Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-07-27
House Of Representatives.
MINNESOTA LAND BILL.


Mr.. LETCHER asked leave TO introduce bill
On accordance with previous notice. TO repeal the
oct passed on the 10th of June, and approved by
the President on the Goth of that month, granting
lands TO the Territory Of Minnesota TO aid in the
construction of railroads therein.
Objection having been made, he moved a sus-
pension Of the rules but the motion did not pre-
vail-yeas 100, nays 60---not two thirds.
The House resolved itself into Committee of
the Whole on the state of the Union, Mr.. FULLER
in the chair) and resumed the consideration Of the
NAVY APPROPRIATION BILL.
MIR. SELLERS (after several amendments had
been acted on) introduced one, 10 the effect, that
The Secretary Of the Navy shall cause TO be en-
listed seaman no one who is not native
born American citizen, and every commissioned
and non commissioned officer of the navy shall be
n nativeborn citizen. Before being admitted into
the navy, they are required TO adduce competent
proof of that fact.
Mr.. PHELPS raised the point OF order that the
amendment was not in order, as the bill made ap-
preparations for the support of the navy, and not
for its regulation.
The CHAIRMAN said the point was we'll taken.
Mr.. SELLERS then gave notice that OH every
proper occasion--when the bills for the reorgani-
zation of the army aud the navy shall come up
he should present and uniformly adhere TO the
principle Of the amendment so that no foreigner
shall hold office as soldier or saer in either the
army or the navy ofthe United States.
The committee rose, and the bill, as amended,
was reported 10 the House.
The amendment that no intoxicating, dr ink shall
beprovided as beverage, and that no officer
shall use intoxicating liquor except as a medicine,
was concurred in--yeas 81, nays 65.
Mr.. STANTON, Of Tennessee, thought that
the amendment was n little doubtful, as il now
stood. and expressed the hope that by unanimous
consent the House would make an alteration TO
con6ne the prohibition on board Of our national
vessels,
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee, said he would con-
sent TO strike out the amendment.
Other objections were made.
Mr.. GIDDINGS moved TO reconsider the vote
by which the amendment was concurred in, and
10 lay that motion on the table.
The question was decided in the negative
Yeas 10, nays 81.
The vote was rcconsijered.-Ycas SO, nays 70,
and
80, nays 81 the Speaker casting his vote in the
negative. m
Among other amendments, one was agreed to-
yeas 20, nays 2-approprating $4,000 TO enable
the Secretary OF the Navy to test any improve
ment in steamboilers or other steam machinery
which, in his opinion, may he Of public service in
the construction Of the United States vessels.
The bill, after going through the required pre-
limnary stages, was passcd--yeas 50, nays As
AFFAIRS WITH SPAIN.
Mr.. SINGLETON asked leave 10 introduce
resolution, requesting the President Of the United
States, 80 far as 10 his judgment may be compati-
BILE with the public interests, TO communicate 10
this House whether the progress Of negotiation
with Spain has removed the necessity for provi-
sional acts by Congress- as indicated in his mes
sage of March Is, 1864 or, whether he still thinks
II desirable that measures should be taken 10 en-
able the Executive power 10 protect and secure
The national tights and interests.
Objection was made, and the House refused TO
suspend the rules for the reception Of the resolu-
tion--yeas SO, nays f06
THE ARMY.
Mr.. FAULKNER asked the House to take up
the bill to regulate the day aud increase the eff