Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-26

Thirty. third Congress, Est. Session.

41l1 Gy'Iu1u OuuSIeSSy TSC, DeSSiuur
MONDAY, APRIL 7.-Senate.-Several petit
lions and memorials were presented then
one by Mr. Shields, signed by some fifteen. thou
sand persons, praying Congress to appoint scien
tific commission to investigate the phenomena o
spiritual rapping SIC.
Mr.. Butler reported bill carrying out the re-
commendation of the President for enlarging the
judicial system of the United States. Made the
special order for the first Monday in May.
The House bill tograduate and reduce'the price
Of the Public Lands was taken up and read twice
and referred to tile Committee on Public Lands.
The Senate remained in Executive session til
4 o'clock. when it adjourned. 1t is understood
that the Senate refused to ratfy the Gadsder
Treaty.
House.-Mr. Wal!bpdge Introduced resou
ton, defining our position in regard TO the Euro
mean war. SC. Referred to the Committee OF
| Foreign Affairs The resolutions declare that ev
ery American vessel is protected by our flag, ant
cannot he detained or searched with in1punity.--
They also declare that no European SYSTEM shah
be extended to this continent.
The bill increasing the salaries of clerks, SC.
was debated at length, but without final action
the House adjourned.
TUEsDAY.-Senate.- Mr.. Cass presented me
mortal from Jewish citizens, asking that efforts
may be made to secure religious federation to A.
mericans in foreign countries.
| The Homestead Bill was taken up, and Mr.
Petit spoke in its favor.
At half past one, the Senate went into execu
tive session which lasted till four o'clock, whe
the Senate adjourned.
| House.-The House resumed the consideration
Of the bill increasing the salaries ofthe Clerks ant
other officers in the Executive Departments. Th,
bill was finally passed-ayes rs, nays 65.
Mr.. Lane, of Oregon, introduced bill to ena
bic the people Of Oregon to form Constitution
and State government, and provide for an admis
sion of such State into the Union. Referred t
the committee on Territories.
! The House then went into committee on The
West Point Academy BILL as returned from tht
Senate with amendments. That appropriatine
twenty thousand dollars for a Cavalry Exercise
! Hall, was discussed by various members The
main point involved was, whether such Hall was
necessary to teach cavalry exercise. During thu
debate MIR. Letcher said there was such a grea
difference between his Democratic friends, that HI
was bothered how to vote. Here were military
gentlemen on both sides of the House, one enter
tanning different opinions from another. There
were experiments going on at judiciary Square
and he therefore proposed that they all visit Fran
coni's Hippotrome to see exactly how riding works
in house. Laughter. They would then b
enabled to vote understandingly.
The question was taken on the Senate amend
ment. No quorum voted, when the Committee
rose and the House adjourned.
-Senate-The Senate bill in
creasing the pay ofclerks in the Departments, wa
received from the House with two amendments
The Bill was taken up and the amendments con-
Cured in.
The bill providing compensation of slOO,0O(
for the discovery of practical anesthesa was pass
ed. It recites that Doctors Jackson, and Morton
of Boston, and DR.. Wells, of Hartford, claim eacl
to ue the discoverer, but leaves the question o
right between them to be decided by suit in equi
| ty.
The Homestead Bill was taken up, and Mr.
Adams, of Mississippi, spoke against it. He wa:
opposed to taxing Americans in order to give homes
to foreigners. He regarded the influence OF for
eigners in this country as alarming, and though
Congress should not offer further inducements fo
their emigration.
Mr.. Thompson, of Kentucky, also opposed thu
bill, in an able speech.
Mr.. Brown gave notice Of substitute for the
whole bill. and the Senate then went into eXecu
tive Session.
House.-Afer some business of no interest, the
bill granting portions Of the public lands to tn
several States for the support of the INDECENT in
sane, was 'aken up. Every legislative expedient
was used to defeat the bill, but it was finally pass
ed--yeas 81, nays 81.
The bill grants to the several States for the ben
eft of INDECENT insane persons, ten millions of a
| IL. al
Of the United States, in the compound ratio OF the
geograp hcal and representation OF said States
in the House Of Representatives, according TO the
last census. The amoant TO each is to be invest
ed, and the interest to be applied to the support
of the insane.
THURSDAY -Senate-Mr. Brodhead presented
petitions from Pennsylvania, praying an amend
ment Of the Homestead bill, So as to require the
Treasurer OF the United States to pay back to al
persons the amounts paid by them for public lands
Mr.. Petit presented twelve petitions from va
rious States, praying the abolition OF the uncon-
siitutiohal Office of Chaplain.
After some undressing business the Senate
went into executive session, and finally adjourned
till Monday.
Hoalse-The bill in reference to carrying the
mails in Alabama was further discussed and ther
passed. -,
The House went into committee on the Yves
Point bill. and agreed to the amendment appro
priating $4,000 for the erection Of Cavalry FIX
ercise Hall.
FRrpAY.-House.-'Th Senate bill to recon-
pense the discoveries of practical Anesthesia, wa:
taken up, and laid on the table.
A bill for settling claim for losses in SPAR
thirty years ago, was debated in Committee o
the Whole, and the House then adjourned til
Monday.