Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-04-21
C0mgrfssi0naI.
THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
te.-Thursday, April 90. 1854.
THE HOMESTEAD.

senate.-Thursday April go. 1854.
THE HOMESTEAD.
Mr.. BRoDHEAD presented a petition from
Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, praying
that the homestead bill be amended so as 10 pro-
vide that the United States shall repay 10 all pur-
chasers of public lands the amounts paid therefor
by them.
NATIONAL CHAPLAINs.
Mr.. PETIT presented large number OF petit
tons, signed by the citizens of Ohio, Indiana
Georgia, Mississippi, Massachusetts, New York,
and Pennsylvania, praying the abolition of the
Office OF chaplain in the service OF the United
States.
The Massachusetts petition says: if members
are disposed TO pay or hire others 10 pray for thenl
let il be done al the individual expense of those
prayed for, and not of the people.
The others deny that any power has been dele
gated 10 Congress TO employ chaplains. They
assert that the employment Of any sectarian is
giving government support TO preaching doctrines
ofthai sect. II establishes religious test 10 office;
the chaplain must necessarily be religionist
The annual cost for chaplains is one-quarler of a
million of dollars. They deny that there can be
any more oropriety in providing chaplaIns for Con-
gress and the army and navy than providing Them
every city and villagen the United States Mem
beers Of Congress ought TO be paid sum sufficient
TO enable them TO pay for the services Of their own
spiritual advisers. Religious zeal, without the
addition of government gold would secure the SER
hypocrite 1t was wrong and oppressive TO COM
pei man TO attend religious ceremonies and prac-
tices which were not approved by his conscience
and this was fully evidenced by the brutal punish
ment imposed by court-martal at Fort Column
bus, New York on soldier named Duggan.
The memorials were laid on the table.
NEBRASKA BILL-GEoRGIA RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. DAWSON presented the following resolu-
tons OF the legislature OF Georgia:
u m. nrr
The State Of Georgia in solemn convention having firmly
fixed the principles
OF 1885, relating the subject of slavery in the Territories
of the United States settlement Of the agitation Of
that question: introduction in halls of Congress and
the political and its reference to the people the
Territories interested therein and distinctly recognising
In those compromise the doctrine that Is
competent for Congress to impose restrictions the
existence OF slavery among them upon the citizens
ing into and settling the Territories of the Union
CURED TO be hereafter acqured but that the questions
whether slavery shall shall not form part their
mestc institutions, is for them alone determine for
themselves and her present executive having
and affirmed the same fixed policy in his inaugural ad
dress
resolved By The senate house of representatives
Of ne State Of Georgia IN general assembly met That the
speaking their will aud expressing their feelings have had
their confidence strengthened in the settled determination
Of body Of the northern people to in
good faith those principles in the practical application
them to the bills reported by Mr. DOUGLASS from the Com
mittee Territories the United States Senate at the
government for the Territory Of Nebraska
and be IL further rcso,rca, That senators in Con-
gress be and they hereby instructed and repre-
sentatvcs requested to vote for and support those prnci
PIES and to a proper in their power carry
Territory Of Nebraska or in any other Bill for territorial
government which may come before them.
@ Tina. his snsssensy the be
Of our senators and representatives in Congress.
II. v. JOHNSON, Governor.
Laid on the table and ordered to be printed.
Messrs. SUMNER and WADE presented re-
monstrancss against the extension OF slavery.
SAVANNAH POST OFFICE.
Mr.. DAWSON presented memorial numer-
ly signed by citizens Of Savannah, Georgia, pray
ing the erection of post Office at that place.
BILLS PASSED.
Mr.. RUSK reported bill for the relief of James
Jefries and Jeremiah NJ Smith !; and the same
was considered and passed
Mr.. ADAMS reported joint resolution provid-
ing for the settlement of The accounts of certain
mail contractors, whose contracts were suspended
during the years 1888, 1889; and The same was
considered and passed
LANDS IN NEW MEXICO.
The bill to provide for survey Of the public
lands in, and to establish land system in the Ter
ritory Of New Mexico, was taken up, read and
passed.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
Mr.. SLIDELL introduced bill TO confirm the
claim of William III. Henderson, TO 500 acres Of
land in the Bastrop grant. Referred.
Mr.. BROWN introduced bill TO grant other
lands in lieu Of certain sixteenth sections granted
for school purposes in the State of Mississippi.
Referred
WIDOWS OF DECEASED SOLDIERS.
Mr.. CLAY. from the Committee on Pensions,
reported bill allowing five years halfpay 10 the
widows or minor children Of all officers and pri-
Yates of the army who have served in the war Of
1912, or who may hereafter die of wounds received
or disease contracted 10 the line Of his duty in the
army Of the United States.
And then, on motion by Mr.. STUART, the Sen
ate proceeded TO the consideration of Executive
business.
At four o'clock the doors were opened, and
The Senate adjourned till Monday.