The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-06-29
CONGRESS-
THIRTY-THIRD coNGREss--FIRsT SESSION.
Senate, Tuesday, June 20, 1854

Senate, Tuesday, June 20, 1854.
After the presentation of petitions,
Mr.. Seward gave notice of bill to regulate
navigation to the coast OF Africa, IN vessels
owned, in whole or in part, by American citi-
zeas It makes the navigation of vessels own
ed in whole or in part, by American citizens,
trading in any way between the Spanish west
India Islands and the coast OF Africa.
Mr.. Sumner presented the memorial OF the
Troy and Boston Railroad Company, who are
at present engaged in the tunnelliDg of the
| Hoosac mountains, asking grant Of land, TO
! aid in the construction of their great road
! Mr. Norris presented numerous petitions,
praying amendments to the charter of the city
of Washington, in several particulars.
Mr.. James reported bill amending the
De tent laws.
The bill to re-organize the navy was taken
up.
Mr. Hunter moved reconsideration of the
vote ordering it to third reading.
After some debate, the motion was agreed
to, and the bill postponed.
The Senate resumed the consideration Of the
bill granting land to the several States, for the
relief of the INDECENT Insane.
Mr.. Clay then addressed the Senate in op-
position to the bill.
MIR Toucey obtained the floor, and moved
that the bill be postponed till tomorrow.
Mr.. Stuart hoped the bill would not be post
poned If the Senate ever intended 10 dispose
of this question, it ought to be disposed Of to-
day.
Messrs Bell, Cass Hunter, and Mason, sus-
tanned the motion to postpone
Mr.. Dawson, though in favor of postponing
the bill, opposed the practice Of having set
speeches, instead of running debates on every
subject.
Mr. Mason suggested that there was an at
tractive subject On tho table, On which there
would be running debate. 1t was the bull
providing when the Senate should meet again
! Mr. Brown and MIR. Walker advocated the
taking up Of the Homestead Dill.
House of Representatives., June 90, 1854.
| The Speaker announced the first business in
order to be the further consideration Of the bill
known as & Benefits Land bill"
! Mr. Bennett being absent, Mr.. Perkins Of
! Louisiana moved postponement for two weeks
which was carried.
The bill to aid the Territory of Minnesota
in the construction Of a railroad therein, was
next taken up. This bill grants alternate
sections OF land for the purpose The question
being, " Shall the bin be rejected" it was de-
cided in the negatve-yea5 IS, nays 80 so
the bill was not rejected
MIR Stevens, of Michigan, obtained the
! flcor but yielded it to Mr. Churchwell, who
wished to make q personal explanation.
Cries of No, no and many objectad
Mr.. Churchwell persisted, and was under
stood to charge his colleague, Mr.. Culom with
falsehood; when Mr.. CullOm, using violent
language, sprang toward him over the inter-
yenlDg seats, but was withheld by several men,
bers. The Sergeant-at-arms, with the mace,
descended to the scene, and order was re-
stored
! Mr.. Jones, of Tennessee, moved to refer the
| bill TO the Committee of the Whole which
was decided in the negative-yeas 70, nays 81.
Mr.. Jones Of Tennessee moved to lay the
bill on the table, which was decided in the
negative-yeas &C. nays 81.
The bill was finally Passed-yeas 80, nays II
Senate, Wednesday, June 81, 1854.
| Mr. Seward, from the Committee on Com.
merce, to which had been referred various
memorials, praying that aid be given to the
State of New York in the construction Of a
| ship canal around the Falls of Niagara, re-
ported that while the committee were unani-
nous in approval of the great work, there was
q division Of opinion as TO the power Of Congress
and as to the manner in which the aid should
Re exercised, and therefore could agree upon
90 bill, and asked to be discharged from the
further consideration of the subject. Agreed
| to.
Mr.. Seward introduced q bill regulating the
navigation and commerce between the West
India Spanish islands and the coast of Africa
in vessels owned in whole or In part by Ameri
! can citizens.
Mr.. Hanlin, from the Committee on Com.
merce reported bill ameudat0ry Of the act
| for the regulation Of vessels propelled in whole
| or in part by steam. The bill establishes Cali
fornia, Oregon, and Washington, into an ia
spection district, and suspends, till March next
the provision of the existing law requiring a
certain alloy to be used in the construction o.
steamboat boilers.
The bill was explained and passed.
Mr.. Dawson, from the Committee on tht
District of Columbia, reported adversely upor
the petition for a railroad along Pennsylvania
avenue.
Also, bill for the relief of James Dixon
which was passed.
Mr.. Sumner gave notice Of bill making a
grant of land warrants to the State of Massa.
chusetts, to aid in the construction of q tunne
under the Hoosac mountain, and providing fol
the conveyance of mails, troops and munitions
Of war, through the same, free of toll
| The bill to reorganize the navy Of the United
States was taken up, and, having been amend
ed in some particulars was passed-yeas "a
nays IL.
The bill to satisfy the claims of the creditors
OF Texas was recommitted.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the
dent.
Mr.. TOucey addressed the Senate against the