Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-07-24
CONGRESS.
rHlRrY-rHIaD coNGREss--yIRsr SESSION.

THlRTY-THIRD CoNGREss--FIRsT SESSION.
Senate, Monday, July "a, 1854.
Mr. Petit asked and obtained leave to make
an explanation Of matter personal to him.
SELF He read a letter recently written by COL
Benton to an editor in Indiana, in which Mr.
Petit was spoken of as a great liar and dirty
dog.
He said that if he could not show that Col.
Benton was either o wicked and malicious
falsifier of truth, or an imbccile dotard, he
would be willing to bear the epithets which
had been applied to him.
Mr.. Mason called the Senator to order for
thus speaking Of member Of the House.
Mr.. Petit said be did not intend to refer to
Col. Benton as o member Of the House, or any
act of his as o member.
The Chair decided that it was not in order
to reflect upon member of the other House,
us such.
Mr.. Petit resumed. He said that, on his re-
cent visit to Indiana, no had discovered large
number Of Bent0n's speeches on the Nebraska
bill had been circulated there and that many
Of those who had formerly denounced Benton
as thief, for stealing money and secreting it
in his cravat in North Carolina and as the
cold blooded murderer of Lucas, were now
most lavish in their praise of that speech. He
had undertaken to show, therefore, that the
first violation Of the Missouri Compromise was
Benton's proposition to annex the Platte coun-
try to Missouri
he then discussed that matter, and said that,
ia view of the circumstances the letter would
not be creditable to lunatic in an asylum, or
the greatest felon in his cell.
He commented on Benton version Of how
that measure was obtained by the aid Of North
Yofo ox,I ca.1 IL ~
account, no had approached Northern men
like q thief in the night, and with the guile of
the serpent in his heart and on his tongue.
The Chair called him to order. Such TO-
marks were not in order.
After some debate on the point Of order,
Mr.. Johnson moved that the Senator be al
lowed to proceed, the Chair having ruled him
to be out Of order.
And the mo.i9n was disagreed to--ayes II,
noes 90
Mr.. Dawson moved that the Senator be al
lowed to proceed in order; and the motion was
agreed to.
Mr.. Petit resumed his remarks, and further
severely denounced Col. Benton and his letter;
the latter he styled as beastly, and the author
OF it falsifer Of truth, or one on whose brain
Providence had sent its severest Affections.
Mr.. Sumner presented the memorial Of
Charles Mckenzie, British subject, praying
that the large fees charged to foreign patentees
be abolished
Mr.. Mason objected to the memorial, on the
ground that foreigner could not address this
Government through the Legislative Depart
nlent. SO the memorial was not received.
The Senate resumed the consideration Of
the Civil and Diplomatic Appropriation bill.
The first amendment pending was on the
appropriation OF $500, 900 for the continuation
OF the Washington water works.
Dir. Slidell moved an amendment providing
that the corporations Of Washington and
Georgetown shall contribute, concurrently with
the United States, one third Of the cost of the
work; and giving them power TO raise the
money therefor by loan or otherwise and also
providing that the conduit shall be reduced to
seven feet instead Of nine, as at present con-
templated.
Mr.. Hunter said he would, If that was voted
down, offer the same provision, but reducing
the contribution Of the cities to one-fourth the
cost.
Afscr long debate the amendment Of Mr..
Slidell was rejected--yeas 20, nays 80.
Mr.. Hunter moved the Same amendment,
but with the city contribution reduced to one
fourth, and leaving the aqueduct Of its original
dimensions.
The debate was renewed.
House Of Representatives., July "a, 1854.
The Speaker announced the first business in
order to DO the consideration Of the motion to
discharge the Committee Of the Whole from
the further consideration Of the bill granting
the right Of way and donation of public lands
in aid of the Coosa and Tennessee railroad, in
Alabama, with an amendment, as reported by
Mr.. Cobb, from the Committee on Public
Lands.
Mr.. Davis, Of Indiana, by consent, reported,
from the Committee on the District of Column
bia, the Senate bill TO charter the Proprietors
Of the Glenwood Cemetery, with an amendment
making each stockholder liable for tho debts
Of the company. The amendment was agreed
10, and the bill was passed.
The Committee of the Whole was, on motion
Of MIR. Houston, discharged from tho further
consideration of the private bills (ninety-two
in number) which we're approved in Commit
tee Of the Whole on Saturday last, and not
reported, because of the want Of quorum;
and these bills were severally finally acted
upon by the House.
The question then REQUIRED on Mr.. Cobb's
motion respecting railroad in Alabama;
when
Mr.. Washburne, Of Illinois arose to priv
legged question. He avsrred that the House
bill No. 342, donating lands TO Minnesota TO
aid In the construction Of q railroad in that