Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-02-21
DOINGS, OF CONGRESS

SENArE.-Y esterday, after we had left, Mr.
Petit spoke at considerable length in favor Of
the Nebraska Bill.
MIR. Cass briefly replied, in answer to some
remarks that were dropped @
Mr. Summer obtained the floor, and moved
that the further consideration of the measure
should be postponed until to-day.
The Senate then adjourned.
In THE HOUSE, yesterday, after we went to
press, the House on agreeing to set apart Tues
day, Wednesday and Thursday of the week
after next for the consideration of business
appertaining to territories already organized,
went into Committee of the Whole on the state
of the Union, Mr.. Olds in the Chair,) and
nominally proceeding to the consideration of
the Homestead bill
hour against the proposed tonnage duties sys-
TEN.
Mr.. Ewing also addressed the committee in
favor of the Nebr aska-Kansas bill, arguing
that MIR. Clay was not a supporter of the prin-
ciple of slavery territorial restriction involved
in the enactment of the Missouri Compromise
line. as alleged.
Mr.. Allen, of ILL.,, then obtained the floor
The committee then rose, and the House ad-
journed.
PROCEEDINGS OF TODAY.
SENArE.-After prayer and the reading Of
journal
Several petitions were presented of no pub.
lie interest, except one by Mr. Brodhead, fr, n
the workingmen of Philadelphia, for some
modification Of the revenue laws.
A resolution was then read, authorizing the
President of the Senate, to fill up the vacancy
| in the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian In
stltutlon, consequent upon the resignation of
| the Hon. r. NJ. Charlton.
Mr.. Gwin introduced a bill for the construc
| ton of six steam frigates, and gave notice thai
he should move that the bill be taken up to.
| morrow morning.
Mr.. Stuart reported from the Committee q
| bill! for the extension of the Treasury Building
and for the construction of buildings for the
Army and Navy Departments.
Mr.. Foot moved to take up Is 40 for grant.
| ing public lands in the different States and
Territories for insane persons. There were
according to the last census over 80 600 insane
| persons in the United States, great proper
| ton of whom were destitute and in want OF
| attention only to be obtained at hospitals en-
dowed for that purpose.
The bill would grant ten millions of acres
| OF the public lands to be divided among the
States. The States having public lands al
81 70 per acre are to have their shares in lands
the other States are to have land scrip saleable
at 81 per acre. The money realized for sales
of land or scrip, is to be invested in U. E,
Stocks, the interest of it to be expended upon
| the Hospitals for the Insane He instanceG
| several cases in which appropriations of pub
lie money had been made for charitable and
other benefcent purposes. Special grants
without number had been made for education
for court-h0uses, &C. The whole system o.
annuities, of pensions and bounty lands, wa.
founded upon the same principle, to say no
thing OF the annual appropriations for militar,
purposes. =
He, therefore, asked this grant for class o.
persons who were incapable of asking for it
of this measure, which would confer some sub
stantial good, and alleviate more misery thai
| any other equal appropriation of land for an,
| other purpose. 1t was the only measure b,
which the old States would obtain any benef
from the public domain, and he asked, whether
after the grants accorded to the new States Q
public lands for railroads, they could refus
their sanction to measure, in the benefits Q
which they would likewise participate II
then referred to the excrtions of Miss Dix /
the cause, and paid high eulogium to tia
lady for her efforts, comparing her to som
patron saint and angel of mercy.
HoUsE.-To-day, after the reading of tn
journal, the Speaker announced the FIST busi
ness in order to be the question on the pendin
motion to lay on the table, the bill modifyin
the bounty land, chat Of Mr. Florence.)
Mr.. Warren, who made the adverse repor
on this bill from the Committee on Publ
Lands, explained that the committee's prime
pal objection to it, was the fact that it CAV
equal quantities of land to all alike. -
The motion to lay on the table was the
passed over Informally $780,
Mr.. Preston, by, leave, introduced. a bill fl
the enlargement Of the Louisville and Por
land Canal and to make its navigation FIRE,
referred to the Committee on Roads and Canal
On motion the House then went into q Con
mittee of the Whole on the state of the Unio
Mr.. Odds in the chair,) wherein the HON
stead bill being again nominally under consi,
. Grafton &c
Mr.. J. C. Allen, of Illinois, fddre sed Il
House in favor Of the Nebraska Kan az tor,