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

sxSArE.-Yesterday, Mr. Drodhead spoke at
sons length in suppart. Of the Nebraska bill,
and was followed by Mr.. Thomson, Of New
Jersey. who took similar side. He believed
that the measure was not only in cordance
with the principles of the acts of 1850, but was
constitutional, Just, and right in itself.
Mr.. Clayton got the floor, and the subject
was postponed. -.
/ The Senate then took up the bill to authorize
the use of the solar compass in the survey o.
the United States, and, after some debate, the
bill was postponed.
After an executive session, the Senate I'D
journed.
In THE House, yesterday, after We went to
press, Mr. Disney, at the conclusion Of the
speech of Mr. Bisseii. addressed the House in
favor Of the fpendingJ Wisconsin railroad land
donating BILL and in reply to Mr.. Cuttings
objections to particular features OF that mea-
sure. -r--s z-.ss'''sss.s.
At the conclusion Of the morning hour, sun
dry Senate bills, which were on the Speakers
table were duly referred. ,zazE
And. then. ICING into COMMITTEES Of the
Whole on the state o.s the Union, Mr.. 0ids in
the chair, } the Homestead ILL was again con-
sidered on amendments, which were deoated In
FIVE minutes speeches by Messrs. Cobb, Jaw
son, Dean, Jones Of Tenn, Ready, Yates, Tay-
lor of Ohio, Wright, Davis of r. L., Giddings,
Stephens of Ga, and others, until the commit
tee rose, and the House adjourned. -
PROCEEDINGS OF TO-DAY.
sEsArE.-After prayer, and the reading of
the journal, p ,,a u l...-s
Mr.. Seward presented petitions against the
repeal of the Missouri Compromise. ~.
Mr.. Benjamin brought in bill for making
| Lake Port. at the extremity of Lake Pontchar-
train, por. Of delivery; which was passed.
Mr.. Sumner presented petition for cheap
Ocean postage; and likewise another against
| the repeal of the Missouri compromise
Mr.. Fish, brought in bill to prevent unne.
cessary delay in the unladiDg of cargoes from
| foreign ports; which was referred to the Com
| mittee on Commerce. -1-1---1-s--s--a--.--s7---
| Mr.. Dodge, of Wisconsin, introduced q bill
to make Keokuk, Iowa, port of entry.
Mr.. Cass presented petitions respecting
American right Of worship abroad and inter
national copy right -ls.
| Mr.. Hamiin, from the Committee on Print
Jag, reported back a resolution amended, that
j. c. Riyes should furnish extra copies of the
| Congressional Globe with an Appendix.
| Mr.. Foot then moved the further considera-
ton OF the bill for the INDECENT insane in the
different States
! Mg. Mason spoke upon the subject, and said
that the disposition of the public lands had
long formed an element of political discussion.
He referred to the Homestead bill, and the
giving of tho public lands to all, whether citi-
zens or foreigners, who should settle upon them.
He then referred to the granting of the public
| lands for railroad purposes, and characterized
the bill now before the Senate, as making the
United States Government the general almoner
Of the States. 1t could only be defended on
the plea Of charity, and asked whether if il
| Co, ~ l.
| not also take charge of the poor of the States.
Thcy might take the police regulations from
the States. In what relation did Congress
stand with regard to the public lands? If they
could give them to the INDECENT insane, why
not for other purposes With regard to the
appeals in behalf Of this class, he would ask
whether they had the authority to legislate fol
one class Z CANNOT the States take care Of
their poor, whether they are indigent or in.
sane! He was not aware of a State in ths
Union who had not provided hospitals for thi,
class, as we'll as almshouscs for tho poor
There was not State who could not make the
necessary provision, and if there was one who
had neglected to do SO, they would act SINH
larly after the gram o. public lands
He was against the granting Of public land!
in this manner, and said that it would det1or.
alize the American people, like the Romans
who only looked for bread and spectacles
from their Government
Mr.. Walker said that he had formerly voted
against the bill, but he should vote for it now,
on account of the amendments that had been
introduced. He defended the bill from the
attacks of the preceding Senator, and in
stanced the grants Of public land for educa
tional purposes as proof Of the reverse.
Mr.. Hunter SPOKE agaiagt the bill as contra
ry to the principles Of the demOcr a4ie party.
Mr.. Stuart spoke in favor Of the bills.
HousE.-To-day, in the House, after tn
reading of the journal, the Wisconsin Railroad
land donating bill was again taken up, ant
Mr.. Disney, VINO was entitled to the floor, ad
dressed the Houre in favor Of tae bin to thu
conclusion of the hour to which he was emit
tied to the floor.
Mr.. Eastman next addressed the House il
favor of the bill.
Mr.. Z. then moved the previous question OF
the third reading of the BILL many members
protesting against it on the ground the chair
man Of the Public Lands Committee had giyer
pledge that the previous question should no
be called until until after speeches had been
heard against the bill; call for the previous
question not sustained.
Mr.. Letcher then delivered speech agains
the bill.