The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-01-12
CONGRESS-.
erlHrarY-rHIRD coNGREss-rrRsr SESSION

TlHIRTY-THIRD CoNGREss-FIRsT SESSION
Senate, January 3, 1854.
Messrs Butler, Houston, and Geyer, appeared
to-day
Mr.. Seward said he desired to call the at.
| tentaon of the Senate to question of privilege
He said Senators must have seen, during the
past week, q gentleman from the State of YER
ment occupying q scat in the Senate While ii
would afford the greatest pleasure to them all
to Gave that gentleman in the Senate KS a rep
resentatiye from Vermont, still there was con-
neeted with it question of his right to do So
Inc circumstances we're known TO all and were
! sefseshat peculiar; indeed, it was said they
werp new and singular The facts were under
st'ET as follows: During the recess Of the
Legislature of Vermont the Hon. S. 6 Phelps
was appointed by the Governor Of that State,
Go I'll the vacancy occssioned by the death OF
Nh Upham, who belonged to that class Of Sem
i1ioFs whose terms expire on the 4sh of March,
1856. Under this appointment Mr.. Phelps ap.
peared ct the last session Of the Senate, aud
was sworn as q Senator from Vermont to fill
the vacancy. Since that time, il is understood
that the Legislature of Vermont have been in
session, and have adjourned sine die without
fiilsg the vacancy. The question now is,
whether MIR. Phelps, under these circumstan-
temporary appointment Of the Governor After
consultation with Senator'S and with the gen.
tlo9an himself, and as the queetion had to be
raised by some one, it was determined that it
should be done by him, Mr.. S
He offered a resolution, reciting the facts Of
the case, and concluding with declaration
that the Hon s. s. Phelps is entitled to retain
his seat as a Senator from Vermont He moved
that the resolution beFeferred to the Commit
tee On the Judiciary
Tne resolution was laid over
Mr. Seward and Mr.. Petit each presented
numerous petitions, praying that the Govern
ment would extend It's aid to the construction
of a chip canal around the Falls of Niagara.
Referred to the Committee On Commerce.
Mr. Seward presented the memorial of
Joseph L. Smith, prayiu that Congress would
direct that the public documents printed by
order of Congress- be distributed among the
several common schools in the United States
Mr. Bright gave notice of bill to establish
board of accounts for the examination Of all
claims against thu Government of the United
States
MIR Brodhead introduced bill to prohibit
| the counterfeiting of the coin of the United
States, and to punish the passing Of counter
felt coin Referred to the Committee on the
! Judiciary.
On motion by Mr. Fitzpatrick, the Senate
proceeded to the consideration of the bill for
the relief of the legal representatives Of Joshua
Kennedy, deceased; and it was read third
time and passed
On motion by Mr. Petit, the bill for the re-
lief Of Victor Morass was taken up and passed.
On motion by Mr.. Chase, tie Senate proceed
ed to the consideration of the motion to recon
slider the vote by which the bill for the rebel
of The legal representatives of Major Caleb
Sw.p, deceased, was passed The vote was
reconsidered, and the bill, being slightly amend
cd, was then read a third time and passed
Mr. Gwin introduced bill granting land to
the State of California to aid in the construc-
| ton Of q railroad therein between San Fran
cisco, San Jose, Benicia, and other places in
that State.
Mr. Weller introduced bill to provide for
the transportation of the United States mail in
steamships between San Francisco, uia the
Sandwich Islands, to China. Referred to the
Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads.
Ga motion by Mr. Chase the Senate pro.
ceeded to consider the bill to divide the State
of Ohio into two Judicial Districts
MIR Chase said he was not aware that there
had been any recent action en- the subject by
the Legislature nor did he know what the
action of the Legislature had been, if any. He
pointed out the great necessity Tor division OF
the State into two Judicial Districts, and the
great trouble and injury caused by the diff
culties in getting witnesses from distant parts
of the State TO the one pla,e in the interior
where the court was now held. recent case
had demonstrated the necessity for this dyi.
sion This bill met the approval of both Sen
ators from OHIO, and also of a majority Of the
da1a,at;On f-orn th.r StaEa In tho HOuee
After some further debate, the motion to re-
fer WAS agreed 20.
Mr. Shields introduced bill 10 divide the
State of Illinois into two judicial districts !;
which was referred to the Committee on the
Judiciary.
Mr.. Jones' Of Tennessee, submitted reso-
luton of inquiry relating to a change IN the
plan Of the Capitol extension.
The bill TO suppress the circulation of small
notes in the District Of Columbia was taken
up and amended, so as to allow it to go into
effect On the first of November next; read a
third time and passed
Mr. Fish introduced bill to authorize the
business of banking in the District of Column
bia, and regulate the issuing and circulation
OF notes as money.
A message was received from the President
Of the United States, ansmitting IN reply to
resolution of the Senate, certain correspond
ence relating to the British ProtectOrate at the
Mosquito coast and other matters relating to
the treaty OF Washington clayton and Bull
wer treaty. Of 1880
Mr.. Cass gave notice that when the papers
were printed he would add ess the Senate on
the subjects referred to by them
After an Executive session, the Senate adj
journed.
House Of Representatives., Jan. 3, 1854.
There was full attendance of members
this morning.
At 10 O'Clock the Speaker called the House
to order. After prayer by the Chaplain of the
Senate, and the reading of the Journal,
The Speaker called upon the committees for
reports, when
Mr.. Aiken, FROM the Committee On Com
rnerce, reported a bill to change the name of
the American built brig John Duncan, which
was read threa times and passed.
Several private bills were presented and re-
ferred.
Mr. Bissell, from the Committee on Military
Affairs reported back the joint resolution of
thanks to Majr General Wool and asked
that it be put on its passage, which was
agreed TO.
Whereupon, Mr.. Giddipgs opposed the bill,
on Inc ground tnat many ohoero GU ooioicio
merited such commentator; that injustice
would be done by the distinction conferred
and that the precedent would be injurious.
Mr.. Bissell replied by affirming the cause of
Mr. Giddingss opposition to be, that General
Wool had gailantly served his whole country
The precedent had been established in the case
of other officers, and Gen. Wool had heretofore
been sighted. He had served under General
Wool and knew his worth. He concluded by
moving the previous question, which prevailed,
when the resolution was read three times and
passed.