Weekly national intelligencer., 1854-04-01

and including the cost of officers ransporta-
ton to and from California, Oregon Texas,
New Mexico and Utah, commencing on tho
1st Of July, 1850, and ending the 3Oth June,
.......S2673449 70
The Secretary states the total as follows
Report of the Auditor of the Post Office De-
partment .$23497S w
Report Of the Fourth Auditor. 777s79 70
Report of the Third Auditor. 449 26
Making grand total ,6s6,3o7 10
The PRESIDENT also presented memorial from
committee of the American Medical Association ask
ing that rank may be granted to the medical officers
Of the navy analogous to that ssuled to the medical
officers of the army.
THE DEFICIENCY BILL.
Mr. HUNTER pressed on the consideration Of the Sc
nate the necessity that existed for prompt action the
deficiency b and moved to postpone the prior business
with view to proceed to its consideration
The motion having been agreed to, the amendments
were read aud such as were excepted to were left over
for discussion. s~.
All the amendments were agreed to- with the exception
of thar appropriatng $3.50 900 for the purchase Of
site for customhouse at San Francisco and that which
forbds invalid pensoner from receiving his pension
while in any civil office under the Government
Mr. HAMLIN moved to amend the amendment relating
to the site for at San Francisco by insert
ing an appropriation for suitable building for custom
house a Portland Maine, the customhouse at that place
having been destroyed by fire.
Mr. HUNTER objected to the amendment as likely to
prejudice the passage Of the bill in the other branch de
carng that he would rather abandon the amendment of
the Committee Finance than peril the safety of the bill
by the adoption of such an amendment
This led to protracted discussion, in which Messrs.
FESSENDEN, PETIT, JONES, TOUCEY, HAMLIN,
GWIN, and several other Senators took part; when
Mr. MASON said it evident that the subject would
lead to further discussion and hence he felt constrained
that its further consideration be postponed until
tomorrow with view to pursue the consideration of
Executive business.
The bill was then postponed until tomorrow at half
past II o'clock ~. ..s...
HOUSE BILLS REFERRED. ....
The bill making appropriations for the current and con-
ngsnt expenses of the Indian Department and for full
filling treaty sipuations with the various Indian tribes
for the year ending the 30h june 1855, read and
referred to the Committee on Finance.
The bill to authorize the school commissioners Of frac-
tonal township No. of range No. 10 east in Alabama,
to locate onehaf section for school purposes refer
red to the Committee on the Public Lands.
TILE HOMESTEAD, PACIFIC RAILROAD, &C.
Mr. MASON then moved that the Senate proceed to the
consideration of Executive business.
Mr. DODGE, of Iowa, and Mr.. WALKER contended
that the homestead bill should have precedence the
most important measure Of the session.
Mr. GWIN insisted that the national railroad bill
the most important of all, and, though friendly to the
homestead lie should feel bound press the railroad
paramount all others. :.
Mr. BRoDHEAD spoke of the bill, which he had been
nursing for me for the benefit Of the old soldiers
and wanted to know how that likely to fare in the
hands Of the Committee on Public Lands?
Mr. WALKER replied that the bill for the old soldiers
was under consideration but the homestead bill gave not
only to old soldiers, but to all that needed. N
This discussion continued by Messrs BROWN,
CLAY, SHIELDS, DOUGLAS, DODGE, of Iowa, and
others, when
Mr. MASON again urged the necessity of going into
Executive business and submitted whether the debate
in order But the friends of the homestead resisted the
notion declaring that that bill entitled at least to
fair division of the time.
Mr. CLAYTON rose question Of order, and pointed
to the 18th rule of the Senate which says
On motion made and seconded to shut the doors Of the
Senate the discussion of any business which in the
opinion of member require secrey the President shall d
the galleries be closed and during the discussion of
such motion the doors shall remain shut"
Mr. MASON then made motion to close the doors,
under the above rule which led to long discussion, in
which several Senator'S participated when the Chair de-
cded in favor of the 18th rule and ordered the galleries to
be cleared.
Mr. SHIELDS appealed from the decision of the Chair
but, after debate, withdrew it; and Mr.. BADGER re-
newed it.
After further discussion the question taken the
appeal, and the Chair sustained by the following
vote:
YEAS--Messrs. Adams Allen, Bayard, Bell, Brodhead,
Butler Clay, Clayton Dodge Of Wisconsin, Evans Fessen
den, Fish, Foot, Hamln, Hunter Mason Morton Norris,
Rusk, Sdel Stuart Sumner, Thompson of Kentucky Thorn
Of New Jersey Toucey Wade, Weller, Williams, and
Wrght-22.
NAYs-Messrs. Badger, Brown Dodge of Iowa, Douglas,
Jones of Iowa. Jones of Tennessee Petit Shields and Wal
ker-9.
The doors were then closed at P. NJ and were not
again opened until quarter past P. NJ, when
The Senate adjourned ~.