Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-03-09
norres OF CONGRESS.

SENATE. Mr.. Phelps addressed
the Senate until three o'clock in support of his
claim to his seat; after which the subject was
postponed, and the Senate proceeded to the
consideration of Executive business, and short
ly after adjourned.
In THE House, yesterday, after we went to
press, Mr.. Kerr addressed the Committee of the
Whole in favor of internal Improvements by
the General Government. and also in favor OF
securing to the old States proportionate share
of the proceeds of the public land sales.
Mr. Simmons then addressed the committee
in favor of the bill Immediately under con-
sideration-the bill donating public lands for
railroads in Minnesota.
Mr.. Lane and Mr.. Bissell made personal
explanations growing out OF the debate OF 'ne
day before
MIR. Richardson next addressed the commit
tee at length. in favor of the bill under con-
sideration.
And then after further debate, the committee
rose and the House adjourned.
PROCEEDINGS OF ToD.aY.
sENArE.-After prayer and the reading Of
the journal, the Senate was occupied for some
time in the reception of petitions.
Mr.. VI alker then brought up favorable re-
port from the Committee on Public Lands, with
respect to the bill for actual settlers, and
moved that it be made the special order of the
day for Monday week. which, after some re-
marks from Mr.. Dawson for longer time, was
agreed to.
Some other bills were then reported, among
which
Mr.. Gwin introduced bill to establish a
I,l
and referred to committee.
Mr. Walker brought up resolution for es-
tablishing certain mail routes in Wisconsin,
which was referred to committee.
Mr.. Sebastian brought up House bill (No.
l4) an act to amend an act for dividing the
State of Arkansas into two judicial districts
which was passed.
Mr.. Stuart brought up the bill to enable the
United Stately Survey to use the solar compass.
Mr.. Evans spoke againstit.
Mr.. Stuart read extracts from the report of
the Commissioner of the Land Office, showing
that $622, $50 had been saved by its employ
ment in surveying lands that could not other
wise have been surveyed.
Mr.. Cass said that he had had experience in
surveying lands and spoke in favor of the in
vention, especially when surveying mineral
lands, where the ordinary needle could not be
employed.
Mr.. Hamlin said that he had formerly been
against it, but he was now satisfied from inves-
igatIon that the principle was right.
MIR. Stuart further explained the invention.
and said that it had been benefcially employ
ed in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Wis
consin, Arkansas, Oregon, California New
Mexico, and Utah. There were large regions
that could not DO surveyed without the instru-
ment. Prof. John Lock, of Boston, said that in
some districts the ordinary compass not only
varied but actually pointed itself. The inven-
tor asked for some small compensation, in con :
sideration of which he would give up the in
yention to the United States Government
Mr.. Dawson spoke against the purchase Of
the right, which would open the door to further
demands.
The bill was then put on its final passage
and passed after a vote had been taken-ayes
IL, nays Is.
bill entitled 90 An act to promote the eff
cheney Of the navy by retiring disables officers
was then put on its third reading, in which
the vote of the Senate was taken, but moi
counted; the vote having been postponed or
a motion by Mr.. Dawson that the Senate
should adjourn, which latter was carried.
The Senate then adjourned.
HoUsE.-To-day, after the reading of the
journal
Mr.. Dean asked leave to introduce resolu
ton, inquiring of the President for informa
ton concerning alleged recent outrages by
spanish authorities at Havana, on property
and persons of American citizens, with a re
quest to report what legislation by Congress
ON that account may be necessary if any ; ane
further, whether our neutrality laws toward.
Spain should not be repealed or suspended
objected to and ruled out
Mr.. Kittredge asked leave to present re-
monstrance from three thousand citizens OF
New Hampshire, against the repeal of tn,
Missouri Compromise; objected to, as this pc
titlon could be presented under the rule.
The House then went into Committee of TIT
Whole on the state of the Union, (Mr Phelps
in the chair) wherein the Minnesota railroad
land donating bill being again taken up, i
was debated in five minute speeches or
amendments by Messrs. Cutting, Stuart, o
Ohio, Jones, of Tennessee, Dean, Washburn
of Illinois, Bissell, and others