Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-02-09
rHIRTY~SEC0ND CONGRESS,
SECOND SESSION

SECOND SESSION. -.
-~o~-~o~~-~~~o-o->Soo-o~or
MoNDAY;, Jan. 81 Senate. -Mr. Hale present
ed two petitions praying the repeal or modifica
ton Of the fugitive slave law, which were laid or
the table.
MIR. Hunter submitted resolution which was
agreed to, directing the appointment of commit
tee to examine and count the returns of votes fol
President and Vice President of the United States
and to inform the persons chosen of their election
Messrs Hunter, Pearce and Bright were appoint.
ed the committee.
After petitions and reports, none of which were
of any public importance, message was received
fran the House, announcing the death of the Hon.
A. H. Buell. of New York. Mr. Seward addressed
the Senate in reference to the deceased, and the
usual resolutions were adopted. hf
House.-After some action on the bill for abol-
ishiHg imprisonment for debt in the District of Co
lumbia, MIR. jenkins, of New York, announced the
death of his colleague. Mr.. Buell. He was fol-
lowed BY Mr.. Ives, O. New York, and the House
adjourned.
TuEspAY.-Senate.- Seward presented
the Joint resolutions of the New York Legislature
concerning the imprisonment of the Madai family
in Tuscany for the alleged crime of reading the
Scriptures. Referred to the Committee on For
eign Relations.
A resolution submitted by Mr. Miller, directing
the preparation of census statistics relating to deaf
mutes. to be finished the institutions for the care
of those persons, was adopted.
The Pacific railroad bill was taken up. Seve-
raj amendments were proposed, and it was then
postponed. .
The senate took up the resolutions reported at
the last session by the committee on foreign rela
tons, relative to the duty of this government to
protect the rights of its citizens under the Garay
grant, for q railroad over the isthmus of Tehuan-
tepec: ~
MIR. Mason addressed the Senate for an hour
and half in vindlcaton of the Garay grant in IA
vor of communication by Tehuantepec with the
Pacific, as the best and most practicable route, and
in earnest exposition of the duties OF this govern
ment to protect this grant, now owned by Its cit
liens.
Mr.. Downs obtained the floor, and the Senate adj
journed. sore.
House.--Mr. Durham, of Indiana, from the
committee on ways and means, reported Dill,
and submitted an amendment. The object OF the
bill is to authoise an issue of silver coinage OF
less weight than that at present in circulation. TO
be received by public departments in less sums
than five dollars, in payment OF dues; and make
tod the standard OF value, and silver subservlent
to it. tt.rs- 9f d.. .r
The bill abolishiug imprisonment for debt in
the District was passed. ...
The House then went into committee Of the
whole, and took DIP the bin for the support OF the
army. ~
Various amendments were moved among others,
one restoring the superintendent of the armorles
to civil superi,tendents which was discussed at
length, and tht committee rse.-
The Senate resolution appointing Committee
to investigate The votes ior President and Vice
President Of the United States was then adopted.
WEDNESDAY - Senate. warehouse bill
was considered aid postponed.
Mr.. Stockton's bill for recognising the Navy
was taken up. Several amendments were sub
mitted, and the Jill was postponed.
Mr. Mas ms Iehuantepec resolutions were re-
sumed. and Mr. Downs addressed the Senate.
Housc-The attendance was very thin, quo
rum not being pfsent.
the Senate I'LL regulating coinage in the Uni
ted States, redusIng tha stan ilg value of hall.
dollars, dimes ard half dimes, was taken up and
considered. t.u :.
Misunderstanding warehouse bill was
taken UP, Mr. Miller spoke in opposition to it, and
it was then POSTPONED. -,
The bill to rearganse the Navy was taken up.
Sixty fix amendments were adopted, and The bill
vas ordered to be eDgrossed. f
The Pacific Railroad bill was again taken up.
4 discussion ensued on Mr.. Brodhead's substitute
combining the work to survey and reconnaissance
of the most practicable route.
Ho,.se.-The bill authcrising the issue Of sill
yer coinage was discussed during the morning
hour.
The House took up the pending motions, to re-
consider the vote by which the bill to admit rail-
road iron free of duty was laid on the table, and
another. to lay the motion to reconsider on the ia
ble The latter motion was carried.
The House then went into Committee of the
FRIpAy.-Sehate.-Mr Fish presented the
memorial ofmembers of the New Yorklegislature,
praying that measures be adopted SO as to secure
the freedom Of conscience to Americans while IN
foreign counties. ..s4
M Hunter submitted resolution in reference
to counting the votes for President and Vice Presl-
dent OF the United States. by the two houses OF
Congress. on the 9th inst, which was agreed to.
House bill for extending fur two years the time
for emigrants to Oregon to take the benefit ofthe
grants of land to actual settlers, was taken up, a.
mended and passed. ~ !
The bill to amend the warehouse system was
passed.
The Pacific Railroad bill was takeh up. Messrs
Davis and Dauglas addressed the Senate in its
support. Mr.. Dawson supported MI. Brodhead's
substitute. ..-t
House.-Nothihg ofthe least interest transpired
misunderstanding bill y re-organlze
the navy of the Emitted States was read the third
time and passed. ,..g ,ee
The Honse bill granting land to Arkansas and
Missouri to aid in the construction OF railroad
from the mouth Of the Ohio to Futon, In Arkan-
sas. was passed.
Mr.. Davis introduced a bill to- regulate the
rights of fishing, &c.,i the Northeastern nshe7
RES =.
Mr.. Butler addressed the Senate in opposition
to the Pacific railroad bill, and MI Bell replied
H6we.-A question connected with the print
ING Of The ceusds returns; was debated during the
day.
oo- The New York Times makes out the fol-