Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-23
House of REPRESENTATIVES,.


Mr. HOUSTON, from the Committee of WAYS
and Means, reported bill making appropriations
for the service of the Post Office Department for
the year ending June 80, 1856 and
+ bill making appropriations for the transporta-
ton of the mails of the United States in ocean
steamers and otherwise.
Which were severay referred to the Commit
tee OF the Whole on the state Of the Union
Mr.. HIBBARD introduced resolution which
was adopted, inslructing the Committee on Naval
Affairs TO inquire into and report the propriety
of granting permission 10 the inhabitants OF Sea
vey's Island TO build bridge across an arm of the
Piscataqua river, on 10 the Kittery navy yard
grounds, and TO grant them road through those
grounds TO The village Of Kiltery.
Mr.. WELLS introduced bill for the continue
ton ofthe improvement ofthe harbor of Milwau-
kie, Wisconsin
A bill making further appropriation for the i'm
provement OF the Racine river, Wisconsin, and
A bill making appropriation for the improves
ment Of Neosha river, Wisconsin;
Which were severally referred 10 the Committee
on Commerce.
Mr.. FULLER, from the Committee on Com
merce, reported back the joint resolution for the
better preservation of life.
II authorizes the President of the United States
10 open correspondence with Great Britain or
any one OF her dependencies, in order 10 procure
the erection OF hrst-class lighthouse at Cape
Race, on The Island of Newfoundland the United
States TO bear such equitable proportion of the
expense as 10 him may seem Just and proper.
MIR. CUTTING said, the great loss of life, and
the large amount Of travel in that direction COM
bined 10 induce the House 10 pass the resolution
without delay.
Mr.. SMITH, ofVirginia, opposed the resolution,
regarding il as the germ of the commencement OF
system TO build foreign lighthouses
Mr.. FULLER replied, saying, light house al
Cape Race was OF great importance. 1t was the
point where the line of steamers arrive and de-
part. The safety Of the naval and commercial
marine required the erection Of the proposed
work.
MIR. McMULLIN desired time TO consider the
resolution, and condemned hasty legislation. The
proposition was both novel and unprecedented
Mr.. FULLER mentioned that Congress had
twice made appropriations 10 build lighthouses
outside of our territorial limits.
Mr.. CHANDLER advocated the resolution
Whatever is right in the beginning should be
consummated at once. The end would sanctify
the means.
The resolution was, after further proceedings,
passed-Yeas rs, nays SO.
The SPEAKER laid before the House letter
from the Secretary of the Treasury, communca-
ting the report Of the Superintendent of the Coast
Survey for the year 1854. Laid on the table, and
ordered TO be printed.
Mr.. ROBBINS offered resolution which was
referred 10 the Committee on printing providing
for the printing Of ten thousand extra copies five
thousand for the of Members Of the House,
e,
and that il be printed and bound, with the plates,
| in quarto form.
The SPEAKER also laid before the House a
communication from the Secretary Of the Trea-
sury, in reply 10 a resolution OF the 18th instant,
making inquiry of him whether the buildings au-
thorzed TO be erected at Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
for a custom-house, and other purposes are suffi-
GENTLY capacious. Referred TO the Committee on
Commerce, and ordered TO be printed.
The House then passed the bill TO reorganize
the courts in the District Of Columbia, and TO re-
form and improve the laws thereof-yeas 113,
nays IS.
On motion by Mr.. HILLYER, il was resolved
that, when the House adjourns to-day, il adjourn
| till Tuesday next
| Mr.. STANTON, Of Kentucky, from the Com
| mittee on Printing, reported a resolution, which
was adopted, authorizing the printing Of fifteen
hundred copies Of the annual report and appendix
| Of the Postmaster General which accompany the
Presidents annual message, for the use of that
Department; and also, for the use OF the Pension
| Once, one thousand copies Of the report OF the
Commis, , with the accompanying papers.
Mr. EDGERTON moved that the House re.
solve itself into Committee Of the Whole on the
Private Calendar.
Mr. CULLOM, moved that the House adjourn
and the question having been taken, il was de-
cidcd in the negative--yeas 81, nays 70.
The House then resolved itself into a Commit
Tee of the Whole on the Private Calendar, (Mr.
JoNEs, Of Pennsylvania, in the chair)
This being what is known as objection day. y
no debate was in order, and single objection 10
a bill taken up was sufficient 10 prevent action
upon il for the time being.
Five bills were objected to, and one laid aside
TO be reported TO the Houee, viz: A bill for the
relief Of the legal representatives Of Colonel John
II. Stone.
This, when the committee rose, was passed
and the bill tor the relief Of the legal representa-
tsvss Of Colonel Francis Vigo was rejected, in
accordanca with the recommen dafIon Of The com.
mittee.
At fifteen minutes past two o'clock,
Mr. BAYLY, Of Virginia, moved that the House
again resolve itself into Committee Of the Whole
House, saying that private claimants ought TO
have this day.
Pending his motion,
The House adjourned.