Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-12-15
beings In Congress.
WARRINGTON, Dec, Q.


order by the Secretary At fifteen min
utes 10 one o'clock.
Mr.. Jones, Of Iowa. offered n res.
olution that the Senate proceed
forthwith 10 the election Of President
pro tempore. and after some debate the
resolution was adopted.
The first ballot resulted rs follws;
Bright, "a. Dawson, Q; Chase, G:
Foot. 2, and Badger, 1, upon which
Mr.. Bright was declared elected and
accordingly took the chair.
Mr.. Phillips offered resolution in.
structing the committee on Ways and
Means. to bring in bill reducing tho
duty on railway iron, or TO allow an
extended credit on the same. Jones,
Of Tennessee. moved TO lay the motion
on the table. which WAS carried, Yeas
81. Nays 10.
Mr.. Seward offered resolution for
the election OF Chaplin, which was laid
over.
Mr.. Dodge gave notice of bill to
continue the improvements on the
Des Moins River Rapids.
Mr.. Cass gave notice Of a bill Tor the
construction Of q channel across the
Straits Flats, in Michigan
On motion Of Mr.. Seward, the CON-
millcc on the Pici6c Railway was con-
tinued.
The appointment OF ten clerks. for
the standing committees, was author
:zed.-Adjourned.
The Speaker announced that the
standing committees would be the same
as the last, with the exception OF fill
ing vacancies.
The Colt Patent select committee
appointed last session was continued.
Mr.. Latham introduced bill, ex-
tending the time for the California
Land Commissioners to complete their
duties.
Mr.. Taylor, of Tennessee, gave no.
tice Of bill, altering the naturaliza-
ton law.
MIR. Fellows gave notice Of a bill to
prev ent the enlistment Of foreigners in
the army and navy and to prevent the
emigration Of paupers and convicts
from other countries. The same CERT
leman introduced resolution, calling
for information in regard TO the object
Of the conference of Amesicsn minis
sters at Ostend. He made some re-
marks in favor Of the passage Of the
resolution, stating that his object was
to obtain sumo light on::this mysterious
meeting Of onr representative abroad.
MIR. Bayleys spoke in justification of
the unsettled state.of affairs in Europe,
and said he would suppose the Presi-
dents message ought to disarm the
gentleman in regard to his distrust Of
the foreign policy of the administra-
ton.
Mr.. Wentworth followed in the
same strain, and in approval of the
message and the foreign policy Of the
Administration.
Mr,.Gay advocated the passage Of
tho resolution, and said it was merely
an inquiry. and did not require that the
information shonld be communicated
if il was deemed injurious to the public
interest.
Messrs. Washburn and Hyllyer sd-
vocated the resolution.
Mr.. Phillips opposed il.
Mr.. Bayley took grounds in its "a
vor.
Mr.. Letcher said he would vote for
it, and would like it better if more had
been added to it. He said he distrus-
ted our Minister to Madrid, and was
willing that Mr.. Soule should have an
opportunity to vindicate his character:
if he was innocent or guilty; ether
should be known TO the country.
Mr.. Taylor, ofOhio said he was glad
the resolution was introduced, and ex
pressed the opinion that no man OF
foreign birth ought to represent this
country abroad.
After some further debate. a motion
to refer the resolution to the committee
on Foreign Affairs waslost. yeas 80,
nays 81, and pending the question on
tho passage oflhe resolution, the House
adjourned.
DrcrnBfR eth..
The chair laid before the Senate re.
ports from the Treasury Department,
I Mr.. Adams, introduced bill es.