Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-27
House of Representatives.

Mr. ENGLISH asked the unanimous consent
of the House to take up from the Speakers table
the joint resolution of the Senate appointing
Rufus Choste and Gideon HaWley Regents of the
Smithsonian Institution His object was 10 have
il put on its passage. AT an early day next week
the regular meeting of the Regents will take
place, and it was desirable there should be full
Board Those gentlemen were Regents hereto
fore, and he presumed there would be no obJec-
ton 10 their appointment.
The resolution was taken up and passed.
Mr. WHITFIELD offered resolution, which
was referred TO the Committee on Printing, au-
thorzing the purchase, out of the contingent
fund, OF copies of the map Of Nebraska and
Kansas, for distribution among the members OF
the House.
He introduced bill to aid the Territory of
Kansas in the construction OF a railroad in said
Territory. Referred to the Committee on Public
Lands.
Mr. BRIDGES offered resolution, which was
adopted, instructing the Judiciary Committee to
inquire into the expediency of preventing, by law,
the importation of foreign paupers and criminals
into the United States, and that they report, by
bill or otherwise, at the earliest possible date.
Mr.. HUNT introduced resolution, which was
adopted nstructing the Secretary of the Navy TO
inquire into the expediency of establishing naval
depot al or near New Orleans, for the equipment
ard repair Of vessels of war, and report such in
formation as he may obtain on the subject 10 the
House.
4uT OHeTeO n resOlullOn, winch was
adopted, referring TO the Committee on the Judi
ciary the law OF the Territory of Minnesota char
tering the Minnesota and Northwestern Railroad
Company, with view of declaring void and ofno
effect the said law; and mako report of their
ton in the premises
Mr.. RUSSELL, from the Committee on Print
ing, TO which resolution 10 that effect was re
ferred reported II back, authorizing ten thousand
copies, in addition 10 the usual number of the let
ter ofthe Secretary Of the Treasury, communica-
ting the report of the Superintendent off Coast
Survey, for 1884, 10 be printed; five thousand
copies for the use of the House. and the remain
der for the distribution by the Coast Survey Office;
10 be printed and bound in quarto form, the plates
TO be prepared under the direction Of the Coast
Survey Office
II was adopted.
Mr.. CORWlN offered resolution, which was
adopted, instructing the Committee on Invalid
Pensions 10 inquire into The expedency of extend
ing the system of pensions 10 certain classes OF
persons not now provided for.
The first business in order was the bill granting
lands equally 10 the several States Of the Union
for the purposes Of internal improvements and ed.
ucationi but, owing 10 the absence OF Mr.. BEN
NETT, who reported the bill, its further consid.
Grafton was postponed until this day three weeks
On motion OF Mr.. FULLER, the President Of
the United States was requested 10 communicate
TO this House, in connection with the report on
commercial relations and comparative tariffs
copies Of all returns of consuls and commercial
agents of the United States, made in reply 10 the
circular of the Secretary Of the Treasury, dated
October 5, 1888, or such portions Of the same as
II may be deemed expedient 10 communicate.
Mr.. GOODRICH introduced bill giving The
assent OF Congress to Massachusetts TO cede 10
New York the district Of the first named Stale
known as Boston Corner" embracing one thou.
sand and eighteen acres Of land.
After brief explanation, the bill was passed.
Mr.. LILLY offered resolution, which was
adopted, nstructing the Committee on Commerce
10 inquire into the expcdieucy Of providing for
the erection Of custom-house at Perth.Amboy
New Jersey.
Mr.. COBB, from the Committee on Public
Lands, reported bill amendatory 10 the act for
graduating and reducing the price Of public lands
Alter conversation, in which Messrs. COBB
WASHBURNE, Of Illinois, JONES, Of Tennes.
see, and ORR, participated, the further consider.
alton Of the bill was postponed until this day one
week, on the suggestion Of the last-named gentle.
man.
On motion Of Mr.. HOUSTON, the House took
up the Senate bill providing for the contingent
expenses OF the Territory Of Nebraska, and, after
explanations, passed il.
Mr.. HOUSTON moved that the House resolve
itself into the Committee Of the Whole on the state
Of the Union.
Mr. STEPHENS, Of Georgia, moved that when
the House adJourns, il adjourn 10 meet on Friday
next; but the motion was disagreed to--yeas S.,
nays 90.
On motion by Mr.. LETCHER, the House. nj
two o'clock, adjourned.