The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-02-23
CONGRESS.

TUESDAY, Feb. Is. - The only
important event in Congress was
the passage by the House Of the SEN
ate bill to amend the Silver Coinage
ayes 81, noes not counted. The bill
provides that on and after June /,
1858, the weight of the half dollar shall
be 1872 grains, and the smaller pieces
in their respectivcs ratios /; that silver
coin shall be legal tender for sums
not exceeding S. the bullion to be
purchased by the Treasurer of the Mint
with the bullion fund of the mint sill
yer to be paid in exchange for gold in
sums not less than 500 gold or silver
deposited for coinage may be cast into
bars or ingots, stamped, with an add
tional charge upon the depositor /; and
new gold piece Of the value of 81 is
to be coined from time to time, accord
Ing to device and shape to be fixed by
the Secretary Of the Treasury. The
act is to iuto operation on the LIST Of
June next.
Wednesday, Feb Is.
SENATE.-Mr. Gwin moved to take W
the Pacific Railroad bill, and said he
would regard the vote on his motion as
test vote OH that bill-Lost.
The Senate took up the resolutions OF
the Committee on Foreign Relations
relative to the right of way across the
lsthmus of Tehuantepec.
Mr.. Brooke resumed and concluded
his remarks in favor of the resolution.
HousE.-The Post Office appropria-
ton bill passed.
The next one was the reciprocal trade
ill, which, at the instance of Mr.. Sey-
mour, was laid over TIL Thursday.
The House then went into Committee
of the Whole on the civil and diplomat.
ic appropriation bill
Thursday, Feb. II.
SENATE-Mr. Douglas reported back
the House bill establishing the terrific
rial governments of Nebraska and Wash
ington.
Mr.. Bright offered a resolution calling
for copies of the reports of the qualities
of the several coal fields and coal mines
of the Western States.
The resolution of the Committee on
Foreign Relations. concerning the Te-
huantepec treaty, was postponed until
Wednesday next, when Mr.. Norris has
the floor
The Pacific Railroad bill was then ia
ken up, and Mr.. Bell resumed and con-
Guided his speech in faver of the bill,
commenced on Saturday, 5th inst.
Mr. Smith followed in favor of the
bill. In the course of his remarks, he
said he was perfectly willing to leave
this matter to be arranged by the in
coming President.
HousE.-PToceediDgs unimportant.
Friday, Feb. IS.
SENArE.-Mr. Gwin moved to take
up the Pacific Railroad bill, which was
agreed to.
Mr.. Cooper then spoke for more than
an hour in opposition to the bill, and in
favor Of Mr. Brodhead's substitute,
which strikes out all after the enacting
clause, and inserts provisions for prelm-
mary surveys and explorations of the
country, with a view to ascertain the
most practicable route for the construc-
tion of the road
Messrs. Dodge, of Iowa, and Geyer
the bill.
slessrs Soule and Bradbury said they
would vote against the substitute, but
were not thereby to be regarded as
friendly to the bill as it now stood.
Mr.. Brodhead's substitute was then
rejected-yeas ~, nays "a.
Mr.. Mason earnestly opposed the bill
Mr.. Pratt replied, saying a road to
California was indispensable for the
protection of that State.
HousE-Mr Duncan, from the Com
nittec on Commerce, reported the light
house bill.
The House then went into commit
zee on the civil aud diplomatic appropri.
ltion bill.
Without coming to any action on the
dill, the Committee'rose.
Saturday, Feb. 10