Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-06-14
CONGRESS-.
rHtaTy-THiaD coNaREss---Frasr SESSION

OOINuiltLJo.
THrRTy-THiRD CONG REss--FTRsT SESSION
Senate, Wednesday, June IA, 1854
Mr. Clayton made u personal explanation in
relation to an article in the Union newspaper
of this morning, charging him with inconsist-
ency in his recent action upon the Nebraska
bill, in voting against allowing aliens to vote
in the Territories He defended his action, and
commended that it had been uniform.
Mr.. Douglas offered n resolution making q
joint rule, that, until otherwise ordered, the
first session of each future Congress- shall ter
minato on the frat Monday Of May following
its commencement.
Mr.. Gwin, from the Committee on Naval
Affairs, reported a joint resolution, giving the
consent Of Congress to the acceptance, by 1t.
NJ. F. Maury, of the gold medal rendered him
by the King Of Sweden
The resolution was read twice, and postponed
till to morrow.
The bill regulating the pay Of Deputy Post
masters, which had been returned from the
House with sundry amendments, was taken up,
the amendments concurred in, and the bill
passed
Mr.. Walker said he was authorized to say,
by several friends Of the Homestead bill, that
next week they would insist upon having that
bill taken up, and made the special order Of
the day, until finally disposed Of They would
also endeavor to have the vetoed land bill dis
posed of during the present week.
On motion the House resolution fixing the
14th of August for the adjournment of Con.
gress, was taken up.
Mr.. Gwin moved an amendment, to strike
out the oath Of August and insert afrom
Monday, the 18th Of July to Monday, the 10th
of October
Messrs. Hunter, Rusk, Houston, and Walker,
opposed the amendment, and Mes-rs. Tocmbs,
Badger, Pratt, and Dawson, supported it.
The amendment was then concurred in
yeas 81, nays l6.
Mr.. Walker moved that the resolution be
postponed till Monday next. Lost-yeas Is,
nays 80.
Mr.. Stuart moved that the resolution be laid
on the table Lost-yeas Is, nays &C.
The resolution, AZ amended, was then adopt
ed-yeas 25, nays l6.
Mr.. Houston moved to take mp the resolution,
providing that hereafter the daily hour Of meet
ing of the Senate shall be Il O'Clock, A. M.
The resolution was taken up-yeas 25, nays
10
Messrs. Clayton, Badger, and Pearce opposed
the resolution, and Messrs. Houston and Pratt
supported it.
The resolution was then rejected-yeas 20,
nays 90.
The Senate then proceeded to the considera-
ton Of Executive business and shortly after
adjourned.
House Of Representatives., June IA, 1854
The Speaker laid before the House CON-
munication from its Clerk, transmitting an
estimate of its expenses for the year 1855
which was referred to the Committee Of Ways
and Means.
MIR Orr said that, az the debate on the Civil
and Diplomatic Appropriation bill would ter
inmate tomorrow, and as several gentlemen
had prepared speeches, he would move that
the House should 90 into Committee OF the
Whole; which motion prevailed, and Mr.. Orr
was called to the chair.
Mr.. Brooks, Of South Carolina arose, and
raid that he was aware that in no place in this
country were speeches listened to with less Mt
tention, and in no place did they produce less
influence, than in this hall But, as he did not
regard the action Of the House yesterday az
postponing the consideration Of the merits e
the Pacific Railroad bill, he would address the
House on that subject and If he could succeed
in retaining the attention Of the House, he
would not again desire TO occupy its time and
attention during the present session.
He had much admiration for the young and
beautiful State of California whose peo-
pie had proved Themselves a. pure AZ its staple
metal and he regretted that he could not con-
scientiously give his support to a measure de-
sired BY them.
The Pacific Railroad bill he said, was vague
in its provisions, and appeared to confer priv-
leges, powers and gratuiticr, upon some char
tered company or companies. He opposed the
beslowment Of such benefits, and he opposed
tho whole purpose in view, n partial and re-
stricted, rs mode f disposng OF the public
lands not authorized by the Constitution as
contrary to the usage Of the nation and TO the
principles Of equity.
MIR. Singleton, of Mississippi, followed, and
spoke OF our relations with Spain. He avcrred
that our Government had evInccd too tame u
spirit toward her; that we had never been
wanting in rectitude Of conduct, in our obscrv
ancc of tho requirements Of the laws Of nationS,
nor in the courtesy OF our intercourse with her.
He reviewed the history Of few years past
and affirmed that so far from having acted in
hostility toward Spain, in the matter of Cuban
affairs especially, we had acted with magan
unity. Mr.. Fillmore had, indeed, manifested
q spirit Of suhservlency in the matter Of the
Lopez invasion, overriding all that justice or
constitutional power could sanction.
He rccited the kidnapping case at New Or
leans in 1885, the execution Of Lopeas men,
which he declared TO be in violation Of the
stipulations Of treaties between the two Gov
ernmonts; and many other cases OF alleged
outrage and injustice.
Mr.. Singleton was in favor Of an immediate
demand upon Spain for reparation for all these
outrages, for guarantees for the future, and
convenient tribunal for the decision of misun
derstandines. He would urge this demand in
an Efficient manner, and, should il not be accc
ded 10, he would blockade the ports Of Cuba,
and take possession Of that Island.
He believed that he spoke the sentiments OF
the entire South, If not the whole country upon
this subject.
Mr. Latham followed, and spoke Of the in
PRODUCTION Of exciting resolutions in this Hall,
while peace and prosperity appeared TO abound
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