The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-04-25
THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
Senate.

PETITIONS PRESENTED.
Mr.. FooT (whg) of VT, presented remonstrances
gainst the Nebraska bill.
Mr.. HAMIN, (dem) of Me-, presented similar remon-
Mr. SEWARD (free soiD of N Y, presented the memo
bal Of the Jews of Rochester, praying that religious free
kom be secured to all American citizens in European
ounries also, the remonstrance Of George Cornell and
kthers, of New York, against the Nebraska bill.
Mr. FIsH, lwhg) Of n T., presented memorials in ia
Also petitions from Jews, in favor of religious free
Mr. SUMNER free soil) of Mass, presented numerous
memorials in favor of cheap ocean postage.
Mr. HUNTER, (dem.), of Va presented petition from
number of mechanics praying that the Homestead bill
amended SO as to allow them TO receive 5000 each in
Ecu of land
Mr. BUTTER, (dem.), of s. c. presented petition from
that city be instructed to repeal that law which
ures ayerns and eating houses to close at midnight
Mr.. EVERETT, (whg) OF Mass presented petition
from the American Scientific Association, asking for
appropriation TO enable Professor MITCHELL of Cincinnati
construct machine for observing right ascensons
Ind decnations by the aid of magnetism, which was
erred TO a select committee.
LAND TO ALABAMA FOR RAILROADS.
Mr. FITZPATRICK, Idem) of Aa introduced bill grant
bog land to Alabama for railroads.
PRIVATE DIII
bill for the relief of Grafton Baker reported and
| assed.
The House Joint resolution directing the settlement of
eran expenses incurred by the Legislature of Oregon
preparing and printing code OF laws, was reported
| md passed.
MILITARY ACADEMY APPROPRIATION BILL
The military academy appropriation bill was returned
rom the House. with amendments to the senates amend
nents
The House rejected the senate's amendment increasing
salaries of the professors OF French and drawing.
goncur with the Ho1se
Mr. sHlraDs (dem) of H., hoped not and moved that
HE Senate insist on its amendments Agreed to-
| committee Of conference was asked
THE REscUERs OF THE SAN FRANCISCO.
Mr.. SHIELDS moved to take up the bill approprating
hppd eopdd IN eui.a .ab
medals for the captains of the Three Bells the Kiby
nd the Anartic, and the balance to be divided
captains and their crews for their gallant conduct
the survivors of the wreck of the steamer San
francisco
Mr. HUNTER said he hoped the Senate would take up
he Indian Appropriation bill.
Mr. BRopHEAp said this was the day fixed for the con-
liberation Of the bill to suspend all duties on railroad
ron There many persons about to engage in the
manufacture of that article and il important that
hey and the country should know what govern
nent intended to pursue He would however, give way
% the bill mentioned by the Senator from Illinois.
Mr.. Shields motion was agreed to.
M GwIN, (dem.) of Cal, moved substitute, propos-
Ing to give to the captains of the Three Bells, Kby
ntartc and Lucy Thompson, gold medal each, and all
theirs engaged in the rescue suitable silver and bronze
pedals and approIrating go FOR that object lie
crbed nearly o00 which had been paid to the officers
nd of these vessels. The government, too had
promptly paid the demanded by their oVners for
amages and losses sustained by them in consequence of
he rescue The of the Three Bells had demand
d twenty-five thousand dollars and the owners of the
ilby fifteen thousand dollars, and they paid these
mounts At the time he Investigated this matter the
antarctic bad not returned from Liverpool and he did not
how much her had asked received of this
oyernment. The Senate would see that the govern
ent and citizens OF the United states had already paid
the owners and the crews OF the three vessels ever
kne hundred thousand dollars ills substitute proposed
rhe proper The gold, silver and bronze medals
~ it'll suitable devices would be highly priced by
Hlese brave men than any gift in money He thought
hs commaader Of tire Lucy Thompson ought to have
. medal .
o;t; A thnsn harpie nd Of
hat laid by tie government 10 the owners OF The
sels, entirely correct, but that matter had no.
hir whatever to do with the national acknowledgment
Sths noble deed of humanity aud dauntless heroism.
Ic repeated the details Of the disaster and the gallant
Sonduct displayed by these commanders during those
erous Gays and nights He said that while the metals
Would be treasured by the officers the poor tar would
pot deem bronze medal as any munidcent reward for
his hardghps and galantry Tho money to them would
/ 1e something truly bountiful and rewarding.
Il Mr.. GwIN said the Senator had distinguished himself
reatly in the Mexican war and received thanks and
edas Had that Senator received sword for his gal
anry would he not have priced it ten times more highly
1han all the money in the treasury He knew Of bronze
medals which were OF but little value in Themselves but
ho amount Of money couli purchase them from those
| aSn whom they had been bestowed
M Messrs. HAxlN and MALLORY followed in favor Of the
krginal resolution.
III Mr. sIiDEII advocated the amendent
Mr. GwIn's substitute reeced-yeas 10, nays TO-
su's Tn cny auT Plst
Febastian, sifdeii, Toombs wiliams7-l6 -. n,
ooSor Everett FISH Foot Seyer nann Jones oval
Mallory, Petit, Seward Shields Stuart sumner fhomp
Hon Ky), Wade Wrght-H. ,
Mr.. GwIN moved to amend by striking out hundred
Shousand,n - and inserting 6 fifty thousand
Mr.. sEwARD-I hope the amendment viii not be agreed
| 70. After we have seen the expressions and manfes
atons of gratitude which have been given by the ct
lens Of the United States TO these meritorious men,
Does TO that II would be much more satisfactory
the people that should award nothing at all than
chat we should differ upon the sum, and cut II dowr
srcm one hundred thousand TO 6fty thousand dollars
hese entitled to reward, to some acknow
Judgment from the country, they are not They art
untitled to some reward from government or they are
pot. There In no one here elsewhere who
Mil maintain that higher act Of heroism ir
fhivil LIE has ever occurred or can ever occur
fuch an act then deserves acknowledgment The very
ature Of the Transaction itself IL evidence Of it.
nert All civilized nations regard services Of this kind
cglaLimous, heroic and worthy Of reward. IL 10