The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-12-27
Congressional.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 18


SENATE.-Mr. Shields reported bill to
increase the efficiency of the army, and
gave notice that he would call it up at an
early day.
Mr.. Adams proposed four verbal amend.
ments. agreed to, and bill postponed.
A bill establishing Board of Commits
| sioners to examine and adjust the private
| claims againstthe United States was taken
up.
Mr.. Broadhead addressed the Senate in
explain alton and support Of the bill.
| Mr.. Hunter favored the independent and
open court, rather than commissioners who
would be removable.
MIR. Petit proposed referring the whole
subject to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Jones thought this the most indie
pendent bill ever before Congress, and
moved its reference to a select committee
lot five TO be appointed by the chair.
The bill was then referred to a select
committee of FIVE.
A bill for the relief Of the children and
heirs of Baron De Kalb, was taken up
and debated by Messrs. Badger and Clay.
ton, they warmly eulogized the vir,uea and
noble deeds OF De kalb, and desired the
Ipassage of the bill it was referred.
! bill establishing Departments OF Law
in place of Attorney Generals, was taken
iup.
HoUsE.-Mr. Robbins offered resolu-
ttion instructing the Committee on Naval
Affairs to inquire into the expedieEcy OF
lplacing the officers, seamen and marines,
who served during the Mexican war. on
the same footing as to bounty lands, extra
pay, &C., as to those who served in the
Pacific during the same period.
Mr.. Phillips introduced bill authoriz,
ing the construction ofsix sloops OF war
referred 20 the Committee on Naval AZ
fairs.
MIR. Clingman made an Intellectual ef.
fort 10 introduce a Joint resolution, which
might be referred to the committee on for
eign affairs, requesting the President to
tender his mediation to The powers engag-
cd in the Eastern war.
In the House the Military Academy bill
was under consideration.
Mr.. Barry devoted an hours speech to
the condemnatloa OF the Know Nothings,
dissecting their movements and purposes.
and sligmatizing the organization as no,
only illegal, but combination to take a.
way the rights of aliens. 1t was. in his
opinion, the child OF the alien and Sedi.
ton Laws and anti Republican in its ten
denotes.
! Mr.. Banks replied, contending that men
have arIghtt to conceal their political views,
and the government which undertakes 10
irammel him in that right, strikes at the
basis OF all Republican institutions. He
explained why men should combine for
acquiring rights denied by corrupt politi-
: cal influences. He took occasion to con-
) denim in severe terms the claim ofthe Ro-
man Catholic Church 10 interfere with and
control secular affairs.
Both Of the gentlemen were listened to
with marked attention.
4 The Military Academy and Indian ap-
: preparation bills were passed. Adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.
i SENATE.--A message was received from
the President transmitting report from
the Secretary Estate of a correspondence
with our Minister at Constantinople.
MIR. Cass gave notice that at some future
day he should move that the Senate adop.
Mr.. Underwood's resolution, and call the
attention OF the President thereto-euo-
gizing Napoleon for his sentiments in re-
terence to religious liberty.
MIR. Brosdhead eloquently appealed in
behalf of his resolution for sending o
steamer to the Arctic seas in search OF DR..
kane-passed.
, Mr.. Petit made report from the Judi
United States landing, at Cincinnati, pass;
passed.
Mr.. Broadhead reported a bill in favor
Of Gen. Jno. E. Wool, and recommend
ed its passage-passed.
Adjourned.
HousE.-Mr. Phelps, from the commit
tee on Ways and Means, reported bill
; making appropriations for Naval services
for the year ending June 3oth, 1856.
Mr.. Houston, from the same committee.
reported bill making appropriations for
fortifc atoms aud other works OF defence
and repair of barracks and quarters; re-
ferred to the Committee Of the Whole OH
> the State Of the Union.
The House went into Committee Of the
Whole on the State of ths Union OH bust
ness pertaining to the District of Colum-
bia.
Various bills relating to the District OF
Columbia were considered, bu. not fin ally
or seriously acted on.
, Mr.. Bayley. of Va. gave notice of his
intention to move the taking up of the
French Spoliation bill on the 10th Of jan
uary.
Adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 90.
SENArE.-The pension appropriations
bill was resumed.
Mr.. Fessenden moved the amendment
Of the law so as to place the widows OF
, officers in the navy, on the same footing
!, as the widows of officers of the army
Messrs. Hunter, Steward and Toombs
opposed it on the ground that it was no,
germane to the bill and had not been ex
amiGed by the committee.
,, Messrs. Fessenden, Chase, Brown and
Weller advocated it as measure just in
L. L \ r. L.