Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-01-24

amenumenG was construed M leglsIatlng Sla-
very into the Territories The committee did
not approve Of this. They proposed to legis-
late Slavery neither in nor ont, but to leave it
altogether free from Congressional intcrven-
ton.
Mr.. Dixon denied that his amendment was
susceptible Of the construction said by the
Senator to have been placed upon It,
The bill was then taken up and postponed
till Monday next.
On motion Of Mr.. Hamlin, the French Spoil
alton bill was fixed for Monday week.
The resolution by Mr.. Chase to amend the
rules by providing for open sessions on such
business as now is considered in Executive SEES
sion, unless otherwise specially ordered by the
Senate, was taken up
Mr.. Mason, with i view Of testing the qnes.
ton, moved that the resolution lie on the table,
which motion was agreed to--yeas 90, nays la.
The following private bills were taken up
and passed.
For the relief of the representatives of Daniel
Loomis, deceased
For the relief Of Noah Lincoln, Of Maine,
and others. ~
For the relief of the heirs Of William w eeks.
For the relief of Ira Baldwin.
For the relief of the widows and orphans of
the officers and seamen of the United schoon-
or Grampns, lost in that vessel
For the relief Of the captors of the frigate
Philadelphia.
resolution setting apart Friday of each
week for the consideration Of private bills.
After an Executive session, the Senate ad-
journed till Thursday.
House Of Representatives, Jan. "a, 1854
Mr.. Cobb, of Alabama, from the Committee
on Public Lands reported back several bills
and memorials Among them several applica-
tions from Alabama for lands for the purpose
of constructing railroads ia that State, for which
he reported q single bill, embracing various
propositions; which, on his motion, was re-
ferred to the Committee of the Whole
Mr.. Odds, from the Post Office Committee.
reported bill further modifying the rates of
postage, and for other purposes which was
referred to the Committee Of the Whole.
Mr.. Upham, from the same committee, re-
ported bill confering the Thanking privilege
on the Superintendent of the Coast Survey and
bis Assistant.
Mr.. Mace moved to add the Secretary Of
the Smithsonian Institute
Mr.. Odds was in favor of abolishing the
franking privilege altogether.
Mr.. Mace advocated his motion. The Smith
sonian Institution was designed to disseminate
conveniences.
Mr.. Jones, of Tennessee, said the Smithso.
MAN Institution was no part of the Govern
ment, and there could be no reason for confer
ring upon it this privilege. II would be bad
precedent.
Mr.. Upham explained that the Coast Survey
Office now ayails itself Of this privilege, through
the Treasury Department. and il was designed
simply to relieve that Department Of the bur-
den of this duty. The Secretary Of the Treas
ury had, in his financial report, recommended
this law. MIR. u. thought the people derived
great benefits from the Thanking privilege rs
used by those permitted to practice it. il IA
cilitated the diffusion of knowledge in most
admirable manner. He also highly eulogized
the Coast Survey and the National Observable
ry, with its collateral departments.
Mr.. Mace withdrew his amendment relative
to the Smithsonian Institution.
The bill was read three times and passed.
Mr.. Hamilton, from the Committee on the
District reported a resolution to provide for
the continuance Of the work on the Washing
ton Aqueduct; which was referred to the Com.
niittee of the Whole.
Mr.. Bissell from the Committee on Military
Affairs, reported back the Senate resolution,
authorizing the President Of the United States
TO confer the title Of Lieut. General by brevct,
for military services; which was referred to
the Committee OF the Whole
The House then resolved itself int. Commit
tee of the Whole, Mr.. Orr in the chair.
Mr.. Oliver, of Missouri, delivered speech
on that portion Of the message relating TO ton
mage duties. He ut first could not determine
how to understand that portion of the message,
but it had been made clear by Mr. Keitt, of
South Carolina, who avowed the purpose OF
the President
A change in the policy Of the Government
was contemplated and what was the apology
therefor? The unconstitutionality of the pres
emit plan IA plan that had been sanctioned by
the first Congress The President had never
been known to vote dollar for tho improve.
ment OF a river or harbor.
He now cast burst of light upon the coun-
try--that which has been sanctioned by Wash
iDgton and all the fathers of the Republic, and
by the uniform practice Of tho country The
President reminded him Of boy of Ia on
rainy day, with his fathers coat and hat on
Such men attempt to rcpudatc the we'll tried
policy. "Great Cod f" said the Speaker, I"
feel humilatedl"
But they say the present policy is irregular
and Facilitating Whose fault is that? Mans
work must be imperfect Gods only is perfect.
But the imperfcctness is owing to the conduct
OF certain partiee.
The Wing party has always done its daty
He who now recommends tonnage duties is
responsible for the imperfections Of the plan.
He never voted dollar for an improvement.
Like terrapin, he has always drawn his head
in when such a measure required his aid
Politicians, statesmen, and sectionalism, had
thwarted e>good plan. The remedy proposed
by the President, and supported by q distin-
guished Senator, was worse than the evils they
imagine they see. He named nobody, but they
might know whom mo meant. He was about
so high, showing how high and 30 broad, land
he showed the breadth aIso) He had recon-
mended tonnage duties to the Executive Of his
State
He had read the speech and the letter Of
the gentleman, Whose dimensions he again de-
scribed,) and he was here TO repudiate them,
and to show that they we're untenabe IL was