The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-06-20

MInneEOlA:
bin TO amend the act approved September ~ 1850 70
create the Office Of surveyor general Of the public lands IN
Oregon &C. and also the act amendaory thereof approved
February TO- 1853 referred 20 the Committee on Pubic
Lands
bill making appropriations 10 defray the expenses Of
the Cayuse referred 70 the Committee on Territories
bill to establish the Offices Of surveyor general Of New
Mexico Kansas and Nebraska TO grant donations TO ae-
tual settlers therein and for other purposes referred 10 the
Committee on Public Lands
bill for the payment of the civil officers employed IN
the Territory Of New Mexico while under military govern
ment referred 70 the Committee on Military Affairs
URBAN sToLL.
On motion by Mr. HAMLIN. the bill for the relief of
Urban Stoll was taken up considered, and passed
On motion by Mr. DOUGLAS, the Senate proceeded to
the consideration of the bill appointing the first Monday in
October instead of the first Monday in December as tho
day for the annual meeting Of Congress.
Mr. HUNTER thought the first of October too soon,
and suggested that il should be changed TO the first of No
yember.
Mr.. DOUGLAS said that that would not equalize the
sessions enough and if Congress should not meet until
the first of November they could not make much progress
with their business before the Christmas holidays whereas
If they should meet the first of October the holidays will
at period Of the session when Interest will be de-
srable without having the effect of retarding the public
business He willing however leave the question
to the decision Of the Senate.
Mr.. HUNTER suggested that October busy month
both with lawyers and farmers and il seemed to him bet
to amend the bill by substituting the first Monday in
November, He therefore made that motion.
MIR. CLAYTON understood the object of the bill TO be to
make the short sessions longer and the long sessions shorter
and he thought this could be done in the best way by
meeting the first Monday in October He therefore OPP
posed the amendment,
Mr.. MASON thought the bill would have the effect Of
poongng the short sessions without abrdging the long
sessions and he preferred to leave the matter ms now
stands He regarded as the theory of government
that the abors of members of Congress not seriously
interfere with their private affairs and it notorious
that while the compensation that they received was not
fair remuneration for their services, that compensation
could not be increased Why then said he should we run
any risk of prolonng the time of services here2 We
all have our occupations and obliged to abandon
them TO very great extent those of who come from
distant States have to abandon them almost altogether
He also alluded to the fact that both houses of Congress
indulge in very proracted debates and it his opinion
that the sessions commenced at an earlier day they
would continue just long they commenced on the
first Of December The fact that great part of the egis
aton of Congress crowded into the last two three
weeks of the short session and he practical good
which would result from their assembling on an earlier
day.
Mr.. DOUGLAS thought that the senator from Virginia
had overlooked another proposition which was intended TO
accompany the bill under consideration and which would
remove his objection to it He had submitted PROPOSE
ton that the adjournment of the long sessions OF Congress
should take place the first Monday in May by joint
rule OF the two houses.
Mr., MASON said that If they had power to limit the
time of adjournment he would make objection to the
bill but he would ask how that could be accomplished
Mr.. DOUGLAS said that it could not be done by law
but could be done by joint rule of the two houses sub
ect to the dsappoval of either house If Congress should
arrange its business in the early part of the session with
view to adourning that time there would be diff
Guilty in adjourning the appointed day, unless there
should be special reasons to prevent it. 1t not
probable that it would be changed by vote of either
house unless of emergency SHOULD arise and in
such the power of remaining in session longer ought
to be exercised The effect of the proposition would be
that the short sessions would be heightened to c months
and the long sessions would last seven months, which
would be less than they average His object was to
shorten the sessions Of Congress and to enable the public
business to be transacted at the time avoiding the
necessity of sitting during the hot weather of the summer
months.
Mr. BAYARD had no doubt OF the capacity Of Congress
TO transact its business in far less time than
pies but he thought that desirable object could only be
attained by fixing annual compensation for the mem
bers instead Of the present per diem. He also advocated
the establishment of tribunal for the consideration Of
claims against the government which, while it would
eye Congress Of vast amount of business would be
eectaa. wey of doing justice to the government
well as 10 the claimants than the present mode
On motion by Mr.. FOOT the further consideration of
the bill was postponed until tomorrow.
The Senate then resumed the consideration of the bill
making grants Of the public lands TO the several States of
the Union for the benefit of INDECENT insane persons.
Mr.. SEWARD addressed the Senate in favor of the bill,
and commented on the veto message of the President
which he regarded desultory Illogical and confused
lie said that while commanding the purpose of the bill,
the President denies the expediency of the measure and
denies also the power Of Congress TO adopt it but that il
impossible to separate the argument directed against
the expediency of the measure from the argument directed
against the So the argument against the exped
ency rests chiefly assumption that the measure is
usurpaon of power while the argument against the power
reposes chiefly the inexpediency of It's exercise He
went to say that the message was if not dsngenuous
snguary unfair and unjust in the statement Of the qucs
ton; and replied 10 its arguments at some length
Mr.. CLAY obtained the floor but gave way to a motion
postpone the further consideration Of the bill until
morrow; which agreed to.
PASSED.
Mr.. BENJAMIN from the Committee Commerce, re-
ported bill to authorize the issue Of register to the brig
Amelia by tine name Of Abby Frances; which read
three times by unanimous consent; and passed.
PENSION AGENTS.
On motion by Mr.. BELL, the Senate proceeded 10 the
consideration Of the bill making provision to compensate
agents for paying pensions and prescribing the time and
manner of settling their accounts.
After debate, the further consideration of the bill
postponed and the Senate proceeded to the consider
alton of executive business and after time adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The House met az y o'clock, m
Prayer by The ohnpain Of the House.