Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-08-11
Cuugrrss.
WEDNESDAY, August 2.

fore Committees, undisposed Of at this ses-
sion, until the next session. Adopted.
Mr.. Butler, from the Judiciary Commit
tee, reported that Mr.. Williams, from New
Hampshire. is entitled to hold his seat no
longer Report laid on the table, and order
ed to be printed.
Mr.. Fish, from the select Committee on
Causes of Mortality on board Emigrant YES
sells, reported a bill for the better preserva-
ton Of life on board vessels.
Mr.. Hunter moved to take up the Post
Office Appropriation bill.
Mr.. Mason wanted an executive session.
Mr.. Hunters motion was agreed to-l9
to IL.
Several amendments were adopted a
moug them the following that the mail
steamers between Charleston, Key West
and Havana, be continued during Au-
gust and Sept, as it is in other months; al
lowing the Postmaster of Washington city
a commission of one mill per pound on the
public documents sent through the Post Of
fee, out of which commission he is to pay
his employees increased compensation Of
$3.50 each.
Amendments for the transportation Of Sc
m-monthy mails via Vera Cruz and Aca-
puco TO California, and for a weekly mail 10
Panama were rejected
The bill was reported to the Senate, and
the amendments made IN committee Of the
whole were concurred in.
The bill was then read third time and
passed.
The Civil and Diplomatic appropriation
bill was then taken up.
Mr.. Hunter moved that the Senate insist
on its amendments, and ask Committee Of
Conference. Agreed to, and the committee
appointed.
!, was then ordered that the Senate meet
for the rest of the session at 10 A. NJ.
Mr.Mason at 80 O'Clock, moved for an Elk
ecutve session. Agreed to.
The doors were opened at hali-past six
o'clock.
Mr. Stuart offered the following:
Resoived, The House coBcurring, that
the time fixed by the resolution of July list
for the adjournment of the present session
of Congress, be and the same is hereby ex-
tended to -.
Mr. Hunter reported the Naval Appropr-
alton bill without amendment.
1t was taken up, but without action, the
Senate adjourned.
HousE-The House passed several Sen
ate bills.
On motion Of Mr.. VALLEY, the House con
CURED in the Senate amendment to the bill
providing for the temporary accommodations
of the United States Courts in Boston, New
York and Philadelphia.
The General Appropriation bill was then
taken up.
The Senate amendment, appropriating
$4,000 to reimburse Edward Riddle, for
sums expended by him on account of his of
fetal position at the London Industrial Exhl-
btion, was reiected-c7 10 IS.
The Fertilization bill was then taken up.
Mr.. Hunter said that for some years the
House had refused 10 pass any fertilization
bill. This one had passed by only three
majority The Committee had conceded,
that to secure Its passage no amendment
should be made to it, The bill was passed.
Mr. l.eiclRr moved the Senate amend
ments be laid on the table
The Speaker said If this should prevail,
the bill would be carried with 1t.
The question was decided in the negative.
20 to ll3
The bill was then returned to the Senate.
Mr. Haven moved the River and llarbor
bill, as amended by the Senate be referred
to Committee of the Whole.
The House refused to suspend the rules,
30 against rs = not two thirds.
Mr.. Duncan moved that the House pro-
coed to the business on the Speakers table
with a view TO take up the Homestead bill
Motion failed, 81 against g.
The House at "a O'Clock adjourned.
THURSDAY, August g.
SrNArE.-Mr. RockwelPs resolution, cal
ling for the residue Of the corresponds ncs
of Mr. Marsh respecting events at Constan-
tinoplc, was adopted.
I he bin to provide for the surrender OF
CERTAIN bonds of the State OF Indiana was
taken up aud passed.
The Naval Appropriation bill WAS taken
/ up.
Mr.. Gwinn moved 10 add to the bill an ap-
preparation Of 100000 Tor the Navy Yard
at san Francisco. Adopted.
Mr.. Gwln moved an amendment paying
for the use Of the propeller Columbus, be-
longing TO the Pacific steamship Company
on the coast Of California, $4,000 or at
the rate Of $500 per day, IA addition 10 a
change of S35 per ton for the coal which has
been paid by the Government
MIR. Benjamln opposed the amendment as
shameful and exhorbitant.
slr.Gwn repded,and demanded 10 know on
What authority the Senator pronounced the
[ charterlng at this price as shameful and sx.
orbltant upon Its face.
" | make the statement on my responsible
Z ily as Senator"
A long debate then ensnad.
Mr.. Owns amendment was rejected -
yeas /, nays 80.
Other amendments were offered, including
the following: That the pay of non-com-
mssloned officers and priva,es Of marines be
increased to the same rate TO the same grade
IN the army-adopted. That board OF Ma
val Officers be appointed TO investigate the
character and qualifications of all officers OF
the navy Of the grade OF captain aud lower
grades, and report to the Secretary OF the Ma
Wy such as are disqualified for duty, and that
the Secretary be authorized TO drop from SER
vice such officers.
A long debate ensued, in which Mr. Gwin
read a statement from the Navy Department
Of several officers in high rank, who from ha
bltual lntemperance, mental arrangement in
duced thereby, and other like causes, had
been incompetent for duty for twenty years.
The amendment was rejecled-22 to %.
Mr. Rusk moved an amendment authoriz-
ing the President to nominate as officers of
the army and navy of the United States, the
surviving officers of the Texas army. De-
bated and rejected.
Mr. Rusk offered an amendment allowing
the officers of the Texas navy the pay Of
officers on leave of absence since the term
of annexation to the present time Agreed
to--yeos Ia, nays Ii.
The bill was reported 60 the Senate and
the amendments cbncurred in.
Mr.. Mallory renewed his amendment for
Naval Board, pending which the bill was
laid aside until SIX o'clock for a recess.
The Senate re assembled at six O'clock
The Light House bill was taken up, read a
third time and passed.
The bill from the House, repeating the
act granting lands to Minnesota for rail.
road, was read once its second reading was
objected to by Mr.. stuart.
Mr.. Mason, from the Committee on For
eign Relations, made report The commit
tee entirely concur with the declaration con
tanned in the Presidents message To the