Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-07-26

Thirty. third Congress, lst. Session.

Thirty. third Congress, lst. Session.
! MONDAY July l7.-Senate memoir
ais from Massachusetts against the fugitive slave
| law were presented.
After some other business the homestead bill
was taken up. The question was taken on stri-
king out the 9th section giving land to foreign
ers) and decided in the negative. Yeas ~, nays
20. Mr.. Stewart moved rs a substitute for the
bill one extending the privilege of the homestead
! bill to all persons who by State laws were emit
tied to hold lands therein to fix asthe price to be
paid after possession and cultivation for five years,
twenty-five cents an acre, sc, SC. Mr.. Pearce
opposed the bill. and Messrs. Cass, Brown, Ad-
ans, Bell and Shields participated in the debate.
Mr.. Wade called attention to the report Of Mr..
CIayton's speech on the hill, in which he was
represented as accusing the Senators from New
York and Ohio of speaking disparagingly of Amer
lean citizens He said Mr. @. had not uttered the
sentiment in the Senate, and declared the charge.
so far as he was concerned, as false and malicious.
NJ. Clayton said he had used the words referred
to, substantially. Mr.. Wade repeated that NJ.
C.. in his private room had written words not ut
tered in the Senate, accusing him ofskulking &c.
Mr.. C. said il was lie, and here the discussion
between him and Mr.. Wade, which had been
kept up with much warmth, terminated, Mr..
Dodge, of Iowa, spoke against the know-Nnth
ngs. Mr.. Clayton replied.
House.-1he army appropriation bill was Ia
ken up in Committee OF the Whole, and an a
nIendment to repeal so much of the act rs author
Uses Military SUPPLEMENTARY of The National
Armories, was considered Mr.. Vanzant, of Ma
ryland, spoke in favor Of Civil SUPPLEMENTARY,
and Mr.. Keitt, Of S. c., in favor Of Military.
TUESDAY, enaic.-Mr. Sumner presented
memorial of the Pennsylvania Society for the
abolition of slavery. urging the repeal OF the fugi
tive slave law, and arguing that by the tenth sec
ton of that law free colored person had already
been sent back to slavery. A personal debate
ensued between Clay aud Sumner. Mr.. Dawson
denied the statement Of facts. Mr.. Rusk said in
the papers accompanying the petition was one, to
the reception OF which he objected. 1t reflected
grossly and falsely ON the South. 1t was read,
and debate ensued which continued till after ~
when the subject was laid on the table-yeas 81,
nays Ia.
MIR. Badger asked leave 10 withdraw his motion
to reconsider the vote passing the Pacific IeIe-
graph bill. Leave was granted-yeas 80. nays
10. Mr.. Badger then withdrew his motion, and
the bill is now passed.
The homestead bill was then taken up. Mr..
Stuart at the suggestion of friends of the bill, but
contrary 10 his own judgment, withdrew his a.
mendnont Mr.. Willer advocated the bill, and
denounced the Know Nohings. Messrs. Butler
and Shields engaged in the debate.
H0use.-Mr Phillips asked leave 10 introduce
bill providing that all the territory acquired by
the Gadsden treaty be annexed to New Mexico.
Not granted.
During the morning hour the bill repeating
part of the postage aot of 1852, was debated.
The army appropriation bill was then taken Up
in Committee Mr. Peckham, (DemocraD New
York. said the President had now the discretion
Of appointing Civil Or Military Superintendent,
and such administration men as Mr.. Faulkner
were not willing 10 trust him. The amendment
was finally agreed 10.
WEDYEsDAY-Sena Petit, from the
Judiciary Committee, to which had been referred
the numerous memorials praying the repeal OF
the fugitive slave act, said that the compliiee
were Of opinion that such Legislation was inexpe-
dent, and had instructed him tc report the same
back. and ask to be discharged from the further
consideration thereof Agreed 10.
The homestead bill was taken up Mr.. Ma
son offered an amendment providing that nothing
in this act shall be construed as extending TO
lands lying northwest of the river Ohio, and
ceded To the L. S. by the Commonwealth OF flf-
rinia, which, under deed of cession were to be
held by the General Government as a-cammon
fund for the general benefit. Messrs. Pesht,
Cass, and Badger opposed it. Messrs Mason,
Dawson. and Tombs supported il. Mr.. Clayton.
at four O'Clock, as test question, moved That le
bill be laid on the table. Lost-yeas "a, nays2I.
House-The subject SUPPLEMENTARY q The
Armories was brought up again, by an amend
ment offered by MIR. Faulkner. and debated by
Messrs. Keitt, Letcher and others. MI he'tt
said the Know Nohings had amazed and ierrIhed
the Democracy, and now they are driven from
the embrace OF foreigners, and take the mechan-
les to their arms. He wanted the Democracy 10
carry out their principles, but he was AFRAID they
would carry themselves out before they do thai.
+ Laughter Mr.. Faulkner's amendment was
rejected. and also one offered by MIR. kellt, that
the Superintendent should be practical men who
had not held any political office.
THuRsDAy.-SeHate.-A debate on The
Texas debt bin the homestead bill was taken up.
The question pending was on Mr.. Mason's amend
ment Mr.. Mason supported and Mr.. Badger OPP
posed it. Mr.. Toucey opposed the bill. MT
Bayard moved posiponement I'LL next session:
Mr.. Douglas urged the iriendsOt the bill to stand
firm. Mr. Bayard's motion WINS lost, and also Mr..
Mason's amendment. Several other amendments
was rejected. and then Mr.. Hunter moved sub
stiiue for the bills extending pre-emptlon rights to
the actual settlers, the same TO be PAD tor at prices
graduated from 81 .25 to twenty five cents per
acre allowing States in which The lands lie 10
take it at graduated prices, for the purpose OF
internal improvements wien sanctioned by legis
lative enactment OF said States Mr.. Cass said
there was no hope OF passing the original BILL aud
he would therefore 90 for the next best proposition
being this substitute.
Mr.. Broadhead moved to amend the substitute
by adding thereto his bill granting 10 all persons
who may have served in the military service oil
the United States, from the wars Of the Revolu-
ton TO the present time, $50 acres Of the public
lands. or 50 much addition to what they may have
received as will amount to 100 acres Rejected.
yeas "A. nays "a, the friends of the bill voting
against it, Mr.. Pratt said that thu friends of the
bill could not escape the fact that they had voted
down 4 proposition TO give land to the old soldiers.
Mr. Fitzpatrick moved 10 reduce the price Of
lands which have been in market thirty years to
l2a cents-agreed to-
The question was taken on Mr. Hunters sub
sttute, and agreed to-ycas 81 nays l3. The bill
was then reported to the Senate. The amend
menls made in committee of the whole were con.
CURED in, and the bill ordered to be engrossed for
a third reading.
Hopse-The House, by II against AZ con
CURED in the amendment to restore the Civil in
lieu ofthe Military superintendent at the nation
al armorieS Bill passed--93 to 62.
The Speaker laid before the House message
from the President of the United States, accom-
panied by the correspondence of Mr.. Mashal, late
Commissioner of China with the State Depart
ment consisting Of thirteen hundred foolOcap
pages, but nothing Of special public interest.
FRIDAY.-Scnate.-M Geyer introduced a
bill providing for the meeting Of Congress on the
first Monday in November next.
The homestead bill. So called, was taken up,
and after much debate it was passed-ayes 80,
,,oc frho iitIo ,roc .bon