then arose and announced the
death Of the Hon. Alexander H. Buell., one OF
the delegates from the State of New York, and
entered into brief history of his private life
and public career He concluded by moving
the usual resolutions, and that the House ad
journ.
Mr.. Ives followed with similar expression
of feeling and testimony Of the worth of the
departed member
The resolutions having been passed,
The House adjourned
TUESDAY, FEhRVARY 1.
MIR. Durham Of Indiana, from the Commit
toe of Ways and Means, reported a bill, and
submitted an amendment The object Of the
bill is to authorize an issue of silver coinage Of
less weight than that at present in circua-
ton
The morning hour having expired before he
concluded, the bill WIS ordered to be printed.
Mr.. Jones, Of Tennessee, moved 10 take up
the bill abolshing the giving bail and impris-
onment for debt on mesne process The OBJ
ject of the first provision Of the bill is 10 abol-
ish imprisonment on mesne process; tho second
though in general terms is 10 effect tho llber-
alton of an individual, whose case il one of DO
ouliar hardship. He came on from New Mex
leo to prosecute claim OF S24, 900, which had
been awarded by Congress. but had been con-
fined for several months ut the suit of the at
torney who had prosecuted his claim, and who,
it was stated by Mr.. Clingman, had received
$4,000.
Mr. Jones concluded by moving the previous
question under tho operation OF winch, the
bill was read u third time and passed-yeas
1871, nays %.
The House then went into Committee of the
Whole, and took up the bill for the support of
the army.
Various amendments were moved among
others, one restoring the superiptendence OF
the armories to civil superintendents
Mr. Evans, of Maryland opposed the amend
ments, the effect Of which would be- to create
appointments for political partisans. He CON
tended that the armores had boen badly man
aged under civil management and that the
price Of arms had been much reduced under
military superintendence.
Mr.. German, of Indiana, who had submitted
the amendment, said the subject had been be-
fore Congress during three years. and report
had been published. A careful investigation
had been gone into in the report, and COM
parison bod been made between the expense Of
the military and civil superintendence, which
had been less under tho former thap the latter.
He denied that ths object Of the amendment
was TO provide for political partisans.
Mr.. lngersoll, Of Connecticut was 10 favor
Of the amendment on the ground that Amer,
osn citizens should not be placed under militia
~ rule and cited cases Of what he considered
70 be hardship in which workmen were not
permitted 70 read books or papers during the
bours Of labor, and were compelled to be pune
tuai in their attendance and attention 10 their
duties, ut Springfield
Mr. stanly, Of North Carolina, opposed tho