The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-01-12

puDHc meeung held az Faneuli Hall, Boston,
presided over By the mayor of that city. assist
ed by numerous eminent persons, praying re-
duction of ocean postage. Referred, and or
dered to be printed
| Mr.. Brodhead introduced a bill extending
the provisions of the several acts granting
bounty land to officers and soldiers of the mill
tary service Of the U. States Referred.
| Mr.. Stuart introduced bill granting land
to the State of Michigan, to aid in the con-
struction of railroad and branches in that
State. Referred.
Dir. Bright introduced bill providing for
the purchase Of a site nd for the erection of
suitable buildings tor the accommodation Of
the u. States Courts and the Post Office at In
dianapolis Indiana.
Mr.. James introduced bill for the relief of
the officers and soldiers of the Rhode Island
brigade of the Revolutionary waT, their heirs
and assigns Referred
On motion by Mr.. Hunter, the Senate pro.
ooeded TO consider the bill to extend lbs FlTaro.
housing system, by establishing private bonded
warehouses; and the same was read three
times, and passed
MIR. Jones, OF Tennessee, submitted O resOlu-
ton, which was agreed to- calling upou the
Secretary Of War for the report Of the Com
missioner appointed to select site f0r a rlili.
tsry asylun.
On motion Of Alf Chase, The Senate bro
ceeded to the confederation Of sis resolution
directing an inquiry by the Committee on
Roads and Canals as TO the expedieucy of con-
STRUGGLING Il railroad from one Of the Western
States to California.
| Mr.. Gwin opposed the reference of the sub.
ject to that committee, and moved to amend
the resolution by referring the Presidents Mes
sage and all other bills and papers on the sub
jeot to q select committee of nine members.
Mr.. Chase cOntendcd that this subject prop
erly belonged to the duties assigned 20 the Com
mittee on Roads and Canals.
Mr. Bright had no objection to referring the
| subject to a select committee; but if it be re-
ferred to any standing committed, it should be
sent to the Committee on Roads and Canals
| Mr. Seward ard Mr. Weller supported the
motion TO refer to o select committee
| Mr. Pratt said it was proposed to refer the
Presidents Message 10 well as other things to
this committed He had read the Message
and confessed his inability to discover what is
the opinion of the President touching the power
of the grant over this subject He thought Sc
lect committee, chosen from all sections would
perhaps lead TO some measures framed in &C
cordance with the opinion of the Executive, who
otherwise might control the action OF Congress
on the subject.
! He favored "a reference to one of The standing
committees.
| Mr.. Badger followed in favor of select
committee, and MIR. Chase replied.
The question was taken, and tho amend
ment referring the subject to a select commit
tee Of nine Senators, to DO appointed by the
Chair which was agreed tC-ayes 81, noes g.
Resolution as amended was adopted.
| Mr. Dodge, Of Iowa. offered resolution d.
rectng the printing of 5 900 copies of the bill
for the establishment of Territorial Govern
mcnt for Oregon. Adopted
And then, on motion, the Senate adjourned
House Of Representatives,, Jan. "A, 1854.
Mr. Hunt, Of Louisiana, made personal cx-
! PLANTATION in relation TO his vote on the prcpo-
sition to repeal the duty on railroad iron, made
| yesterday. He is opposed TO the measure he
is in favor Of protection and especially opposed
to all insidious means of defeating it and also
to the gag law" of which members avail
themselves in calling the previous question.
| Mr. Houston, chairman Of the Committee Of
| Ways and Means, reported bill making ap-
preparations for the construction of forti6ca-
tion+, sc.
Mr.. Bayly, from the came committee, re-
ported bill for the ascertainment and settle
ment of the claims Of American citizens for
French spoliations.
Mr.. Cuttings resolution relating to the con-
tIoprsy between the Secretary Of tho Treasury
and Greene {. Bronson, late Collector Of the
Port Of New York, and the removal Of the lat
ter, was called up.
Mr., Cutting proceeded to address the House,
when
Mr.. Clingman, by his permission remarked
that he would vote for the resolution, if the
purpose was to bring the Secretary to account
ability for his conduct, but would not vote for
a resolution for ncrc political fleet
Mr.. Cutting reviewed the history of the con-
troyerey, and urged that certain 81 iclcs in tie
Unioa made necessary an investigation to pro-
| tect Mr.. Bronson fIom rlandeIcus charges
He wished to develop the fict that the Presi-
dent should be held responsible for the conduct
Of the Secretary, and the publications Of the
Union
Mr.. Cutting persisted in speaking amidst
many interruptions, and argued that the Cfi-
cisl character Of the editor of the Union, as
printer to the House, gave authority and i'm
port.nee to his assaults.
He concluded by moving the previous ques-
ton, when Mr. Orr of s. G, moved to lay the
resolution on the table which wa, decided IN
the affrnative-yeas l04, nays 60
Mr.. Houston, Of Alabama moved to Ten mi
Committee Of the Whole at o'clock to-day
and refused t. modify his resolution by
naming future day when
Mr.. Taylor, of OHIO, moved to lay the reso-
luton on the table; which prevailed.
AT IS minutes before 2 O'Clock, the House
resolved itself into Committee Of the Whole on
the state of the Un,on, Mr. Orr in the chair
when
Mr. Washburn Of Maine, addressed the
House on the annexation Of the Sandwich ISL
lands. He deprecated the morbid desire Of con-
quest or territorial acquisition that pervades
the country. and believ q that the attention of
tho Republic should be directed to the promo
ton of the welfare OF the Territories we now
possess
The energies of the nation, he cOntended
could here find ample scope for their profitable
exercise in the promotion of the arts of peace.
He would have us guided by the principles that
were avowed and cherished by the early fathers
of the Republic, which were not those of an ag-
gressiye ambition. He, however entered upon /
an historical and descriptive account Of the |
islands
The House, after having come out Of Com
mittec, took up the joint resolution authorizing |
the President to confer the title Of Lieutenant
General A motion to lay on the table failed,
and the resolution was then referred TO the
Military Committee.
Several bills were referred to appropriate
committees, and the House adjourned.
Senate, Jan s. 1854.
On motion by Mr.. Badger, it was ordered |
that when the Senate adjourn, it be till Mon
day next
Mr. Foot gave notice of a bill to provide for
the construction of railroad from the Missis-
sippi river to the Pacific coast, which he said
be would explain at the time of It's introduc