The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-03-08
CONGRESS-.
THIRrY-rHIRD coXGREss-sEcovD SESSION.


After we went to press last week, the Senate
adopted, by vote of "a to 20, the report of
the committee on conference in relation TO
swamp lands.
A bill to amend the act regulating hostages,
was taken up and passed.
The ocean mail steamer appropriation bill
was then taken up. The amendments reported
by the Committee on Finance proposed to Sc
cure TO the Government the power to give the
required notice, whenever it might choose to
close the contract with the Collins line. Mr..
Badger was in favor Of the bill as it came
from the House, which provided for no such
power. He did not wish the subject brought
before Congress every session. After a pro-
tracted debate, the question was taken on the
amendment of the Committee on Finance,
which proposed to strike out the following
clause of the bill as it came from the House
That the proyso contained in the first Sec
ton of the act entitled An act to supply def
ciencies in the appropriations for the service
of the fiscal year ending the thirtieth of June,
one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two,' ap-
proved the twenty-irst day of July, one thou
sand eight hundred and fifty-two, be and the
same is hereby repealed: ProUided that Ed
ward X. Collins and his associates shall pro-
coed, with all due diligence, to build another
steamship, in accordance with the terms of
their contract, and have the same ready for the
mail service IN two years from and after the
passage of this act. And if the said steamship
is not ready within the time above mentioned,
by reason of any neglect or want Of diligence
on their part then the said Edward K Collins
and his associates shall carry the Unteal States
mails between New York and Liverpool, from
the expiration of the said two years, every fort
night, free of any charge to the Government
Al L L III
the said mail service"
The vote to strike out was as follows:
YEAs-MesSrs. Adams, Brodhead, Butler,
Chase, Dawson, Fessenden, Fitzpatrick, Geyer,
Hunter, Mallory, Mason, Morton, Pratt, Toombs,
Toucey Wade, and Wells-17.
NAYs-Messrs. Allen, Badger, Benjamin,
Brainerd, Cooper, Douglas, Foot, Gillette,
Gwin, James, Petit, Rusk, Seward Shields,
Stuart, Sumner, Thomson of New Jersey,
Walker, Wilson, and Wright-l9.
The question having been taken on the other
amendments of the committee, they were all
rejected
Other attempts were made to amend the bill,
which likewise failed, as did several motions to
adjourn.
Mr.. Chase moved to amend the bill, and had
proceeded in his speech some minutes, when
he gave way, and the further consideration was
postponed until tomorrow at twelve O'Clock.
And at nine p. NJ. the Senate adjourned
In the House, after we went to press last
week, the House agreed to suspend the rules,
to take up the bounty land bill. 1t gave rise
to long discussion, and at last was postponed
till Wednesday, at IL o'clock.
The Indian appropriation bill was acted upon,
and laid aside to be reported.
The army appropriation bill was considered,
and the House then took q recess till o'clock
in the evening, for the purpose of general de-
bate.
In the evening warm discussion took place,
of which report is given in another column.