Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-03-09
THIRTY"SECOND CONGRESS-,
SECOND SESSION.


MONDAY, Feb. S-Senate.-Thc civil and
diplomatic appropriation bill was taken up An
amendment was adopted increasing the salaries
of heads of Departments and Vice President to
@o,uoo year. The proposition to appropriate
500 900 for the erection Of bouses for these off,
GERS was reiected--yeas %, nays "a. MR. Ma
son offered amendments iucreasing the allowance
to Ministers to England, France. Russia and
Spain, So,OOO, for house rent, &c.. and a. 900 to-
the Ministers to Turkey. He then renewed bis
amendment, under instructions from the L,ecicIa-
ture of Virginia, for repeal of the duties ON rail-
road iron. Mr.. Douglas moved to modify il bv
suspending the duties on railroad iron for three
years. A debate arose, and was kept up till the
adjournment. i.is
House.-The deficiency bill was under consid-
Grafton in Committee of the Whole.
TUEsDAY.-Senate.-T civil and diplomatic
Appropriation bill was taken up. The amendment
OF Mr.. Mason to repeal all duties on railroad iron
was taken up. Nlessrs. Butler, Shields Hunter,
Toucey, BOrland, Nlangum and Bright. though
in favor of the amendment, were unwilling to le-
gislate upon the subject of the tariff by means of
the appropriation bill; and after further debate
the amendment was rejected-yeas 10, nays &C..
Other amendments were adopted, among them
one to pay Clark Mills $4,000 for constructing
the Statue of Jackson, and to make it the proper
ty of the United States. .-',f.r.
Housc.-The army bill was under consdera-
ton and the subject of coast protection by forth
fcations was discussed. An amendment of the
Senate authorizing the President 10 decide, after
proper inquiry, to transferring the superinten-
dence Of the armories TO civilians was concurred
in
WEDNEsDAY.--Senate.- civil and diplo-
matte appropriation bill was again taken up A
large number. Of amendments were voted down,
and the dill was passed.
The post office bill was then taken up. Mr.
Weller moved an amendment granting million
and half of acres of land to Messrs. Alden g.
Eddy, for railroad line to the Pacific, which
was debated and reected-yeas 81, nays &c.
MIR. Houston availed himself of an amendment
which he regarded as war measure, to deliver a
speech on the subject of foreign relations. He
was opposed to any professions of what we will
or ought to do. He was for letting our actions
speak for themselves. He ridiculed with great
force the several resolutions introduced
ing against particular matters. After some fur
Their debate the bill was passed. =.
The bill to establish the territorial government
of Washington was taken up and passed
A motion to take up the bill to establish ter.
ritorial government of Nebraska was debated and
rejected; yeas 20, nays %. ?. 4
The navy appropriation bill was taken up, and
considered till the adjournment a..
House.-The amendment of the Senate TO tho
army appropriation bill were agreed to. An a.,
mendment authorizing the payment of $40 800 to-
Col. Fremont, provided the Secretary of the Treas
ury shall be satisfied that the amonnt has been
expended by him for the public service, was a.
greed TO. .. 70 80.
The House continued in session till late hour.
THURSDAY Senate.-The Naval Appropria.
ton bill was taken up. A number of amendments
were proposed and rejected, and the bill passed. b.
The Indian Appropriation bill was then debated
Hoase.--A number of bills were passed amid
scene of unparalleled confusion. ..4s -
FRIpAY-Both Houses of Congress remained
in session during nearly the whole of Thursday
night and up to noon today They were engag
ed in proceedings the seyeralaPpropriation bills.
These were contested by the two houses on the
amendments, and varions committees of conference.
were constituted and their reports were debated
and rejected. Towards ) O'Clock this morning,
however, the reports Of the conference committees
were adopted; and alr appropriation bills were.'
passed. A large number ofp-ivate bills were also
passed during the night.
At IL O'Clock the presiding officers of the. two
Houses pronounced their respective bodies adjourn
ed sine die.