The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-01-12

Mr.. Benefits bill, granting public lands t.
the States for the purpose of education and in
ternal improvements, was taken up, the aues
ton being on the motion of Mr. Jones of Zen
nessee, to lay it on the table.
AT the request of Mr.. McMullen, the mo
ton was withdrawn, when the question recur
red on the motion to refer the bin to the Com
mittee ON Public Lands.
| Mr. McMullen moved that it be referred with
instructions, modified at the request of Mr.
Clingman, to inquire into the expediency Of sp
propriating all the proceeds of the sales of tht
lands to the support and increase of the
navy.
! Mr.. Bennett discussed the general subject
and could not conjecture why the benefits Of
the pablo lands have always accrued to the
new States. He desired, by his bill, to confer
| benefits on all
/ Mr. Wordsworth, of Illinois, moved that the
whole subject be laid on the table, which mo-
ton was decided in the negatve-ayes 81
NAYS 80
: he motion Of Mir McMullen was rejected
and the bsll was referred TO the Committee or
Public Lands
| Mr.. Cutting submitted preamble and res
olution relating TO the correspondence of the
Secretary of the Treasury and Greene C. Bron-
| son, late Collector of the port of New York
requesting copy Of the published correspond
ence, and any other letters, between the par
ties, as preliminary to an investigation into the
truth of the charges against the Collector
| This resolution lies over under the rule.
| On motion of Mr. Chandler, it was resolved
that Select Committee be instructed to in.
quire into the expectancy CT Withdrawing from
the Treasury of the United States the Smith
sonian fund, and investing the same in sound
| stocks
Mr.. Bridges moved a resolution, that the
Committee on Military Affairs inquire into the
expediency of establishing national foundry
and armory at Allentown, county Of Lehigh
Pennsylvania which lies over.
So also does resolution proposed by Mr.
| Florence, that the Committee of WAYS and
Means inquire into the expedienoy of suspend.
ing the preparation for as much of the build.
ing of the assay Office in the city of New York
as provides for refining establishment in con.
nectiOn with said assay office, and report by
! bill or otherwise.
On motion by Mr.. MillSon, it was resolved
that the Committee on Private Land Claims
inquire into the expediency of further extend.
ing the time for satisfying tie Claims for boun-
ty lands for military services in the war OF
1912, and that they report by bill CT other
wise.
On motion of Mr.. Kidwell, it was resolved,
that the Committee on Commerce inquire into
the expediency of reporting bill for the coz
struction of a custom house in Wheeling Vir-
ginia.
| Mr.. McMullen offered as distinct resolu-
ton his proposed amendment to Mr.. Benefits
Land Bill and it lies over
A resolution moved by Mr.. Clingman was
adopted, which looks to the exclusion of vessels
belonging to our own or other Governments
from competing with private enterprise in trans
porting freight or passengers.
MIR. Perkins, Of Louisiana, moved rosoiu-
ton, requiring the Committee of Ways and
Means to report bill repeating all duty on
railroad iron; which, on motion of Mr.. Ham.
ilton, was laid on the table--yess IS, nays IS
Mr.. Jones, of Louisiana, submitted resolu-
ton, which was adopted, to the effect, that the
Secretary Of War furnish this House with d
statement of the expenses incurred by the Uni
ted States in consequence of the impodments
to the navigation OF Red river.
| Mr.. Campbell, of Ohio, Submitted a reso'u-
ton, requesting the President to inform this
House what information, if any, has been re-
ceived in the Post Office Department in relation
! to distractions to the transportation Of the
mails on the route between Buffalo, New York,
and Cleveland, Ohio, through the town of Ere,
in the State of Pennsylvania and what meas
ures have been taken, if any, by the Executive,
| to secure the uninterrupted transportation OF
| the mails upon said route. This resolution lies
| over under the rule.
| Mr.. Giddings submitted a resolution requir-
| ing the appointment of select committee TO
whom all petitions and memorials on the sub
ect of peace and the establishment of arbitra-
ton between nations shall be referred, to report
thereon: which lies over.
MIR Preston moved resolution Of inquiry,
respecting the orders given du;ing the past
year to our naval force in regard 10 our fishing
| interests.
Mr. Churchwell submitted resolution in
structing the Committee of Ways and Means
to report bill giving a credit Of four years to
railroad companies to Fay the duty on iron i'm
ported by them for railroad purposes; which
on motion Of Mr.. Hamilton, was laid upon the
table The House then adjourned.
Senate, January 4, 1854.
Mr. Douglas, from the Committee on Terri
tories, reported back the bill to establish Ter
ritorial Government for Nebraska with amend.
ments which was ordered to be printed
The Senate then resumed the consideration
Of the resolution submitted yesterday, by Mr..
Seward, relative to the question whether the
Hon. s. S Phelps, of Vermont, be entitled TO a
seat as Senator from that State.
Mr. Foote urged the reference of the subject
to the Committee on the Judiciary. He said it
was the general opinion in Vermont, and in the
Legislature of that State, when they failed to
fill the vacancy, that the previous appointment
by the Governor would continue
Mr.. Badger supported the motion to refer ;
but expressed the desire that Mr.. Phelps would
give the Senate his views on the question. He
said that all his own previous impressions were
opposed to the right of the Senator to hold his
seat
Mr. Butler said that his respect for the State
of Vermont, and for the Senator himself and
for the commission he presented, would induce
him to withdraw all opposition to the motion
to refer.
Mr.. Phelps addressed the Senate, declaring
that no circumstances of a personal nature
had induced him to appear here claiming a
place as Senator; nothing had induced him to
do SO but sense of duty to tho State of YER
mont, and TO secure to her the right of full
representation. He said that the words Of the
Constitution concerning the filling Of vacancies
BY the Governor were, that the Governor should
have power to fill such vacancies until the next
meeting Of the Legislature of the State. He
considered the limitation Of the Constitution
did not apply to the continuance of the appoint
ment and terminate it at the next meeting of
the Legislature, but that the limitation was
confined to the power of the Governor, whose
power to fill vacancy only continued until
the Legislature met, when bis power ceased.
The Senate had decided in the case OF MIR.
Smith, of Maryland, that the meeting of the
Legislature did not terminate the term Of an
Executive appointment. He entered into an
argument to sustain this Interpretation OF the
Constitution.
The subject was then referred to the Com
mittee on the Judiciary.
M Shields from the Committee on Military |