Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-12-23
PROCEEDINGS OF TO D.4T.

Mr.. Jstuart presented memorial for the
erection of lighthouse at Cape James or
Beaver Island, Michigan.
Mr. Bright presented Il petition from Off
GERS employed in Oregon for increase of paw
Referred to the Committee on Military Affairs
Mr.. Mason recommended that the select
committee OF three appointed yesterday be
increased to five
Mr.. Jones of Ten. gave notice of the intro
ductlon of bill to distribute the public lands
among the different States
Mr.. johnson asked leave to be excused from
serving on the Special Committee Granted
Mr.. James gave notice of Introducing a bill
TO present sword to the nearest male rela-
tive of Major Samuel Ringgold.
Mr. Sebastian brought in bill respecting
claims OF parties during the war of 1872
read twice and referred to committee.
Mr. Pratt moved that certain bills which
had been deliberated on during the last scs-
sion, should be now taken up and passed :;
which was done.
Mr. BrOdhead gave notice of introducing n
bill against cOunterfeiting.
Mr. Gwin introduced an act to amend an
act for the settling of private land claims in
California, which was read twice and after
wards read a third time
MIR. Petit suggested tina the time for set
Ting these private land claims in California
should be extended.
In tho Intervening time between the second
and third reading of the above
MIR. Fish presented an invitation to the
senate from the Board of Directors of the
New York Industrial Exhibition to visit the
crystal Palace in body. allusion being made
to the Inaugural visit Of the President
On molten of Mr., Badger after the passage
OF the California private land ac.s the Senate
adjourned until Tuesday next
Hot sE.-To day. after the reading of the
journal, resolution was agreed to. TO adiou, n
over until Tuesday next, when they should
adjourn to-day.
The Speaker then laid before the House n
long communication from the clerk. concern
ing the distribution of certain books and C.
umentS. ordered by the House at the last ses-
SION to be distributed among the members:
the question being as to whether ex-membcrs
are entitled TO documents as well az hooks
which were not delivered when the ptreent
Congress met
MIR. Orr moved Its refE,snce tn tho Commit
tee on the Judiciary, on the ground that it in
Voived difficult legal question
Mr Houston added motion that it be
printed, which he subsequently Withdrew.
MI Jones, of Tennessee opposed the mo.
tlon OF Mr.. Orr, on the ground that it heinz
| clear that the documents. had been printed
TOT general distribution among the prbrIr
ana not IA gratuitv To rnembsrs 81 Congress
they should all he delivered to members If tho
prereht tnngress. who alone could frame Them
for free distribution by mail lie conceived
that the books, &c. on hand should iron
eriy z" TO eX:mcmhnr- r. Congress had or
dered mr. distribution among the members
clearly for their benefit only. lie was for dis.
posing of the subject at once.
Mr.. Orr reJoIned-hoding that tho ,srrr
ence t" he proposed wa- NECESSARY. as there
were certainly ''rinriant legal question. in.
'"i'cE IN the matter, though he diSclaime!
any doubt of the general propriety of the
| views OF Mr.. Jones, of Ten, upon the ultimate
disposition of the subject, in which be though,
IL Pr"baoie, the Committee on the Judiciary
would concur.
The previous question on agreeing to the
motion of Mr.. Orr was then called which be.
ing Seconded by the House;
Inc question being put on the motion to
refer, and it was not agreed to-
Mr.. Florence moved to refer the said COM
munlcatiOn to the Committee Of the Whole on
the state of the Union.
MIR. +. then addressed The House Mt length
IN favor ri sending such document to ey
members, agreeing with Mr. Orr. in his esti-
mate Of the injustice of Withholding from them
the back volumes of such volumnous do,u.
men's as they had already received ia ra-t.
anu urging that they ere entitled t, all they
hao "r"ered, except In case Of the death Of the
eX- ihemher since he lift CoKgtess: lie ex:
planned that the cx-members hal given such
Volumes alreatiy received to literary and sci
enuhe institutions and were under pledges to
them to make their sets complete as they 1.-THE
ex-members,) might receive them from Con
gress.
This debate was further crntintied by Mr.
stanton. q Tennessee, who sustained the
position held by his colleague Mr. Jones
Mr.. Florence withdrew his mutton to COIN
nit.
Mr.. JONES' CT tennessee, moved IA resolu-
ton directing the Clerk to distribute all such
extra documents on hand to members Of the
present Congress; agreed to.
An Intellectual motion was made to adjourn.
The Senate joint resolution for relief of the
owners of the brig Late Boyd was next read
twice, and referred
Mr. Edserton moved to go into Committee
of the Weole on the Private Calender not
agreed to-
Mr.. Jones of Ten. moved to 60 into Com.
mittee of the Whole on the state of the Union;
agreed TO.
SO Mr.. Orr being called TO the Chair, Mr..
Phillips addressed the Committee nhe refer
ence of the Presidents Message being before
them in reply to the speech of Mr. Bayly
OF Va, delivered on the day before, upon tho
Assistant Secretary OF the Treasury question