Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-06-24
CONGRESS-.
rHrRrY-THIRp coNaREss--pIRs7 SESSION


House Of Representatives. June "a, 1854
Mr.. Pratt, by consent, presented certain
joint resolutions Of the Legislature Of Connec-
ticut, in favor of cheap ocean postage; which
were laid on the table and ordered to be
printed
A communication from the Secretary Of the
Treasury was placed before the House, trans
hitting statement of the Register OF the Uni
ted States Treasury Of the receipts and expenses
of the Government for the year ending juno 80
1853. Laid on the table, and ordered to be
printed.
On motion Of Mr. Hendricks, tho several pri-
vate bills passed over without objection in Com
mittee of the Whole, yesterday, we're ordered
to be reported to the House, the Committee
being discharged from their further considera-
ton. They were 80 reported, aud severally
acted upon.
The House then, at half past twelve o'clock,
went into Committee of the Whole on the Civil
and Diplomatic Appropriation bill, mr.. Orr in
the chair.)
The appropriation Of $4,000 to construct
bridge over the Potomac river, at the Little
Falls, three miles above Georgetown, proposed
by MIR. Smith, OF Virginia, was opposed by Mr.
McMullen, who was in favor of no appropria-
ton, but commended that a bridge at George
town was more necessary, and would be built
Mr.. May supported the proposed appropria-
ton, as being sanctioned by fifty years expe-
rience and the evident indications Of nature
He thought the Government could not honor
ably recedc from the policy TO which it has
long been committed with respect TO the pre-
servation Of a bridge at the Little Falls.
Mr. Florence said the universal sentiment
seemed to be that tho bridge should he built
at the locality designated; but he would pro-
pose an amendment prescribing the manner Of
cffecting the object This amendment rcquir-
ed tho work to be executed under the superin-
tendencc of civil engineer, &c.
MIR. McMullen would not contest the ques-
ton Of the advantages Of the site named but
he commended that bridge aDouid be made at
Georgetown; and he thought three miles Of
turnpike down TO this bridge, would he more
economical than a bridge costing $4,000, to
be again and again renewed.
Mr.. Florcnco's amendment was rejected.
Mr.. stanton, Of Kentucky, replied to the OBJ
jcctions advanced by Mr.. McMullen; and Mr.
Stephens, of Georgia, supported the appropria-
ton
The question was then taken by telers, and
the appropriation was adoptcd--yeas II, nays
On q proposition to appropriate twenty
eight hundred dollars, for mileage and per
diem, to William Carr Lane, who contested
the right OF MIR. Gallegos To n scat AZ delegate
from New Mexico, Mr.. Hunt, Of Louisiana,
and Mr.. Benton, spoke with great eject in
support of the measure; and the appropria.
tion was ordered, by vote Of rs to 54.
The appropriation of 100000 was moved by
MIR. Chandler for tho prosecution Of the plan
of bringing water into the cities Of Georgetown
and Washington, NJ already commenced under
the superintcndence Of Captain Meiggs, Of the
Engineer corps, u States army
Mr. Chandler addressed tho Committee in
rccapitulation Of the arguments heretofore
urged by him and others in support of the
measure.
Mr.. Stanton, Of TENNESSEE, was opposed to
the appropriation Cor the reason that the en-
terprise is Of tho most extravagant character.
II contemplates bringing more water into the
cities than is required in the CITY OF London.
Three times the amount estimated would not
complete tho work M il has been begun.
Mr. stephens, Of Georgia, said that Congress
had entrusted the decision OF the matter to the
President, who had decided and Congress
should not 20 behind that decision. He how
ever had no dread Of too much water. Abund-
ance Of il would be a great blessing. He
would turn the whole tide Of the Potomac
through the city of Washington
Mr.. Gerrit Smith spoke in opposition to the
appropriation. He said that he regarded the
scheme az extravagant; that il would be bet-
tor for the Government 10 retrace its stops
than 10 20 on in error, in what would, if the
teachings Of experience could be relied ON, lead
TO corruption.