Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-02-01
CONGRESS-.
rnrRrY THIRD coseRsss--rlasr SESSION.
Senate. Februayv /. 1854.


Senate, February |, 1854.
Mr. Summer presented the petition Of large
number Of citzans Of Lancaster, Pennsy lvania,
praying that Congress would prevent the in
PRODUCTION Of Slavery into Territory now free,
or in any Territory situated north Of SO deg.
80 min He said, as the Nebraska bill was
now before the Senate, he would not move the
reference Of the memorial, but request that it
be laid on the table.
Mr. Slidell submitted q resolution directing
the Committee on the Judiciary to inquire into
the expediency Of amending the rules Of the
Senate, by removing the injunction Of secresy
upon the final action Of the Senate upon all
nominations, retaining that seoresy upon all
remarks or debate by Senator'S on such nomi-
nations.
He said that experience had shown that the
injunction upon the final action Of the Senate
was inefficient Results always became known,
and there was no reason for continuing the
rule.
Mr. Clayton said that he did not understand
that there was anything in the present rule
prohibiting Senators from stating the fact
whether nomination had been rejected or
confirmed.
Mr. Badger suggested that the resolution be
amended so as to II quire the COMMITTEES to in
quire whether the rulo required any amend
ment and if So what.
The resolution was modified in accordance
with this suggestion, and after some debate, it
was adopted
Mr.. Brodhead submitted resolution, direct
ing the Committee on Military Affairs to in
quire into the expediency of making an appro.
priation for national foundry in the State Of
Pennsylvania; which was agreed to.
Mr.. Norris, from the Committee on the Dis
trict of Columbia, reported back the petition of
Holladay Company, asking for a lease of the
public grounds in Washington as site for the
construction of q hotel, and asked to be dis
chargedtrom the further consideration thereof
The Senate then proceeded to the c0nsidera-
ton Of the resolution declaring that the Hon.
5. 3 Phelps is entitled to hold his seat in the
Senate, as Senator from Vermont
Mr.. Williams addressed the Senate in sup
port of the resolution, contending that the only
limitation on the Executive appointment was
that it should be made before the meeting of
the Legislature next following the happening
OF the vacancy.
Mr.. Bayard supported the views of the mi
nority, contending that the true construction
of the Constitution was, that the Executive
appointments could only continue till the next
meeting Of the Legislature
MIR. b was speaking when our report closed
House Of Representatives, FEB. 1854.
The annual report Of the Commissioner of
Patents was presented, and referred to the
Committee on Patents, with Instructions on
motion of MIR. Taylor, Of Ohio, to inquire into
the propriety Of printing 100, 900 extra copies
MIR. Jones, Of New York moved reconsid-
Grafton OF the vote by which Mr.. Olds's bill in
relation to carrying the mails on railroads
Applying to the Erie dificultiesl was referred
yesterday to the Committee Of the Whole
MIR. Odds stated that news had been receiv-
ed, since yesterday, Of events rendering prompt
action necessary.
Mr.. y. read a statement from New York
paper, to the effect that papers had been re-
ceived at Detroit via Canada twenty four hours
in advance Of the mails and he said that pc
titions we're coming from the West, to establish
permanent mail routes through that channel
MIR. Jones, Of Tennessee, asked the gentle
man il he could not compel the prompt trans.
mission Of the mails between New York and
Washington, as well as through Erie, by means
OF bill imposing penalties
Mr.. Richie, OF Pennsy lvania, said tho bill
was very long, and could not now be read ;
that it would be found unconstitutional in some
OF its particulars Ii was but covert means
Of getting at the Erie parties.
lie defended the conduct Of the people of
Erie, who were but protecting their rights
The Pennsylvania and United States courts
had decided the road destroyed yesterday to
be fraud. II was west Of Erie, and made
without authority Of lava usurpation to
which the people would not and ought not TO
submit.
Mr.. Campbell Of Ohio, said he had recently
attended meeting Mt Cincinnati, where were
represented the commercial and other interests
Of that city. No agtating resolves were there
made; but the distractions to the mails were
spoken Of as being severely felt He had, ON
his return to this House, submitted resolution
Of inquiry, which was opposed by members
from Pennsylvania and from South Carolina,
on State-right grounds.
Mr.. C. said Pennsylvania was putting her.
self in q false position on this subject The
Wheeling bridge case afforded a precedent
worthy Of attention. II had been preserved by
means of the power in the United States Gov.
eminent, now denied by Representatives from
these two States. The mail route should be
protected by the same authority that protcctsa
custom. house
Mr.. Stranb asked what the Ohio Legislature
had decided, with respect to this subject
Mr.. Campbell said no knew but little, and
had but little respect for what that Legislature
might do II had lately done much that was
wrong
Mr. Straub said he was not hero Yesterday
when the bill was presented He wished to
know, il the bill should pass whether a person
guilty Of burning down q bridge might not
be tried twice for the offence, once by the State
and once by the General Government
Mr.. Campbell said the gentlemans absence
was HIS own affair. There was nothing in the
bill violative Of the Constitution. lf tho poo.
plsa Erie were acting legally, they would
not be punished at oil.