The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-06
AFFAIRS m wAsHruoxo1g.
Interesting Debate in the House.
THIRTYJTaIRD CONGRESS-.
SECOND SESSION.

THIRTyJTaIRD CONGRESS-.
SECOND SESSION.
Senate.
WASHINGTON, Dec. &, 1864
The Senate called to order by the Secretary, at
quarter before O'Clock.
ELECTION PRIsnES1 rxasronx.
NJ JONES, (dem.) Of Iowa, offered resolution that
the Senate proceed forthwith the election of Presi
dent fTo ftmTore
MIR. SEWARD, Gree so Of N y, said he would like to
know the effect Of this eectonwhether it was tempo
rary permanent appointment He was satisfied in
his mind there could bc but President pro tenn
Yo,e Of the Senate at time. That officer was Of
corrsc 10 hold till his term eonsttutonally termi-
mated IL the President Of the United States died. the
President OF the Senate would to that high Office
Certainly them there ought to be but present hold
ing that Office
Mr. PAYARD, (den) Of Del, said the question
merely one of choosing presiding officer proceed
to business At present the Senate had nothing do
with possible events supposititious cases.
The resolution adopted.
Mr. WELLER (dem) of Cal asked il he could not offer
resolution declaring certain Senator President pro
tempore Could it not be done by unanimous consentS
Mr. MASON. (dem.) Of Va, said Mr. Atchison had been
elected.
vote therefore he should object the resolution
The Senate then baotted, with the following result
nr'ent.
dawson.
Shase.. .
root
bacger
Mr. Bright then declared elected and escorted
to the chair Messrs. Jones aud Shields Upon taking
it he returned his thanks to the Senate for the high
honor conferred upon him.
Resolutions directing that the President and House of
Representatives be informed of the election of Mr.
Bright adopted
ARMY OPERATIONS CALIFORNIA.
Mr. WELLER offered resolution requesting the Presi-
dent communicate copies of the instructions aud
respondence between the departments and Major Gene
raj Wool, commander of the army tho Pacific coast
respecting the operations of that division. Agreed to-
THE ELECTION OF cIAPLArSs
Mr.. SEWARD offered q resolution for the election of
Chaplains, which laid over.
RIVER IMPROVEMENTS
Mr.. DoDaE gave notice of bill to continue improve
ments at Desmoines River Rapids
/ STANDING COMMITTEES AND T1nnK oigaKs.
| Mr.. SrDE1I, {dem.) of La. moved that all standing
committees of the last session be continued and that
the chair directed to GIL all vacancies that may exist
| Agreed to.
Mr.. Jones' resolution continuing the appointment Of
all the committee clerks Of the last session. after long
debate upon IL, was laid upon the table
MAgIXR HOSPITAL.
Mr. Foor, (whig) of Vt, offered resolution inquirng
the expediency OF constructing marine hospa, at
Burlington, Vermont.
IMPROVEMENT
Mr. Cass, dem } of Mich, gave notice 81 bill for the
construction OF channel through the St. Clair fats.
PACIFIC RAILROAD.
Mr. SEWARD moved to continue the select committee
the Pacific Railroad bill. Agreed to.
Ten clerks then authorized for the principal
mittees, and Immediately afterwards the Senate ad
journed.
House OF Representative.
WASHINGTON, Dec 8, 1854.
rgE STANDING COMMITTEES.
The SPEAKER announced the standing committees No
changes from the last other than the supply Of
vacancies.
TREASURY REPoRT.
The SPEAKnR laid before the House the annual report
Of the Secretary Of State Finances Ordered to be
printed.
PATENT INVESTIGATION.
| On motion of Mr. LErcIKR, (dem) Of Va, Colts
patent committee appointed last winter, continues in
force.
THE DUTY ON RAILROAD IRON.
Mr.. PHILLIPS, (whig) of As., offered resolutions in
structing the Committee of Ways and Means to bring in
bill reducing the duty railroad iron, allowing
extended credit on
Mr.. JOINS, (dem.) OF Tenn, moved that it be laid
the table. Carried--97 against Al.
CALIFORNIA LAND CLAIMS.
Mr. LATHAM, (dem.) Of Cal, introduced . bill extend
ing the time the California Board OF Land Commits.
sioners to transact their business
MODIFYING NATURALIZATION LAws
Mr. TAYLOR (whig) OF Tenn, gave notice OF his inten
iion to introduce bill to modify repeal the naturs
zation lava.
INTERESTING M roRuGypps
Mr.. SolIn,s, (whg) Of Nd, gave notice OF a bill! to
the enlistment of persons Of foreign birth in the
army and navy Also, to prevent the emigration to this
country Of foreign paupers and convics and TO nceae
the revenue Of the government
Various bills we're introduced and resolutions Of il.
qniry adopted.
rHR osrgND CONFERENCE
Mr. Sellers resolution, calling the President IL
not incompatible with public interest TO inform the
House what the object objects OF the meeting
conference Of American Ministers At Ostend; and whe-
ther II was held in obedience TO the instructions Of the
Secretary Of State, and what the result OF a!d
ference, again brought forward.
Mr. SoLIJEs said offering this resolution be had not
the slightest desire to Hnd fault with the adminiira
ton, or our ministers abroad. If he inclined
to strike blow at the administration no. in the
present moment Of its weakness and helplessness Al
though he had no love sdmiration for IT, he sth
full Of tender compassion. QAughter.) There al
most general curiosity from end Of the country TO
the other to knew for what purpose the minister's met
II would be conceded il almost unprecedented
movement. No such meeting lad ever before been
hold When the peculiar character Of him who is said
to be At the bottom Of the matter is consideredwhen
II In understood Minister Madrid the person
who called this mesting there just and well founded
suspicon not only to the proprety, bat to the
dangerous character Of that conference. may be
thought this movement has for its object schemes OF m
clustering territorial aggrAndzement, calculated to
create new discord He trusted this not the object
for which the Ministers met and hoped that the confer
ence Was for some pure and patriotic motives. Give
light Would the friends Of the administration withhold
that which the House has right To demand The day