Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-01-19
House Of Representatives.
THE STEAMER SAN rRANc1sco

THE STEAMER SAN FRANCISCO.
The following named gentlemen compose the
committee, on the part ofthe House, appointed in
accordance with the Joint resolution. recen,iu
passed, to inquire and report as to the best man.
ner pf testifying the thanks of Congress- TO those
who lately rescued from their peril the passengers
on board the steamer San Francisco: Messrs.
CHANDLER, Of Pennsylvania; McMuLLES, Of Viz
necticut; HUNT, ofLonisiana; VANsANr, Of Mary
land; EDDY. of Indiana; SEWARD of Georgia. and
CROKER, Of Massachusetts
AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION. y
The SPEAKER announced the report Of The
Committee on the Judiciary, in relation 10 an
amendment of the Constitution Of the United
States, TO be the first business in order. The re.
port concluded with a resolution providing thar
there be appointed committee of nine members
by the Speaker TO Join such committee as NAV
be appointed by the Senate, to whom shall he re-
ferrcd the amendment proposed to the Constitn.
non by Mr.; EWING, relative to the mode of elect
ing the President and Vice President OF The
United States, proposing to abolish the interyen-
ton OF electors and destroy the general ticker
system, by dividing the States into the same mum,
Der OF districts as each State has Senators and
hePresentatves) with instructions TO take the
suplect generally into consideration and report in
such manner as TO them may be deemed most
expedient -
Mr.. McMULLEN withdrew the motion which
he made yesterday, to recommit the report in rela
tlon 70 which he had been laboring under mis-.
take. III
Mr.. DEAN moved that the resolution be laid
upon the table; but the motion did not prevail. H
LIE resolution was, under the operation OF the
previous question, agreed 10. ss
Mr.. WALbRlDGE gave notice, that he in.
tended hereafter TO move the following resolution.
Realized, That the Select Committee ON Amending the
be also instructed to inquire into the expcden
OF making provisions for the election by the people Of
postmasters and collectors Of the reveuc. $500 . r.a
RELIEF OF THE UNITED STATES TROOPS.
Mr.. BISSELL, from the Committee ON Military
Affairs, reported back the bill for the relief Of the
United States troops who are sufferers by the re-
cent disaster 10 the steamer San Francisco.
Silence, such as should allow one moments time
for reflection, would be, he WINS sure, the most
effective speech in favor ofthe bill, and il was the
only one he should make. He asked tina, il be put
on its passage.
The bill was then passed
II proposes TO pay, under the direction of ~
President Of the United States, 10 eecb o6;c.r
officer, musician, and nr;va,a
who, ON the twenty-first Of December. embarLsd
Al New York, under orders for California. on board
the steamship San Francisco, and who ware IN
board the vessel during the recent disaster = ann,
equal 70 the amount Of pay and allowance for four
months. II any such officer, non-commissionea
omcer, musician, or private, shall have died be-
lore receiving this payment, then his widow, or if
no widow, then the minor children, IL INV. shall
be allowed an amount equal 10 six months nav ana
allowances. p'' ''0
THE ARMY.
Mr. B1SSELL, from the same committee. re-.
ported bill TO promote the efficiency Of the army
by retiring list for disabled officers; which was
referred to the Committee of the Whole ON The
State of the Union. 1l
large number OF reports were made from sev
sral Of the Rianding committees.
Communications from the Treasury and In.
cror Departments and one from the Superintend.
mt Of Public Printing were laid before the House
md appropriately referred
PORT OF ENTRY.
Mr.. FULLER, from the Committee on Com