Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-06-15
Senate, Thursday, June Is, 1854.

Mr. Sumner presented tho credentials of
Hon. Julius Rockwell, Senator from Massachu-
sets, appointed by the Governor of that State
to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resigna
ton of Hon. Edward Everett
Mr.. Rockwell appeared, and was sworn.
joint resolution for the relief of Rebecca j.
Birdsall, and bill for the relief of VIM Duer
were reported, severally taken up considered,
and passed.
Mr.. Pearce from the Committee ON Finance,
reported substitute for the bill providing for
the settlement Of the claims Of the creditors of
the late Republic of Texas.
The Senate took up the bill providing for the
extingushment Of the title Of the Chippewa In
dams to lands owned by them in Minnesota
and Wisconsin, and to provide for their support
and vization.
Mr. Pearce stated some objections to the bill,
and, after some remarks by Mr.. Sebastian, in
reply, the bill was postponed till tomorrow.
Mr.. Johnson said, that by the last River
and Harbor appropriation bill, the appropria
ton for the improvement of the. navigation of
Red River was restricted, and was only to be
expended in case contract could be made
with the lowest bidder, who was to guaranty
that the navigation should be kept opon for
certain time. No contract had been made
leave to introduce joint resolution, authori-
zing the Secretary Of War to apply tho sum
appropriated in such manner rs he may an
prove, to improve the navigation of Red River
After some explanations the joint resolution
was considered and passed
The joint resolution giving the consent OF
Congress to the acceptance of Lieut.. NJ F.
Maury of the gold medal rendered him by the
King of Sweden, was taken up, and passed
The Senate resumed the consideration OF the
bill granting lands to the several States, for
the relief Of the INDECENT insane.
Mr.. Clayton addressed the Senate in support
Of the bill. He denied the doctrine which had
been asserted in debate, that tho President had
tho same right and power to pass upon all
bills submitted to him for his approval, as had
the members of the Senate He contended that
tho intention Of the Constitution was TO vest in
the President the power to check the unconst.
tutional encroachments OF the Legislative
branch of the Government He denied that it
was ever contemplated that the President
should consider the expediency Of any meas
ure, and veto it upon that ground. The veto
was clearly intended to be exercised only in
cases of unconstitutional Legislation.
He then deliberately argued the constitution
atty Of the bill, and controvcrtcd tho argu.
mentS oi the PRESIDENT.
House of Representatives., June IS, 1884
The Speaker announced the first business in
order to be the consideration Of tho bill fur
thcr to amend and modify the Post Office Regu-
lations, &c.
Mr. Olds said, If no gentleman wished to
address the House, he would move the previous
question.
Mr. Gorrit Smith arose and said that thorc
were two bills before tho House, and he would
propose an amendment TO whichever was be-
fore the House for immediate action. lie was
opposed TO both bills az they stood, because
they both resembled the present laws. His
amendment provided for the abolition Of tho
Post Office Department after two years.
His first objection to these bills was to the
retention Of the Thanking privilege. Members
of Congress were obliged 10 attend to moro
correspondence than they would, il there were
no such privileges. He did not think the diff.
fusion Of speeches rs at present practiccd,
essential to the prosperity Of the country
though he would not object to the granting Of
q certain quantity Of stamps to each member,
for the purpose Of disseminating reasonable
quantity Of such mailablo matter.
Another objection was that several rates OF
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