Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-05-04
DOINGs IN CONGRESS.


SENArE.-Yes terday, shortly after taking
up the Indian appropriation bill, a message
was received from the President, with his veto
to the INDECENT insane land BILL" A length
ened debate ensued, ON the motion made by
Mr.. Foot, that the bill be laid on the table and
printed, who afterwards made speech in sup
port of the measure.
Several other Senators joined in the debate
Mr.. Brown moved that the bill be passed
Notwithstanding the Presidents objections.
Mr.. Hunter sustained the veto, and said the
country was deeply indebted to the President
for arresting the bill.
Mr.. TOombs maintained the soundness of the
principles enforced by the President in his
message. Fsf &--
Mr.: Dixon opposed the message, expressing
surprise that the constitutionality Of giving
lands for marine hospitals, railroads aud
school purposes was admitted, while it was de-
MED in this case. ,s-rrs-.-..
The debate was further continued by Messrs
Douglas, Stuart, and others, until the hour of
adjournment.
In THE HOUSE, yesterday, after we went to
press, in Committee of the Whole, the bill to
establish the Office of Surveyor General of New
Mexico, and to grant donations of the public
domain In that territory, was further con-
sidered, being debated by Messrs. Smith, of
New York, Disney, Howe, Wade, Washburn,
of Me-, keltt, Giddings, and Campbell. Ere
the committee rose, an amendment proposed
by Mr.. Disney, extending the pre-emption
right in New Mexico to all male white citizens
OF the United States, and all whites (emigrants)
who intend to become citizens of the United
States, was adopted.
The bill, amendatory Of the act of Septem-
Der n, 1850, organizing the public lands de-
partment in Oregon, was taken up; and was
not disposed Of when the committee rose, and
the House adjourned.
PROCEEDINGS OF TODAY
SENArE.-After prayer and the reading of
the Journal, communication was read by
the Secretary, containing the correspondent
between the Executive and British Ambassa-
dor on the SUBJECT of the law respecting Emf
grant passenger ships; which was ordered to
be printed
Petitions against the repeal of the Missouri
compromise, were presented by Messrs. Seward
| and Chase; which, on molten, were ordered to
lie on the table
Mr.. johnson moved resolution of enquiry,
calling upon tho Secretary of the Navy for a
| copy of the report on the exploration of the
| North and South Pacific, made in lS49. AL.
lowed.
Mr.. Sebastian reported from the Committee
| on Indian Affairs, certain papers, being vouch
| ers of the payment of cha. ges to Judge Young,
| incurred in the late gubernatorial investiga.
| ton in the territory Of Minnesota; which, on
his motion, were laid informally on the table
to allow of their inspection by Mr.. Stuart
Mr.. Sumner presented petition from Mis-
| souri, and Wisconsin, upon spiritual mani
| festations. The memorial was similar in Oh ar.
acter to that presented by his friend from
| Illinois. 1t concluded with praying for the
| IF h,{ !,
Senate to examine into the subject, and for the
grant of an appropriation for that purpose.
Mr.. Shields said that he had been censured
| for not moving the appointment of selec
| committee, when he presented a similar petit
ton. He would propose to his friend from
Massachusetts, to move for one, and if he would
consent to be Chairman, he, (the speaker
would have no objectipn to serve on it.
| Mr.. Sumner said that he had only followed
his friends lead. The petitioners in this las
instance did not ask for select committee.
| Mr.. Shields had great confidence in the sci
entifc requirements Of his friend from Massa
chusetts.
Mr.. Gwin moved the postponement of tn,
motion on printing the Presidents veto mes
sage until Monday week.
| A debate ensued.
Mr.. Shields speaking on the subject of tn,
| Homestead bill; and the vote had not beer
taken at our departure.
HoUsE.-To-day, Mr.. Lane, of Oregon
moved the usual resolution to close the debat,
on the bill to amend the act creating the Of
fee of the surveyor general of Oregon, in fiv,
minutes after it should again be taken up il
Committee of the Whole on the state of thu
Union.
Mr.. Phelps suggested fifteen minutes; which
was accepted by Mr.. Lane
Mr. Letcher moved to amend it by striking
out the words fifteen minutes. and inserting
in lieu thereof the words " one hour" Amend
ment not agreed to.
The resolution was then passed
Mr.. Richardson then reported Joint reso
luton for the payment OF the expenses of ,
board to prepare a code of laws for Utah terri
tory; referred to the Committee of the Who'll,
on the state of the Union.
The House then went into Committee O
the Whole on the state of the Union, fMr
Phelps in the chair,) wherein the bill amen
datory of the act creating the Office of Sur
veyor General of Oregon was duly considered
on various amendments; the bill to establish
the office of Surveyor General of Utah, ant
for other purposes, and other territorial bust