The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-02-13

III. Housros, (dem) of Texas, offered q resolution,
which was agreed to, asking the Secretary of War foe in.
formation respecting Fort Leavenworth.
OVERLAND xAu AND TELEGRAPH TO TAX PACIFIC.
Mr.. JONES, dem of Iowa, presented q memorial from
the Legislators Of Iowa, in favor Of the overland mail
! and line of telegraph to the Pacific. Ordered to be
printed. ~
! lsAriokAL RBrrRArosssIAvERY IN rERRlrosiEs-sgA-
MANS WAGES. -
4 Mr. SUMNER, free 'sol) of Mass, pressnteda petition
from citizens Of Providence, in favor of stipulating,
in treaties with other governments, tina. arbitration
instead OF war shah be the mode Of settling national
4 disputes. Also a petition from citizens Of Wsrces-
ter that slavery be expressly prohibited in all Ter
ritories, by act of Congress. Hs also introduced
. s bill to secure the wages of seamen in case
Of wreck and said, by the existing maritime
: lava wages are made to depend on the voyage, 30
that, in case Of the total loss OF the ship aud cargo, the
sailor loses his wages. This hardship has beea removed
in England by act OF arliamsnt. The bill | Intro
duce win remove 1T, SO far as this country is coucerusi.
TIKI LONG BRIDGE ACROSS rue POTOMAC.
Mr.. PRATT, (whig) of Md, presented the petition of
citizens of Georgetown, 1. that the long bridge over
the Potomac be removed. Ordered to be printed
MPRovEMESa OF LAKES AND HARBoas L
Mr.. SswARD, Qree seil) of My. introdncedeight sepa-N
rate bills. pursuant 10 previous notice, for improving the
lakes and harbors, which, on motion of Mr.. Stuart, were
referred 10 the Committee on Commerce. -1' : -.
REsUhDISG OF DUTIES ON GOODS DESTROYED BY FIRES.
Mr.. SEWARD then called up the bill to remit or refund
the duties on goods destroyed by great nre5, winch WAS
reported by the Finan;e COMMITTEES on the 9th instant.
Passed.
p tsry OF the Treasury may remit or refund the duties on
~unbroLeu and original packages destroyed by ere, which
were imported between the zth Of July, 1888 and the
are to be commissioners to ascertain these losses, and
the goods must have been destroyed within ave years,
within two years from the time Of their importation
The testimony before -he said commissioners must be ia
writing. Pro rata allowances to be made tor damages
when the goods are not entirely destroyed. If there Is no
Naval Officer in the district where the goods were destroy
ed, then the District Attorney, or some other collection
officer, with the Collector, shall compose the commission.
MEASURES FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
OF the death Il Mr.. Norris Chairman Of tbs coa%ittss
for the District of Columbia, important measures for the
benefit o. the inhabitants OF Washington r. and az G sars s,s,
ing to that subject be made the special order for Wednes-
FEDERAL COURTS IN CALIFORNIA.
Mt. ToUcET, ldsml OF Conn., called up the bui estas,
mia. Discussed and passed.
SALARIES or DISTRICT COUNT JrnGKs.
Mr.. PETIT, (den. } oil Ind then called up toe bill fixing
the salaries OF the District Court Judges 81 tue United
The salary bill was discussed by Messrs. F~esseudeo,
Petit, Toucey, Mallory, Clayton, Bell and Gwin, and
finally passed without amendment.
THE INDIAN APPROPRIATION BILL
Was taken up. Slight amendments were made, on mo-
ton Of members of the Committee on Finance and Ia
dian Affairs. The amendments were as folio ws:-Appro-
~priations to colonize j. xas Indians and purchase sgricul-
tural in~sttuments,a and Tor establishing common schools
and sseacies whore none nov exist; for severing the
superintendency OF irdian affairs from the dovernors o.
Washington and Minnesota Territories; TO Increase IN
Dian reservations in California.
Mr.. WELLER (dem.l of.Cal thought that, with q lit,l
fostering from the government, the Indians would 5000
be able to tske care OF themselves.
Mr.. GwIK dem, of Cal, commended the plan of 10
amendment appropriating money for the publication Q
Indian statistics.
r. Nj. sHnLDs (dem j, Of Ill.,, offered an amendment pro-
v,diDg that the pay masters of the army whose accounts
are not l~tquidated, be paid one and a half per cont on
collections and disbursements. This applies to only one
paymaster and the widow of a deceased one, AMI their
elaine arose during the Mexici An war collections oil du-
ties. The last amendment was objected to on the ground
OF It's being a private bill, as only two benedcsries are
included. A long desnliory debate ensued, after whic h
it was decided to be in order, and the Senate adjourned.