Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-12-29
From Washington.
Thirty-Third Congress-First
Session.
WASHINGTON, Dec. IL.
SENATE.

! II
tions, Mason of Va; Finance, Hunter
Commerce, Hamlin; Manufacturers
Wrigni; Public Lands, Dodge, of Iowa;
Military Affairs, Shields; Naval Affairs
Gwin; Indian Affairs, Sebastian: Claims
Broadhead; District of Columbia, Norris
Judiciary, Butler; Post Office, Rusk
Roads and Canals, Bright; Patents
James; Territories. Douglas; Printing
Mallory; Library, Pearce.
Mr.. James offered resolution that the
select committee appointed by Cong. ess
to investigate the matter of importation
of Merchandise into the u. s., with q
view to detect frauds, be permitted tc
make no report. Adopted.
The chair presented resolutions OF
merchants of New York, protesting a.
aginst the course of the administration ia
removing Collector Bronson.
Bills were introduced for granting
land TO Iowa and California for railroad
purposes.
On motion of Mr.. Gw;n, the Home
stead bill was reported TO committee on
Public Lands.
Mr.. Seward gave notice of a bill to
aid the State of New York in cons,ruc.
ting ship canal around the Falls OF
+ .agara.
Several petitions for cheap ocean
postage, were presented.
A resolution calling upon the President
for all correspondence between the
British Government and the United
States. relative TO the treaty of Washing
ton; also, copies of the instructions to
foreign ministers, was, on motion, of
Mr.. Cass, adopted.
Beverly Tucker was elected printer to
the Senate.
The Chair presented resolutions and
proceedings of public meeting of mer.
chants, of the city of New York. held
in October. protesting against the course
pursued by the Administration relative
to lis Interference in the local politics of
a State, in the removal of Collector
Bronson. The Senate then adjourned.
. HOUSE.
The Standing Committees were an.
nounced. The chairmen of the prin.
cipal ones are: OF Commerce, Fuller;
Public Lands, Disney; Post Office. Olds;
Judiciary. Stanton of Tennessee; Indian
Affairs, Orr; Military Affairs, Benton;
Naval Affairs, Bocock; Foreign Affairs,
Bayly of Virginia; Roads and Canals,
Durham.
The House rejected, by two majority,
Bayly's resolution to elect Librarian
for the House. ...
Gerritt Smith presented petition
from the New York Temperance AL.
lance, asking Congress to take action
for The suppression of intoxicating drinks
in the District of Columbia, and asked
for a special committee. ...-
Mr.. Richardson said he intended TO
discuss the subject. Laid over.
Mr.. Cobb introduced the Homestead
bill, which was referred to the Commit
tee of public lands. ...... ....
Mr. Wentworth offered resolution,
that Congress has the power to provide
for the construction of Railroad over
Territories OF the United States, for the
safe and more expeditions transportation
of public moneys, mails, &c., from the
Atlantic to the Pacific coast, and ought
Immediately TO exercise that power; he
moved the previous question.
Mr.. Stephens. of Georgia. moved to
lay the resolution on the table, which
was decided affirmalively.
Mr. Washburn. of Illinois, presented
a resolution, somewhat similar to the
former. and pending motion to lay on
the table, the House adjourned.
WAsHINGToN, Dec. l3.
SENATE.-The Finance Committee
to whom was referred communication
from the Secretary of the Treasury, res
pecting the manner Of paying Senators,
reported bill to regulate the disburse,
ment OF the eontmgen, fund of the SEN
ale. The bill provides, that all money
appropriated for pay and mileage, shall
be drawn from the Treasury by the Sec.
retary of the Senate. and be by him dis.
bursed as directed by the Senate, and
that he receive for his services SI,0O(
annually. The bill was passed.
Mr.. Bright, from the Finance Com
mittee, reported bill providing the man
ner of appointment of Assistant Sec
retary of the Treasury. by making the
appointment by the President aud Sen
ate; he read list of all the Executive
officers whose appointment. have to bt
confirmed by the Senate; and said, tha
most of them were of far less importanc,
than that Of Assistant Secretary of tn,
Treasury. The bill was read and passed
| Mr.. Gwin introduced bill establish
ing line of mail steamers from Sal
Francisco TO Shanghai via the Sand
wich Islands-referred.
Mr.. Adams introduced bill to reduc,
and graduate the price of public lands
referred.
Mr.. Shields introduced bill author
izing Illinois to select the residue o
certain lands granted tha. State in 1872,
TO aid in the construction of canals. w
Mr.. Seward introduced resolution
that all papers on file relating to tn
Niagara ship canal be referred to tn
Committee of Commerce-adopted.
Mr.. Adams introduced bill granting
l. l. A. II e.