The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-02-28
THIRTY SECOND CONGRESS.
SECOND SESSION.
sATuRDAv, February 26, 1858.
SENATE.

SATURDAY, February rs, 1853.
SENATE.
The CHAIR laid before the Senate communi-
cation from the State Department, transmitting,
in reply to resolution of the Senate OF July last,
extracts from diplomatic and consular correspond
ence relative to commercial regulations in foreign
nations. Referred, and ordered to be printed
Also report from the War Department, with
estimates for the defence of Penobscot river. Laid
on the table, and ordered to be printed.
Also. letter from Mr.. Kennedy, the Superin-
tending Clerk of the Census, asking an investiga-
ton OF his official conduct Referred to the select
committee on the Census.
Mr.. HUNTER, from the Committee on Finance,
reported back the Civil and Diplomatic Appropria-
ton bill, with numerous amendments. He said
ne would move to take il up as soon as the Army
bill was disposed of.
THE ARMY BILL.
Mr.. HUNTER moved to take I'D the Army Ap-
preparation bill
Mr.. DOWNS opposed the motion, he desiring to
have taken up the bill to aid the State of Louisiana
in retaining the overlooked lands.
The motion was agreed to.
The question pending was on the amendment
proposed by Mr.. DAVIS, and modified at the sug
gestion of Mr.. SHIELDS, TO strike out the provision
placing the national armories under the charge o.
civil sunerintendents and to insert in lieu thereon
provision modifying the act Of 1912 so as to authorize
the President, when in his opinionit was
to appoint superintendent who was not OF the
of civilians and officers be appointed to examine
and report which system of superintendency, civil
or military, is best calculated to promote the pub
lie interests.
Messrs. RUSK, DOWNS, WELLER, DOUG
LAS, and JAMES opposed the amendment; and
Messrs BUTLER, SHIELDS, BELL, and PEARCE
sustained it.
And the question being taken, the motion was
agreed to-yeas %, nays PAS follows:
YEAS.-Messrs. Atchison, Badger, Bayard,
Bell, Borland, Butler, Charlton, Clarke, Cooper,
Davis, Dawson, De Saussure, Fish, Fitzpatrick,
Foot, Geyer, Gwin, Jones of Tennessee, Mangum,
Miller, Morton, Pearce, Phelps, Sebastian,
Shields, Smith, spraance, Underwood, and
Walker-29
Cass, Chase, Dodge of Wisconsin, Dodge of Iowa,
Douglas, Felch, Hale, Hamlin, Houston, Hunter,
James, Jones Of Iowa, Mason, Norris, Rusk, Sew,
ard, Soule, Sumner, Toucey, Wade, and We'll
ler-24
Mr.. BRIGHT moved to amend the bill by add
ing to the provision to purchase site for west
military asylum, that nothing in said provi-
sion shall be construed as direction to purchase
the Blue Lick Springs; which was not agreed to
yeas p, nays 80.
The bill was then read third time and passed.
CIVIL AND DIPLOMATIC BILL
Mr.. HUNTER moved that the Senate proceed to
consider the Civil and Diplomatic Appropriation
bill.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD opposed the motion, stat
ing be desired TO move TO take up Benefits Land
bill. Its friends could 30 amend it as to leave no
necessity for debating it. If were not taken up
to-day, it would not be taken up this session.
Mr.. WALKER said if the Senator supposed that
bill would pass without debate, or without firm
and earnest opposition, be was mistaken. Itwoud
be debated.
Mr.. HUNTER's motion was then agreed to.
In order that time might be saved, no amend.
ments were offered in Committee of the Whole,
and the Dill was reported to the Senate.
DIR. HUNTER, from the Committee on Finance
submitted large number of amendments, which
So LoC
Amongst the amendments disposed of were the
following:
To strike out the provision of the bill which pre-
vents any part of the Patent Office building being
used by the Seer etary Of the Interior for any pur
poses other than those of the Patent Office.
Messrs. WALKER, DAVIS, and JAMES opposed
striking out the provision. Messrs. CASS, BOR-
LAND, and HUNTER replied 1t was then stricken
out-yeas "a, nays %.
To strike out the appropriations for the construc-
ton of the custom-house at ST. Louis, s $4,000;
at Louisville, $S7 745; and at Cincinnati, $751; 745
After debate. the Senate refused to strike the ap
preparations out.
The appropriation for the Minister to China was
raised to $4,000, including outfit.
$4,000 was added to detray the expenses of the
officers, &C., of the steam-frigate sent to the
country.
Appropriation was made for the continuation of
the Mexican Boundary Commission
The bill was then postponed.
PRIVATE BILLS.
A bill for the relief of B. B. Bennett, of Ken
lucky, was, on motion of Mr.. UNDER WOOD,
taken up and passed.
A bill for the relief of z. Box of Tennessee, was
on motion Of Mr.. BELL, taken up and passed.
bill for the relief of Ira Baldwin, on motion of
Mr.. HAMLIN, was taken up and passed.
NAVY YARD AT NEW ORLEANS.
MIR. SOULE submitted resolution directing an |
inquiry by the Committee on Naval Affairs as to
the expediency Of establishing navy yard at or
near New Orleans. Adopted.
On motion of Mr. BRADBURY, the bill for the
relief of Harlo spading was taken up, and pending
which
The Senate adjourned