The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-03-03
WEDNESDAY,, March 2, 1853
SENATE.
DIIN "A I Il.
APPROPRIATION BILLS.

APPROPRIATION BILLS.
Mr.. HUNTER. from the Committee on Finance,
reported back the Indian Appropriation bill, with
amendments.
Also the Navy Appropriation bill, without
amendments.
He moved that the Senate proceed to the con
sideration of the Civil and Diplomatic Appropria-
ton BILL and the motion agreed to.
Mr.. JAMES moved to amend that part of the
bill admitting machinery used for spinning and
weaving hax, by inserting the word preparing
before the word spinning.
Mr.. BORLAND moved to amend by adding
after 'shax'' the words sand cotton;" which was
lest.
After some debate, Mr. JAMEs's amendment it
self was adopted-yeas is, nays II.
RAILROAD LANDS.
The question then required on the amendment
proposed last night by Mr.. FELCH, reserving from
sale the land for six miles each side of euch
routes may be proposed by States for the loca-
ton of railroads. To which Mr.. WALKER moved
TO add proviso, that such reservation should not
exclude from tie settlement of such lands by per-
sons who shall awear they take the same for ac-
tua settlement
After debate by Mr.. UNDERWOOD in opposi-
ton TO the proviso. and MIR. WALKER in its sup-
port, 1t was agreed 10.
Inc amendment as amended was then rejected.
RAILROAD IMPROVEMENTS.
Mr.. FOOT moved to amend the bill by adding
thereto the folio~ing:
SEC. :. Ind be ii further enacted That the sum
OF twenty five thousand dollars be, and is hereby,
appropriated for testing the capacity and practical
value of the invention for improvement in the
atruction OF railroad tracks and locomotive engines
by Colonel James S. French of Virginia, for the
use of the Government of the United States, by
constructing line of railroad on said improved
plan, under the superintendent of said James S.
French, of such length and between such points az
sbali fully test its practicability and value, and
especially its superiority over all other plans in
overcoming heavy grades; and that the same shall
be expended under the direction of the Secretary
OF the Interior, upon the application of the said
James S French.
Mr.. ADAMS said that the Senate ought now To
vote down this and all other amendments to this
bill. Unless it adopted this course, the appropria-
lion bills would be lost, and that would involve the
necessity for an extra session of Congress; and
that would involve the death of the political party
coming in power.
MIR. RUSK supported the amendment; and
Messrs. PEARCE, SHIELDS, and NORRIS OPP
posed it.
SOLDIERS
Mr.. BRODHEAD moved to amend the bill by
adding thereto several additional sections, provid
ing for making the grant of land to all the soldiers
of the war OF 1872, one hundred and sixty Of
land; which, after debate, was rejected.
A large number of other amendments were pro-
posed all of which were voted down.
At half past one the bill was read third time,
and passed.
CENSUS RETURNS.
The Senate proceeded to consider House resolu.
which was amended in several particulars, and
then passed.
OFFICE APPROPRIATION
Bill was then taken up, and numerous amend
ments were adopted.
Mr.. WELLER moved TO amend the bill by add
ing thereto the sections of the bill directing the
Postmaster General to contract with Alden and
Eddy, of New York, for the construction of a sub
terranean line of telegraph to San Francisco, upon
grant to them OF a million and half of acres Of
land
Mr. HUNTER made two objections to the
amendment There was no time to examine the
subject, and it provided for special legislation in
stead OF leaving IT open to contract with any other
person.
Mr.. WELLER modified his amendment by
striking out the names of Alden and Eddy, and
inserting 'any person or persons"
Mr.. HAMLlN supported the amendment.
Mr.. BELL opposed it. The location of this line
of telegraph would be taken hereafter as the best
route for railroad to the Pacific, and thus pre-
judge that question
MIR. WELLER modified his amendment further
by striking out all indication of the points which
the line shall commence, or the route il shall take
Mr.. DOUGLAS supported the amendment; and
slr. BORLAND opposed it.
Mr.. DAWSON argued at length against the
amendment; and Mr.. DOUGLAS replied.
IA report was here made by committee of con-
ference on the bill for the relief Of Colonel FIRE.
mont, which was concurred in.
The question was taken on the amendment, and
il was rejected-yeas 81, nays 27-as follows;
HEAS.-Messrs. Atchson, Badger, Bradbury,
GAGS, Chase, Clarke. Davis, Dodge of Iowa, Doug
las, Foot, Geyer, Gwin, Hale, Hamlin, James,
Shields, Souls, Sumner, Wade. Walker, and Wei.
ler-21.
NAYS.-Messrs. Adams, Bayard, Bell, Borand
Brooke, Charlton, Da~son, De Saussure, Downs,
Fitzpatrick, Houston, Jones of Tennessee, Man.
gum. Mason, Miller, Morton, Norris, Pearce, Pet
tit, Phelps, Pratt, Rusk, Sebastian, Smith, and
Spruance-25.
Mr. HOUSTON moved to postpone the bill, in
order that he might have an opportunity of ex-
pressing bis views the resolutions affirming the
Monroe doctrine. He said he had forborne for
some tune, in order to expedite the public bust
ness; he asked the Senate to extend this cour-
tesy TO him.
The motion was rejected-ayss l5, noes lS-
sTEAMERs TO CHINA.
MIR GWIN moved to amend the bill, by adding
tnereto provisions authorizing the Postmaster
Generai to contract for a semi monthly mail. in
steamers OF two thousand tons each, between San
francisco. via the Sandwich Islands, to Shanghai,
Gnina' az BIZ hundred thousand dollars per annum
mr.. MUS ION said as il was allowable in de-
bate to speak OF all subjects a. well az the one par
ticuiarly under consideration, be hoped no one
would object to bis speaking on this pronoa;t;on to
build war-steamers, the Question ~ Eors;rr
relations. He then for more Than an hon- e
dressed the Senate against the resolutions