Washington sentinel., 1854-07-15

GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS.
On motion by Mr.. BAYARD, the Senate pro-
ceeded TO the consideration of the bill authorize
the extension and completion of the Treasury
building, SO as TO cover that part of the executive
square lying east of the Presidents House, and
TO include accommodation for the State Depart
ment and also for the construction of like build
| ing on the grounds west of the Presidents House
/ for the War, Navy, and Interior Departments. The
| bill appropriates 100000 for the commencement
Of the work. The bill was then read third time
| and passed.
CAIRO, ILLINOIS.
The Senate, on motion by Mr.. SHIELDS, pro.
ceeded to the consideration Of the bill 10 consti
tute Cairo in Illinois, port of delivery; and the
same was considered and passed.
LANDS FOR RAILROADS.
On motion by Mr. DODGE of Iowa, the Sen
ate proceeded 10 the consideration of the bill grant
| ing lands in alternate sections TO the States OF
| Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, TO aid in
! the construction Of a railroad from New Orleans
| TO Mobile
On motion by Mr. GEYER, the Senate pro-
ceeded to the consideration of the bill to aid in
the construction of certain railroads in the State
of Missouri, by a grant of portion of the public
lands.
WORKS OF THOMAS JEFFERSON.
| Mr. PEARCE introduced joint resolution pro-
viding for the distribution OF the works Of Thomas
Jefferson, in the following manner: To the Presi-
dent of the United States copy; TO the Libraries
of the several Departments one copy; 10 each sena-
tor and member of the House, one copy TO the
Office Of the Secretary of the Senate five copies
10 the library of the House Of Representatives,
ten copies; 10 the library Of Congress, six copies
TO all the Libraries Of the States and Territories,
each, one copy; TO the Smithsonian Institution
the military and naval academies, each one copy
| for purposes of international exchange, twelve
copies; and for such colleges and literary and
scientific institutions as shall be designated by the
| present Committee on the Library, three hundred
! copies.
And the same was considered, read three times,
and passed.
HOUR OF MEETING.
The Senate proceeded 10 the consideration oi
| the resolution providing that on and after Monday
next the daily hour OF meeting Of the Senate shall
be III o'clock, a. M; and the same was adopted.
POSTAL SERVICE IN THE PACIFIC.
| On motion by Mr.. GWIN, the Senate proceeded
TO the consideration Of the bill from the House
making provision for the postal service in the
State OF California and in the Territories of Wash
ington and Oregon; and the same was slightly
amended, and passed.
| SLAVERY IN THE TERRITORIES.
Mr.. CHASE, pursuant to previous notice. in
troduced ill 10 prohibit slavery in the Terrific.
4 ries OF the United States.
| Mr.. G. said that the operative words of the bill
were those Of Mr.. Jefferson, in lisa, and Of the
ordinance OF 1857 and of the Missouri restriction
which had been lately repealed by Congress. The
subject had been too fully discussed this session 10
| need any further debate upon the bill. He did not
desire TO invoke any debate or action upon il now
1 but at the next session would ask vote upon il
| The bill was read first time.
Mr.. JONES, OF Tennessee, said he desired to
| have test question on this proposition, and
| would be glad if il could be put into shape in
| which he could move 10 lay il on the table He
desired an opportunity 10 see who were the mem
! bers Of the Senate who would support such a
measure.
Mr.. CHASE said the bill would come up to-
morrow on its second reading, and then the mo-
iion could be made to lay il on the table.
| Mr.. SEWARD said that he would in all proba.
bility be absent o.morrow, and he desired to say
now, that if present, he would vote for the bill.
THE HOMESTEAD BILL.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the
special order--being the bill from the House ol
Representatives to grant homestead OF one
hundred and sixty acres Of the public lands 10
actual settlers. The question pending was the
amendment offered by Mr.. CLAYTON TO strike out
the sixth section Of the BILL which is in the follow.
| ing words:
as. and be q further enacted That any mechanic or
other czon OF the United States Of full age engaged in
aud accustomed 10 any busuess trade calling, other
than the cultivation Of land SHALL In of his
inability comply with the conditions of act by req
Of his OF knowledge SKILL experience In such
4
Of land herein provided, the OF $780, 10 be
paid 10 him out Of money In the treasury not other
wise appropriated.
! Mr.. CHASE moved TO amend the section, so
1 that il would read as follows
"sEc 8. And be further enocted That II any Individual
not citizen OF the United States but ut the time Of
making such application for the benefit Of this scy Co.
thus extending is benefits 70 aliens who may hereafter
arrive In the United States.
| This amendment was further debated and was
| then rejccted-yeas 13 nays SO.
| Mr. DIXON moved 10 amend the sixth section,
by striking out the words any individual and
insert in lieu thereof, the words any free white
| person"
A long debate ensued, in which, on one side IL
was denied that the BILL as it stood, allowed any
person but free white person 10 ENJOY the bene-
fits Of the bill and on the other that, under the
bill this section stood il would allow foreign
blacks TO enter upon the land, and the amendment
was then adopted--yess 3S, nays ID.
Mr., DIXON moved further to amend the bill by
adding 10 the sixth section, ethat in case any
foreigner shall die before becoming citizen, lands
shall not descend 10 such Of his heirs or devsces
born out Of the United States, who shall be Of the
age OF 81 years.
And after debate this was agreed to--yess 81,
nays 20.
Mr.. BROWN moved 10 amend lh. -, nv sd,