The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-03-10
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
TUESDAY, MARCH


| Mr.. Briggs moved a suspension of the rules
in order to introduce a resolution, directing the
Clerk Of the House to pay tout of the contin
gent fund.- TO the employees in and about the
Capitol, the usual extra compensation, en-
bracing the description of persons only who
received it at the last session Of Congress
The rules were suspended and the resolution
adopted--yeas l07, nays 81.
The House resolved itself into Committee
of the Whole on the state of the Union and re-
sumed the consideration Of the Senate amend
ments to the Army bill.
The amendment Immediately before the COM
mittee was the following:
"For the defence of San Francisco, Calilor-
MIA, five hundred thousand dollars
Mr. Bayly concluded his remarks from yes
terday, in advocacy Of Qualifications.
Mr.. Letcher, after expressing his dissent
from the method pursued by the Senate of in
cooperating such amendments into the bill,
moved to strike out the clause relating to forti-
| 6cations.
| Mr.. Dean briefly opposed the amendment,
and argued that Notifications are needed for
the protection OF our commercial cities. Cali
furnia and Oregon have a right to ask for pro-
lection.
MIR. Marshall spoke Of the Importance Of
terrifying the Pacific coast.
Mr. Toombs opposed all the Senate's amend.
lments, viewing them N the most extraordina-
ry, unusual, and important schemes ever pre-
sented to the American Congress. There was
not time to consider them and therefore he
hoped they would all be stricken out
The House then non-cOncurred in the amend
ment appropriatng $780, 600 for the defence
1 af M Yea
The remaining appropriations, for iortifca
tons in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina
MARYLAND, Delaware Maine, and Massachu
Sets were likewise seyerally voted down.
After further proceedings, the Compitte'
| proceeded to the consideration of the Senate
amendment:
That the President Of the United States il
authorized to enter into contracts with such
person or persons as shall mako the most fa
vorable proposals, and give the most satsfacto
ry assurance and security for defending anc
projecting ths emigrant routes and improving
and keeping in good condition the road
through the Territories Of the United States
from the western border of the States in thu
Mississippi valley to the eastern border Of Cal
fornis, aud to the Pacific ocean in the Terri
tory OF Oregon, on the following terms &c, &c
adopted amid much laughter, providing tina
whenever we may be involved in war; tn
fighting shall be giving ont by contract
The Senate's section was then disagreed 10
The amendment appropriating one hundred
thousand dollars "A a recompense to the dis
coverer of anasthctic agents having been read
Mr. Stanly offered an amendment providing
Cor q division of the money among Morton
jackson, and Wells, according TO the relativ,
merits Of these gentlemen, to be decided by on'
Of the Circuit Courts Of the United States.
The Committee then rose. II was now half
past nine o'clock.
Many Of amendments were concurred ia
en- masse, and others reserved for separate votes
The question wAs stated on c0ncurring Ia
the amendment If the Senate appropriating
$5O0,00 for the defence OF San Francisco
pending which, the House, ut ten o'clock, ad
journed.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH
Three several committees were appointed tG
confer with similar committees Of the Senate
IN relation to disagreeing amendments Of the
two Houses 70 certain bills,