Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-07-31

Sur1hAhSr-fAnci Shs0iVF'
In the House Of Representatives, on Satur-
day,
mail service was passed.
Senate, Monday, July 81. 1854.
The reading Of the journal was dispensed
with
Mr. Mason moved that the Senate proceed
to the consideration of Executive business.
Pending the motion, the following business
took place
On motion by Mr.. Cooper, the printing Of
| 1900 copies of the fourth meteorological re-
port Of Professor Espey was ordered.
Mr. Foot, from the Committee on Pensions,
reported resolution directing the payment to
Charles Gordon, for services performed In 1889
and 1910, AS draughtsman to the Committee
on Public Lands. Laid over.
The resolution of Mr.. Evans, modifying the
rates Of allowance to committee clerks, by pay
ing them only from the time Of their employ
ment, was taken up and adopted
Mr.. Rusk reported back the House bill mod
| flying tho rates of postage; which was read
through, and was then postponed till to-mor-
row.
Mr.. Houston moved tina. when the Senate
adjourn to-day, it be TO meet OF half past 0
o'clock tomorrow He said he desired q half
Lour to make some personal explanation. Ii
/ would not interfere With the business OF the
Senate, for Senators need not leave their COM
mitteo rooms till the regular hour. The re-
porters would be present and that is all he de-
sired.
The motion was agreed to.
MIR. Summer, from the Committee on Pen
sions reported back House resolution directing
the settlement of the accounts of William
| Woodbury., late pension agent of the United
| States at Portland, Maine; and the same was
considered and passed.
The question was then taken on Mr. Mason's
motion, and decided in the nagative--yeas 10,
nays 81.
Mr.. Seward, from the Committee On PEN
sions, reported back House bill granting pen
sion to Betsey Nash, of Madison county, New
/ York. He explained that the beneficiary OF
the bill was ON infrm aged lady, and who
4 would not in ell probability be living at the
next meeting of Congress He moved that the
bill be now considered Agreed to, and the
| bill was read
/ Mr.. Adams moved to amend the bill by
adding thereto the bill appropriating $4,000
| for the benefit of the widow OF James Batchel-
der, killed in Boston while aiding the United
States marshal in the execution of the Fugi-
/ tive Slave Act.
4 Mr.. Foot called for tho reading Of the report
In the case of Mrs. Nash
Mr.. Sumner called for the reading of the
reports Of the majority and minority of the
Committee on Pensions in the case OF Batch
elder. The several reports were read
Mr.. Seward stated the shortness of the time
left of this session, and the delay which would
occur in the public business in both Houses, by
the discussion of this measure. 1t could not be
passed at this session. and the only effect Of
pressing this amendment in this shape would
be the defeat Of both propositions
The law which this man was engaged in
executing, when killed, was one, tho constitu-
tonalty of which was much doubted. 1T was
affirmed by the Supreme Court of Massachu-
sets, and denied by that Of Wisconsin He
agreed with the court of Wisconsin. He ear
nestly opposed granting pensions 10 cases
arising in the civil service of tho United States.
Mr. Weller appealed to the Senator from
Mississippi to withdraw the amendment
Mr.. Clay defended the report of the majority
of the committee, and denounced that made by
Messrs Sumner and Seward and, in doing so,
ueed language for which he was called to
order.
Mr. Cas- said he was unwilling to hazard
the River and Harbor BILL by Discussing any
other measure. Bat at proper time, he
would vote for the bill This man fell in the
hottest GAUGE, in defending the Constitution Of
the United States from a ruthless and violent
assault
Mr.. Wade hoped the amendment wonld be
withdrawn. The constitutionality Of the law
was disputed, and it might be adjudged to be
unconstitutional. IL 80, Congress would be
awkwardly situated, in granting pension to
a man who was enforcing az unconstitutional
law.
Mr. Rusk, though willing to postpone the
,off xuaa will IN do md tha
threat of long debate.
Mr. Stuart said he believed the Fugitive
Slave Law to be perfectly constitutional; still,
he could not vote for pension to any person
falling in the civil service of the United States.
Mr. Bright, though agreeing with the senior
member from Michigan in his views, could not
vote for the amendment.
The amendment was then agreed to--yeas
35, nays IA, as follows:
YEAs--Messrs. Adams, Atchison, Bayard,
Bell, Benjamin. Brodhead, Brown, Butler, Cass,
Clay, Dawson, Dodge Of Wisconsin, Dodge Of
Iowa. Evans, Fitzpatrick, Geyer, Gwin, Hous-
Mallory, Mason, Morton, Norris, Pearce, Pet
tit Pratt, Rusk, Sebastian, Slidell, Thomson
Of New Jersey, Toombs, Toucey, and Weller
35.
NAYs-Meesre Bright Chase, Cooper, Fes-
sender, Fish, Foote, Gillette, Rockwell, Seward,
Stuart Summer, Thompson Of Kentucky, Wade,
and Waker--14.
MIR. Sumner moved to add to the bill an
amendment repeating the Fugitive Slave Act.
The Chair (Mr, Cooper ruled the amend
ment to be out Of order.
The bill as amended was then passed--yeas
81, nays H.
Mr. Sumner, pursuant to notice, asked leave
to introduce bill to repeal the Fugitive Slave
Act and was proceeding to debate the subject,
when he was called TO order.
Mr. Gwin objecting to the reception of the
bill,
Mr. Sumner again proceeded to discuss the
subject, when he was called to order.
The Chair decided him TO be out Of order.
4 NJ ,p,.o,nr