Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-01-03
DOINGs OF CONGRESS.

DOINGS az CONGRESS-.
SENATE. To-day, after prayer BY the Rev
Mr. Slicer- 81 i
Mr. Seward rose to q question Of privilege
with respect to the right of the Senator from
Vermont {the Hon. S S. Phelps to hold the
place. He explained that the Senator from
Vermonf had been appointed by the Govern
or, to fill the vacancy that had arisen through
the death of their former Senator during the
recess OF the Legislature Of that State lie
concluded by .oferipg resolution to the effect
that the Committee on Judiciary be ordered
by the Senate to inquire int the Hon. Sen
| ator's right to the seat. ~,ss-. ef--
Mr. Butler thought it preferable that The
Senate itself should consider upon the matter,
and dispose of it Immediately.
At the suggestion IF the Senator frem New
York, the subject was deferred until to-mor-
row. rs E.s ..
Mr.. Petit presented the memorial Of cer-
tain citizens of Indiana, praying for the con-
struction of a ship canal round the Falls of
Niagara. Referred to Committee on Com
merce.
Mr.. Seward presented several petitions from
ci,izens Of Oswego to the same purpOrt. Same
reference.
Mr.. Shields presented the petition of the
widow of General Childs for pension Also,
one of certain citizens of Washington for i'm
provement Of Delaware avenue: also, another
for other parties for the construction of tel
egraph from St. Louis (Mo.) to San francisco.
Referred to their appropriate committees.
Mr.. Sumner presented o petition for tho 70.
peal of the duty on coal. Referred to Com
mittee OH Finance.
Mr.. Fitzpatrick moved the second reading
of bill for the relief Of the heirs of Joshua
Kennedy; which was read, together with
favorable report of the Committee on Indian
affairs, to which the bill had been referred.
1t was then read a third time and passed
Mr.. Petit presented petition that the
papers of j. L. Collins, might be withdrawn.
Referred to the Committee on Claims.
Mr. Hamlin introduced bill for the estab-
lishment Of 4 mail route for the Eastern
boundary Of Maine to township No. 9 range
ii. Referred to Post Office Committee.
Mr. Chase presented . memorial from the
discoverer of preventative against CHOLERA,
praying Congress to take the subject int
consideration.
Mr. Gwin moved the reading of the Cali
fornia Railroad Bill. of which he had given
notice previous to the holidays. Read and
referred to Committee.
Mr. Brodhead introduced bill against
coming. ard moved that it be referred
to the judiciary Committee and be printed
Agreed to:
Mr.. Gwin brought forward the subject of
d
ern District of California and moved that the
| Judiciary Committee be discharged thercfrom
| and that tho bill be brought before the Senate
Mr.. Petit said that when the bill had been
brought forward, he had moved its reference
to the Judiciary Committee but there had
| never been quorum present, and in general
| only himself was in attendance He was sat
isfed that tho bill ought to pass, and he there
fore conceded with the mover Agreed to
hon fa1y 70.
| ton and passed through the successive stages.
MIR. Petit presented the report of the Com
mittee on Private Lands with respect to the
petition Of Victor Morras, and Il bill founded
thereupon was read.
Mr. Cass moved that the papers of an imdi
vidual named Bronson, deceased. should be
referred to their appropriate committee. Re
ferred.
MIR. Pratt moved the passage of a bill fer
the relief Of the heirs of DIR. VIM. Somervillc,
deceased, for losses sustained during the last
war with Great Britain. Passed
Mr. Chase proposed the renewed passage of
bill for dividing the State of Ohio into two
Judicial Districts, explaining that it had al
ready passed the Senate during the prec sding
session but had failed in its passage through
the House. Passed.
HousE.-To-day, after the reading of the
Journal
Mr.. Fuller reported from the Committee on
Commerce, a bill for the relief of Ferdinand
Clark. Referred to the Committee of the
whole House.
Also; another for the Relief of Aldolphus
Mier CO., of st. Louis. Same reference.
Mr.. Aiken, from the same Cunnt tee re-
ported a bill to change the name of the Ameri.
can built brig, John button, and to grant her
u register under a new name. Bill read the
third time and passed.
Mr.. Eastman, from the Committee on Indian
Affairs. reported a bill for the relief of Robert
Greenhow. Referred to the Committee of the
whole House.
Mr.. Bissell, from the Committee on Mill.
tary Affairs, reported the joint resolution
,endering the thanks of Congress and o sword
to General John f. Wool, for his conduct in
the battle of Buena Vista Read twice.
Mr.. Bissell moved to put this joint resolu-
ton on its passage.
Mr.. Giddings opposed its enactment, urging
that heretofore Congress had only passed such
measure in honor OF the comma uder-in-c chief
on such occasions, embracing his officers and
soldiers in the resolution. lie could not con
:eive why General Wool was more entitled to
This honor than the minor officers and soldiers
serving on that occasion. Mr.. G. argued at
some length, that to pass the resolutions in
question, would. be to set o very bad precedent,
and also be doing great injustice to the gallant
officers and men who served in the Mexican
war. He suggested the propriety of its refer
snce back, so that when again reported, the
military committee should render with it
sull report, setting forth why Congress should
make Il new rule in such eases.
Mr.. BiSsell replying to MIR. Giddings urged
that General Wool had been unintcntionally
overlooked by Congress in distributing such
honors and compliments. Quitman, and others
he named, had been SO compiimented, and the
committee on military affairs thought it to be
their duty to recommend to Congress to repair
he injustice that had been thus put on Gen.
John E. Wool.
Tho said joint resolution was then read the
third time, and passed.
Mr.. Washburn, Of ILL.,, moved to reconsider
: vote, by which the bill for the relief of pur-
;haserS of swamp and ovcrfOwcd lands, re-
ported by Mr.. HEM, from the Committee on
Public Lands, had been committed. He cx-
claimed that his purpose was to move to put
1t Oh its passage.
Mr.. w. then addressed the House at some
length in favor of the immediate enactment
Of this bill. He explained that it proposed
to give permission to the States to enter other
lands in lieu of those swamp la ads which had
been entered by private individuals. Con-
sress having some time since granted the
swamp and ovcrfowed lands to the various
States. some Of which had been taken up by
ndividual. paid for and improved by them