Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-01-03
CONGRESS-.
TnlRrY.THIRD coNGREss-FIRsr SESSION

CONGkESS.
THlRrYTHIRD coNGREss-FIRsr SESSION.
Senate, January 8, 1854.
Me srs. Butler, Houston, and Geyer, appeared
to-day,
QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE.
Mr.. Seward said he desired to call the at
tention OF the Senate to question Of privilege.
He said Senators must have seen, during the
past week, gentleman from the State Of YER
mont occupying a scat in the Senate. While it
would afford the greatest pleasure to them all
to have that gentleman in the Senate as rep
resentative from Vermont, still there was con-
nected with il q question of his right to do 30.
The circumstances were known to all and were
somewhat peculiar indeed, it was said they
were new and singular. The facts were under
stood rs follows During the recess Of the
Legislature Of Vermont, the Hon. S. s. Phelps
was appointed by the Governor of that State,
to till the vacancy occasioned by the death Of
MIR. Upham, who belonged to that class Of Sen.
ators whose terms expire on the 4th of March,
1855 Under this appointment Mr.. Phelps ap.
peared at the last session Of the Senate, and
was sworn as a Senator from Vermont to fill
the vacancy. Since that time, it is understood
that the Legislature of Vermont have been in
session, and have adjourned sine die without
+
whether Mr.. Phelps, under these crcumstan-
ces, is entitled to fill the vacancy under tho
temporary appointment Of the Governor After
consultation with Senators and with the gon-
tleman himself and as the queetion had to be
raised by some one, it was determined that it
should be done by him, (Mr. 81
he offered resolution, reciting the facts Of
the case, and concluding with declaration
that the Hon. y 5. Phelps is entitled to retain
his seat As Senator from Vermont. He moved
that the resolution be referred to the Commit
tee ON the Judiciary.
The resolution was laid over
SHIP CANAL AROUND THE FALLS OF
NIAGARA
Mr.. Seward and Mr.. Petit each presented
numerous petitions, praying that the Govern
ment would extend its aid to the construction
Of ship canal around the Falls Of Niagara.
Referred to the Committee on Commerce
DOCUMENTS FOR SCHOOLS.
Mr.. Seward presented the memorial Of
Joseph L. Smith, praying 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 a bill to establish
board of accounts for the examination of all
claims against the Government Of the United
States.
COUNTERFEIT COIN
Mr. Brodhead introduced a 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,
PRIVATE BILLS PASSED.
| 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, the Senate proceed
ed TO the consideration Of the motion to recon
slider the vote by which the bill for the relief
| OF the legal representatives of Major Caleb
Swan, deceased, was passed. The vote was
reoonsidered, and the bill, being slightly amend
ed, was then read q third time and passed
RAILROADS IN CALIFORNIA.
| Mr.. Gwin introduced bill granting land to
the State OF California, to aid in the construc-
| ton of a railroad therein between San Fran
CISCO, San Jose, Benicia, and other places in
that State.
STEAMERS TO CHINA.
Mr.. Weller introduced bill TO provide for
the transportation of the United States mail in
steamships between San Francisco, yia the
Sandwich Islands, to China. Referred to the
Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads
JUDICIAL DISTRICTS IN OHIO
On motion by Mr.. Chase, the Senate pro.
cccded 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 on tho subject by
tho Legislature; nor did he know what the
action of the Legislature had been, if any. He
pointed out the great necessity for 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 place in the interior
where the court was now held recent case
had demonstrated the necessity for this divi
sion. This bill met the approval Of both SEN
ators from Ohio, and also of a majority of tho
delegation from that State in the House.
After some further debate, the motion TO re.
fer was agreed to.
Mr.. Shields introduced bill TO divide tho
State Of Illinois into two judicial districts
which was referred TO the Committee on the
Judiciary.
EXTENSION OF CAPITOL.
Mr.. Jones' Of Tennessee, submitted a reso-
luton Of inquiry relating to change In the
plan Of the Capitol extension.
SMALL NOTES IN THE DISTRICT OF CO.
LUMBIA.
The bill to suppress the circulation Of small
notes in the District Of Columbia was taken
up and amended, so as to allow il to 90 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 Colum-
bia and regulate the Issuing and circulation
OF notes as money.
CENTRAL AMERICA.
A message was. received from the President
Of the United States, transmitting, in reply TO
resolution Of the Senate certain correspond
eDce relating to the British Protectorate at the
Mosquito coast and other matters relating to
the treaty Of Washington Clayton and Bull
wer treaty. Of 1850.