The daily union., 1854-12-22
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The House met at l2 o'clock, IN.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS.
The SPEAKER laid before the House a communication
from the President of the United States reply to the
House resolution Of the 9th Of July last calling for the
correspondence between the Secretary of State and
minister at the Court of the Netherlands in relation
Imprisonment Of Capt. Gibson
MI BAfLf moved that il be referred the Committee
on Foreign Affairs, and be printed for the of the
Mr. ORR expressed the hope that the Committee on For
egn Affairs would give the subject their early and most
consderate attention.
The SPEAKER also laid before the House communca-
ton from the Treasury Department containing the
ment Of the contingent funds Of that departments which
was laid on the table and ordered to be printed.
Also communication from the Post Office Department
containing the supplemental estimates of the funds required
by that department for the fiscal year ending the 30h OF
june 1885, which was referred to the Committee of Ways
Also communication from the same department in re-
ation to the masteamer service Of the United States
which was laid on the table, and ordered to be printed
BILLS INTRODUCED
Mr.. vANSANT asked and obtained leave to introduce
bill providing for the accommodation Of the courts of the
United States in the district of Maryland and for post
office at Baltimore city in the State which read
twice by unanimous consent and referred to the Commit
Mr.. JONES' of Louisiana asked and obtained leave to
introduce bill for the relief of G. Greneaux which
read twice by unanimous consent and appropriately re-
ferred. ssH asaaa
Mr.. MACY asked and obtained leave to introduce bin
for the commencement and completion Of certain public
works in the State Of Wisconsin which read twice
by unanimous consent and referred to the Committee
Commerce.
Also bill making appropriations for the repair pres
ervatOn and completion of certain public works in the
State OF Wisconsin heretofore commenced under the
hority Of law; which read twice by unanimous CEN
sent and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Mr. MAXWELL asked and obtained leave to introduce
bill providing for the holding Of the United States courts
in Florida in the of sickness other disability of
either of their judges which read twice by unanimous
consent and referred to the Committee the Judiciary.
Mr.. ZOLL1COFFER asked and obtained leave TO intro
duce bill regulating the exercise of the rights of suffrage
in fnp nfft fto TIntfal
twice by unanimous consent and referred the Committee
on Territories
DISCHARGED FROM COMMITTEE.
Mr.. RICHARDSON asked that the Committee Terri
tories be discharged from the further consideration OF the
joint resolution Of the territorial legislature of Utah. and
that the same be referred to the Committee OF Claims
agreed to-
RESOLUTIONS SUBMITTED
Mr.. STANTON, of Tennessee submitted resolution in
structing the Committee on tho Judiciary to inquire
the proriety further legislation for the better
of the officers Of the United States and other persons
gagged in the execution of the laws thereof and to report
by bill otherwise which considered by unanimous
consent, and agreed to-
Mr. SMITH, Of Virginia submitted resolution instruct
ing the Committee on Commerce to inquire into the
pediency of purchasing lot and of contracting for and
completing suitable buildings for the accommodation of
customhouse post Office, and district Of the
United States in the Alexandria district of the State of
Virginia; which was considered by unanimous consent,
and agreed to-
Mr.. SIMMONS submitted a resolution instructing the
Committee Commerce to inquire into the expedency or
providing by law for the completion Of the brcakwaer
the harbor Of Pattsburg Lake Champain and Of pur
chasing site for the erection Of building for custom
house. and courthouse for holding United States courts
in the northern district Of the State of New York which
was considered BY unanimous consent and agreed to.
Mr.. RICHARDSON submitted resolution authorizing
the Committee Territories to employ clerk at the rate
of $4 day. provided that said clerk shall be employed
for term not exceeding forty days which consider
ed by unanimous consent and agreed TO.
Mr. FAULKNER asked but did not obtain leave to sub
init resolution authorizing the Committee Military
Affairs to send for persons and papers.
Mr.. DAVIS, of Rhode Island submitted, by unanimous
consent resolution Of the general assembly of Rhode
Island in relation the officers and soldiers of the Of
1872 ALSO resolution relating to the establishment of
naval depot in Narragasett bay and resolution reangto
cheap postage which ordered to be printed.
TAXES GEORGETOWN.
Mr. HAMILTON called for the regular order of business
The first question in order on the motion of Mr..
LxrcHER lay the bill authorizing corporate authorities of
Georgetown to impose taxes for railroad purposes the
table tf,
Mr. FLORENCE asked for the general consent of the
House to enable him read letter of certain citizens of
the District Of Columbia referring to the subectmater
before the House.
Mr.. DAVIS, of Indiana, objected.
Mr.. LETCHER asked for the yeas and nays his mo-
ton to lay the bill the table, and they ordered
The question being then taken by yeas and nays it was
not agreed to-yeas 4s, nays 81
was ordered.
The bill was then read third time and passed--yeas
82, nays SO.
Mr. MAY, from the Committee on the Judiciary, TO
whom referred much Of the Presidents message
relates the judiciary system and laws of the District of
Columbia and the report Of the Attorney General that
the legal condition of tho District of Columbia still regu
lated by the laws of Maryland they stood half century
ago, without material legislative Improvement during that
period OF time and with recognised defects in its judicial
organization calls loudly for action the part Of
Congress- by leave reported the following bill
bill to reorganize the courts in the District Of Colum
bia, and to reform and improve the laws thereof
Mr. MAY considered the question raised by the intro
ducton Of this bill Of vital importance to the people
Of the District Of Columbia The defects existing in the
present judicial system and laws of the District called
loudly for action the part Of Congress Mr. proceed
ed with force and precision point the defects of the
present Judicial system Of this District and give brief
history of its plan and operation from its establishment to
the present time 10 show that the legal condition of this
District is essentially the that il half
tury ago when regulated by the laws of Maryland and to
show the necessity OF the reorganization of the District
courts and the reformation and Improvement of its laws
The retrocesson of Alexandria county to the State of Vr
gna had rendered il expeden to reduce the number of
judges and to cura the judicial expenses of the District Of
Columbia The judicial expenses Of the District exceeded
those of the States of Rhode Island and Delaware com
bined. m
Mr. BRIDGES moved the previous question.
Mr. ELLIOT, of Massachusetts, hoped that the bill would
be discussed in order that gentlemen might understand its
provisions before called upon to give their votes
Mr.. BRIDGES withdrew his motion
Mr. ELLIOT then spoke at length in opposition to the
bill
Mr. JONES, of Tennessee moved the previous question
and it was seconded-ayes so, noes go
On ordering the main question to be put Mr.. WASH
asked for the yeas and md they ordered
Mr. SAGE moved that the House adjourn disagreed to
The main question was then ordered to be putyess s2