Washington sentinel., 1854-07-11

turday TO investigate matters connected with the
bill now pending, TO extend the patent Of Samuel
Colt for seven years. He had expressed very
decided opinion that certain statements allega
tons were true. Though the expression of this
opinion ought not, aud would not, he thought in
| huence him as member of the committee, il
might, perhaps, be satisfactory TO others, he
stood somewhat in the light of the prosecution
that he be excused; and therefore he hoped an
other gentleman would be substituted for him
He had been quite unwell for week or two past
but on the ground first stated by him, he thought
the report should come from persons who have
not expressed an opinion on the points which had
/ Mr.. CLINGMAN was excused from serving
on the committee.
CONVERSATION OF CONGRESS EMPLOYEES.
The SPEAKER stated the first business to be
the motion heretofore made by Mr.. CURTIS (oi
the Committee on Accounts to suspend the rules,
10 enable him TO report joint resolution TO fix
the compensation of the employees in the legisa-
tive department of the government, and to pro-
hibit the allowance of the usual extra compensa-
tion to such as receive the benefit thereof
While the clerk was calling the roll,
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee, raise question
that this was not the same resolution which Mr..
CURTIS heretofore asked leave 10 report; the
words "public folders " having been interpolated.
Mr.. CURTIS remarked that the resolution
brought forward by him, two weeks ago, did not
contain those words; nor did he insert them.
The SPEAKER regarding these words as i'm
properly and unlawfuly in the resolution directed
the clerk TO strike them out.
The rules were suspended-yeas Ill, nays 46 /;
and after further proceedings, the resolution was
passed--yeas l20, nays 52
THE resolution increases the compensation of
the officers, clerks messengers and other EN-
ployees in the legislative department of the gov
ernment, twenty per cent. above the sums they
now respectively receive; and provides that
the messengers Of the House of Representatives
shall not receive less than is allowed TO messen-
gers of the Senate of the same class such in
creased compensation TO take place from July /,
1888 Such as receive the benefit, TO be debarred
from the usual extra compensation.
REVENUE CUTTERS.
On motion of Mr.. FULLER, the Committee of
the Whole on the state Of the Union was dis
reported on the thirtyfrst Of January last, author
izing the Secretary of the Treasury to build or
purchase four additional revenue cutters and ap
propriating 100000 for that purpose.
The House, however, refused 10 suspend the
rule which requires all bills making appropriations
of money TO be first considered in Committee Of
the Whole on The state Of the Union.
CAPE FEAR RIVER.
On motion of Mr. ASHE, the rules were sus-
pended, and the Committee of the Whole on the
state ofthe Union was discharged from the further
consideration of the Senate bill making an appro-
pralion of $l4o,00O for the removal of obstruc-
tons from the mouth of Cape Fear river, North
Carolina.
Mr. LETCHER moved that the bill be laid upon
the table, but the motion did not prevail-yeas "a,
nays 1872
The bill, after further proceedings, was passed
yeas ITO, nays 2s.
DEBATE-HoUR OF MEETING.
Mr.. HOUSTON, offered resolution, which was
adopted--that for the remaining part of the pre-
sent session, all debate in Committee Of the Whole
on the state of the Union shall be confined TO the
question or proposition Immediately under consid-
Grafton.
On motion of Mr.. PHILLIPS it was resolved
that the daily hour of meeting shall hereafter be
eleven o'clock.
Mr.. HEM asked leave to report the Senate
bill making grant of land to the State of Iowa
for the construction Of certain railroads therein.
Mr.. LETCHER objected; and as the House,
he said, had done a large days work, he moved to
adjourn.
The motion was agreed to; and so
The House adjourned.