The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-07-20
go. Tnesdar. Jtllu II. 1s54.

SeRuse, Il uceuUy, jury II, Aoo9.
MIR. Rockwell presented the memorial Of 500
citizens of Massachusetts, praying the repeal of
the Fugitive Slave Act.
Mr.. Sumner presented the memorial Of
members of the Unitarian Church in Cam
bridge Massachusetts,, praying the repeal Of
the same law.
Also. the memorial of Josiah Goddard, q
merchant Of New York, stating that that law
was regarded by eminent writers to be unoon-
stitutional, and ought to be repealed.
The Senate resumed the consideration OF the
bill authorizing the construction of a eubterra-
mean line Of telegraph between the Mississippi
river and San Francisco, California; and the
game was read third time and passed.
On motion by Mr. Rusk, the Senate pro-
ceeded to the consideration of the bill allow
ing the Alexandra and Washington Railroad
Company to extend their road to the depot of
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
The substitute heretofore submitted by Dir.
Mason, allowing the company to construct e
bridge over the Potomac, at or near George
town over the aqueduct over which and
through the streets and avenues Of Georgetown
aud Washington city Except Pennsylvania
avenuel to the depot Of tho Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad, was adopted, and the bill was
then passed.
The Senate then proceeded to the considers
ton Of Executive business.
House Of Representatives, July II, 1854.
The House was called to order at IL o'clock
A. NJ
Mr.. Davis, of Indiana, from the Committee
on The District Of Columbia, by consent, re-
ported the Senate bill, chartering the George
town Gss-lght Company. The 18th section
was 50 amended as to make the stockholders,
individually, liable for the debts of the Com
pany, and prohibiting the Washington Gas
light Company from laying its pipes in George
town. The bill was read twice, engrossed and
read q third time, and passed.
Benefits Land billD being taken up in
order, Mr. Disney obtained the floor.
Mr.. Bennett objected to Mr.. Disney's speak
ing q second time on the same subject. The
objection was sustained.
Mr. Cobb obtained the floor, and expressed
bis desire to get rid of tho bill, which hao
been so long before the House; and, IN comph-
ance with Mr.. Bennett's understood wishes,
moved the postponement OF the blll I'LL the
third Tuesday in December; which motion
prevailed.
Several bills relating to Territorial postal
affairs, and to surveys Of roads, as amended
by the Senate were taken up by consent OF
the House, the amendments agreed TO- and the
bills passed.
Mir. Olds. from the Committee on Post
Offices and Post Roads, reported bill to re-
peal the law authorizing discount of so per
cent. On the postage on newspapers and peri
odcals, when prepaid
After some remarks, Mr.. Olds made a mo-
ton 70 recommit the bill, and print.
At twenty minutes past 2 O'clock, Mr.. Hous-
ton moved that the House should 20 into Com
mittce Of the Whole on the state Of the Union
which motion prevailed, and MIR. McMullen
was called to the chair.
The Committee took up the bill reported By
Mr. Wentworth, of Massachusetts,, from the
Committee on C0mmercs, making approrfia-
tons (of s., 4O5, 7OO) for the repair, pEeserva-
ton, and completion, Of certain public works,
heretofore commenced under the authority Of
law
A prosTacted debate followed, in relation to
the various appropriations providing for the i'm
proveTneat of the Ohio, Mississippi, and other
rivers.
An appropriation to make the navigation
of the Ohio free, by the purchase Of the canal
at Louisville was incidentally suggested by
MIR. Preston.