Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-04-20


rMRrr-rHIRD coEGRrss---yIRsr SESSION.
In the House, yesterday, after our report
had closed, the bill of the Senate making
grant Of the public lands to the several States
of the Union for the benefit of INDECENT insane
persons, was taken up, the question being on
seconding tho demand for the previous ques
ton on the motion Of MIR. Jones, Of Tennessee,
that the bill be referred to tho Committee Of
tho Whole on the state Of the Union
Mr. Bissell earnestly and Professionally urged
the passage Of this bill. There were many
motions made, to delay action upon it and It
was opposed by MIR. Clingman ON State rights
principles; but it finally passed BY q vote Of
81 to So
M Senate, Thursday, April 20, 1854.
Mr.. Brodhead presented memorial from
Pennsylvania, praying that the Homestead bill
be amended by providing that the amounts
heretofore paid by any person for public land
be refunded by the United States.
Mr. Petit presented q number Of petitions
praying the abolition Of tho unconstitutional
Office Of Chaplain.
Mr. Wade presented a petition from the
Presbytery Of Trumbull county Ohio, remon-
strating against any extension Of Slavery to
territory now free.
Mr.. Summer presented the resolutions Of
Weetport, Mass, demonstrating against the
repeal Of the Missouri Compromise.
Mr. Dawson presented the resolutions Of the
Legislature of Georgia, in favor of the Douglas
Nebraska bill.
Bills of the following titles were severally
reported, considered, and passed:
A bill for the relief OF James Jeffries and
Jeremiah Smith
A joint resolution providing for the SETTLE
ment of the accounts Of certain mail contract
Ors.
A. bill to provide for survey of the public
lands in the Territory Of New Mexico, and
granting lands to actual settlers therein.
Mr. Seward reported bill for the relief Of
the heirs at law Of VIM. Van Wart, deceased
He said this Van Wart was the person who
gave information to Paulding, Williams, and
Van Wart, which put them on tho lookout for
Major Andre, and led to his arrest. This bill
was for arrearages of pension due to his heirs,
who wero females, and Of great age. He hoped
the bill would now be taken up.
Mr.. Weller objected.
The Senate then proceeded to the considera-
ton Of Executive business.
House of Representatives., April 20, 1854.
The Speaker announced the first business
in order to be the consideration Of the resolu-
tion to extend the existing contract for carry
ing the mail between Montgomery and Mo-
bile, on the motion to recommit the resolution
to the Committee on the Post Office and Post
Roads.
Mr.. Richardson, by consent, offered reso-
luton authorizing the Committee on Terrific
ries to employ an additional clerk for thirty
days; which was adopted.
Mr. Grey asked leave to offer q resolution,
which was read for information. II called upon
the Postmaster General to inform the House
why certain contracts had not been made, and
to furnish copies Of certain others that had been
made.
Mr. Phelps objected to the reception Of this
resolution, and it was accordingly not enter
tanned
Mr.. Harris, Of Alabama, called for the regu-
lar order of business
Mr.. Grey resumed and concluded his re-
marks in opposition to the intention of the res
olution.
MIR. Harris Of Alabama, arose and said
that he was reluctant to obtrudc .npon the
House, but sense of duty impelled him to do
30. He then proceeded TO defend the claimants
in tho case, and, incidentally, the Post Office
Department also.
Messrs Cobb, of Alabama, and Jones' of Lou
isiana, who had heretofore expressed them
selves as unfavorable to tho resolution, spoke
briefly in its support.
Mr.. Seward moved to lay the resolution on
the table; which motion did not prevail.
The resolution was finally adopted-yeas 80,
nays 81
MIR. Smith, of Virginia asked the unani-
nous consent of the House to present the me-
mortal Of one hundred and twenty-four citizens
Of the District of Columbia and Alexandria
county, against the supervision Of civil works
by military officers; but objection was made.
The House, on motion Of Mr.. Phelps, went
into Committee Of the Whole on the state of
the Union, Mr.. Jones' Of New York, in the
chair, and resumed the consideration Of the
West Point appropriation bill.