Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-03-22
Conarfssianal.
THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
n senate--Tuesday, March 81, 1884.
FIRST SESSION


FIRST SESSION.
In senate--Tuesday, March 81, 1854.
Mr. FISH presented the memorial of the cham
Der of commerce Of New York, representing the
impaired state Of the merchant service arising
from the scarcity OF American seamen, and asking
the establishment Of naval schools in the principal
! ports OF the United States. Referred TO the Com
lnIttee on Commerce.
Mr. FISH also presented the memorial Of the
Society OF Universal Democratic Republicanism,
| praying the interposton by the United States in
behalf of Frederick Wieckel, Imprisoned by the
AUTHORITIES OF Saxony and Bremen.
STATE RESOLUTIONS.
|, Mr. SHIELDS presented the resolutions Of the
legislature of Illinois in favor of grant of land TO
aid IN the construction Of ship.canal around the
falls Of Niagara.
Also, in favor Of repealng the tariff duty on
sugar. molasses, and railroad iron, and placing
! those imports on the free hist.
| Also, in favor Of grants OF land to aid in the
construction ola railroad from the west shore Of
Lake Michigan 10 the mineral region of Lake SUI
| peror.
"Reminiscences against The Nebraska bill! were
! presented by Messrs SEWARD and SUMNER
INTERNATIONAL COINAGE.
! Mr.. PRATT presented the memorial of the
| Maryland institute, for the promotion Of the me-
| chanica arts, and OF the American Philosophical
, they have understood that Great Britain IS about
4 TO change her coinage, and adopt the decimal in
stead OF the present system and they recommend
! that Tue two countries adopt some uniform sys-
| TEN by which the coinage OF the two nations may
! be used commonly in either country.
i PRIVATE BILLS.
| Mr.. CLAY reported a bill for the relief OF Sam
uel K. Rayburn; and the same was considered
and passed.
On mo,onb by Mr.. JOHNSON, the Senate pro-
ceeded the consideration of the bill for the re-
lief of the heirs and representatives of the late
| Colonel Alexander g. Morgan and the same was
considered and passed
EXTRA PRINTING.
On motion by Mr.. BRODHEAD,
Resoe That there be printed five thousand additional
copies OF the report from the Treasury Department
March 1854 in reply to the resolution of the Senate
April 4, $685. respecting federal State, municipal and
corporation securities held abroad thousand of which
shall be for the use Of the Treasury Department
THE MAILS IN ALABAMA.
On motion by Mr.. FITZPATRICK the Senate
proceeded 10 the consideration of the Joint resou
ton 10 continue certain existing contracts for car
| rying the mails in Alabama; and the same was
passed.
APPOINTMENTS TO WEST POINT.
| The House joint resolution explanatory of the
law regulating the number of cadets TO be APP
| pointed to the military academy at West Point was
! read twice.
! Mr.. SHIELDS explained it. and recommended
| that II be put on It's passage al once.
Mr.. BADGER said that he thought the resolu-
ton ought 10 be referred. He had thought for
some time that the laws regulating the appoint
ment Of cadets ought to be amended as to give
! Senators as well as members Of the House the
| right Of recommending candidates
/ Mr.. SHIELDS said he had a bill which he would
probably call up to-day. which provided for that.
4 This resolution provided that cadets might be APP
! list an
unless it were passed, those districts could make
no appointments :
| Alter some further remarks, the resolution was
| referred. ,..
BIDS FOR NAVAL CONTRACTS.
The joint resolution from the House relative to
| bids for supplying provisions, clothing and small
stores for the use OF the navy, was read twice.
| Mr.. GWlN urged that il be put on its passage
Messrs. FISH and SHIELDS advocated a
reference of the resolutions and on motion il was
referred to the COMMITTEES on Naval Affairs
BILLS INTRODUCED.
Mr.. HUNTER, on leave, introduced bill to
reduce and graduate the price of public lands, and
| for other purposes.
! Also bill to provide for the sale Of certain
public lands to the States in which they lie. for the
I purpose demonstrating railroads and canals.
Mr.. GEYER introduced bill supplementary
to an act confirming claims to land in the State of
Missouri and for other purposes.
! PAY OF THE ARMY.
! On motion by Mr.. SHIELDS, the Senate pro-
ceeded 10 consider the bill to regulate the pay and
and increase The efficiency Of the army and for
other purposes.
The ninth section Of the bill gives TO senator's
the same power of nominating cadets TO West
Point which is now held by members OF the House
! of Representatives.
| Mr. CASS thought the effect Of this amend
menl would be 10 increase the number Of appoint
nen's annually. He thought the present mode Of
appointing would afford sufficient supply OF Off
GERS for the wants Of the army. This bill pro-
| vided, as he glad TO see. for the promotion Of
non-com missioned officers 10 places as supernu-
merary lenenants, and If the number Of cadets
| was increased, the probability the number of
! supernumerary officers would be very large.
| Mr. SHIELDS said the number of officers sup
! piled by an increase Of cadets would not be more
than would be required by the army, if the bill
already passed by the Senate for the retirement Of
the disabled and superannuated officers became
| law.
Mr. CASS said that he understood the number
of officers now furnished by West Point was sixty
annually, and he thought the number quite sufil-
cient.
Mr. PETIT moved to strike out the ninth Sec
| ton. ..., II
Mr. DODGE of Iowa, earnestly supported the
motion. He thought the patronage of making
these appointments was now in the proper hands.
He did not wish TO bring it TO the Senate.
| Messrs. BUTLER, SHIELDS, RUSK, and Sc
| WAhD opposed the lnottOn 10 strlke out; anu
then, on motion by Mr.. Mason, the bill. was post
poned and the Senate proceeded 10 the consid-
Grafton Of Executive business
And, at d late hour,
The Senate adjourned.
House Of Representatives.
The SPEAKER laid before the House mes.
sage from the President Of the United States.
transmitting report Of the Secretary Of the In.
terror in relation 10 the public lands.
Also communication from the Treasury De-
payment, transmitting estimates for The cost of
| L.