Washington sentinel., 1854-04-25
Congrsssi0nal. q


CLOSING OF rAvERNs.
Mr.. BUTLER presented the memorial of Oscar
Cole and Alexander Cook, citizens Of Washing.
tom praying that the Committee on the District Of
Columbia be requested TO instruct the common
council of Washington city to repeal the ordinance
compelling restaurants and eating houses TO be
closed at midnight They say they labor all night,
ture requires. The law, say they, is unconstitu-
tiona, antirepublican, and does not even smell
democratic.
HOMESTEAD.
Mr.. HUNTER presented memorials that the
homestead bill be amended SO as TO allow me-
chanics TO receive $500 in money each, in lieu of
the land granted by the bill.
Mr.. EVERETT presented the memorial of
members Of the American Association, asking
Congress TO make an appropriation to enable Pro-
fessor MITCHELL of Cincinnati, TO construct ma
chine for observing right ascension and decGna-
tons by the aid of magnetism and moved its re-
ference to q select committee, which motion was
agreed to.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.
Memorials from members OF the Jewish faith,
praying that religious freedom be secured 10 Amer
ican citizens in foreign countries, were presented
BILLS PASSED.
Mr. BRODHEADreported House bill for the re-
lief of Grafton Baker; and the same was consider
ed and passed.
Mr.. DOUGLAS, from the Committee on Terri
tories, reported back House bill TO authorize the
settlement of certain expenses incurred by the
legislative assembly of Oregon in preparing and
publishing code Of laws for that Territory and
the same was passed.
MILITARY ACADEMY.
The bill making appropriations for the support
OF the military academy was returned from the
House, that body having rejected the amendment
of the Senate which increased the salaries Of pro-
fessors of French and drawing
On motion by Mr.. SHIELDS, the Senate insist.
ed on its amendment, and asked a committee Of
conference.
LAND FOR RAILROADS IN ALABAMA.
Mr. DODGE, of Iowa, reported bill granting
land 10 the State of Alabama, TO aid in the con-
structlon OF a central railroad from some point on
the boundary line Of the States of Alabama and
Tennessee TO q point on the boundary line OF the
States of Alabama and Florida and the same was
considered and passed
Mr.. FITZPATRICK introduced bill granting
land 10 the State of Alabama, TO aid in the con-
struction Of railroad from Girard TO Mobile.
Read and referred.
THE WRECK OF THE SAN FRANCISCO.
Mr. SHIELDS moved that the Senate proceed
TO the consideration of the Joint resolution appro-
prating 100000 10 procure suitable gold medals
for the captains Of the Kilby, Antartic and Three
Bells, who SO CALAMITY rescued the survivors OF
reward the same officers and the crews of said
vessels according to their merits.
Mr.. HUNTER said he hoped the Senate would
take up the Indian appropriation BILL
Mr.. BRODHEAD said that this day was fixed
for the consideration of the bill suspending all
duties on imported railroad iron. II was impor-
tant that those engaged in that interest should
know at once what Congress intended to do with
the snbject.
The motion was agreed to.
4 ~ =
by substituting therefor resolution directing the
President 10 cause 10 be prepared suitable medals
OF gold silver, and bronze TO be presented to the
captains and crews of the vessels engaged in said
rescue.
He said that the citizens Of the United States
had already subscribed nearly sixty thousand
dollars, which had been paid over to these per-
sons-the officers receiving from six to eight
thousand dollars each, and the sailors over six
hundred each. The government had also paid to
the owners ofthese veseels all that they had asked
10 compensate for damages and losses sustained
in consequence of their efecting this rescue.
There had been paid to the owners Of the Threo
Bells, $4,000, and to the Kilby, $4,000. He had
not heard how much had been paid to the wners
of the Antartic.
Mr. SHIELDS replied that the payments made
to the owners in no way affected the question Of
reward of the gallant officers and crews who had
performed this noble act Of heroism.
Mr. HAMLlN followed supporting the original
resolution, and
Mr. SLIDELL, the amendment
Messrs. MALLORY and SEWARD supported
the original resolution.
The amendment proposed by Mr. GWlN was
then relected-yeas 16, noes 81.
Mr.. GWIN moved to amend the resolution by
striking out 100000 and incerting $50 900 which
motion was agreed to-yeas 81, nays is.
The resolution as amended was then ordered
TO third reading--yeas 81, nays 16; and then
passed
INDIAN APPROPRIATION BILL.
The Senate then proceeded to the consideration
OF the Indian appropriation bill, and numerous
amendments reported by the Committee on Fl
nance were adopted
The Senate then adjourned