The true Democrat., 1855-04-11
Congressional.
Monday, February l2.
SENATE.

Mr. JOHNSON, from the committee on pub- lie lands, to whom was referred the bill from the House to establish an additional land dis trct in the territory of Oregon reported 1t back without amendment.
 He also, from the committee on printing, to whom was referred motion to print five hun dred extra copies of resolutions of the Legisla- ture of Wisconsin, in regard to the naturaliza- tion laws reported adversely thereon; and the report was agreed to-
 H. also, from the same committee to whom was referred a resolution to print five thousand ad- ditional copies of the report of the United States Naval Astronomical Expedition to Chili reported adversely thereon; and the report was agreed to.
 Mr. Slidell, from the committee on roads and canals, to whom was referred the petition of Mary W. Perrine, for herselfa and children, ask ing payment of the amount due her late hus- band William E. Perrne, as one of the con- tractors on the Louisville and Portland canal submitted an adverse report theron; which was ordered to be printed.
 The bill to establish circuit court in and for the state of California was passed.
 The house bill regulating the salaries of the district judges was passed.
 This bill gives the district judge of Arkan- saS g., 5O0 per annum.
 INDIAN APPROPRIATION BILL.
 The Senate, act ordngly, as in committee of the whole, proceeded to consider the bill from the House of Representatives making appro- priations for the current and contingent eXpen- ses of the Indian department, and for fulfilling treaty stipulations with various Indian tribes, for the year ending June 30 1856. It had been reported from the committee on Finance, with amendments, the first of which was so to amend the following item:
 For the pay of the several Indian sub-agents, per act Of 31st July, 1854, $l5,372 79, as to make 1t read:
 For the pay of the several Indian sub-agents, per act of 31st of July, 1854, and for arrearages of pay to one in the State of New York, one at Green Bay, Wisconsin, one for the Semi holes west of Arkansas, and one for the Indian tribes in Utah, S15,382 76; and the Secretary of the Interior is authorized, hereafter to em- plov one sub-agent for the Indians in the State of New York, one for those at Green Bay, Wisconsin, one for the Seminoles west of ofArkan- sas, and one for the tribes in the territory of Utah. at the rate of $75O.per annum each.
 MT. SEBASTIAN. Before that amendment of the committee is voted on, may as we'll of- fer as an amendment to it, the substance of a provision which the committee on Indian af- fairs ins ructed me to offer as a separate amend ment My object will be accomplished by str- king out the word ''sub" and insert S1,OOO in place of $75O, the salary recommended by the committee on Finance. The object of this is simply to conform to provision of law which now exists, under which there are no sub-agents, and to make these subordinate officers second class agents. propose, therefore, as since the o1l strike out the word "sub' where it occurs. The other amendment is to raise the salary from S75O to S1,OOO The department have recom- mended this; and the result of the experience which they have on this subject is, that it is im- on Finance provide for, to obtain a person of which are frequently of vast importance We deem it nothing more than fair that the salary ofS75O should be raised to that of a second class agent, at this time, $1,0OO These are the only differences between the amendment of the com mittee on Indian Affairs and that of the com mittee on Finance.
 Mir. Hunter. have no objection to striking out the word "sub' so as to make 1t conform to the system which has been introduced; but do not see the necessity for raising the salaries uO odloly Oi ,CscO Wdo put III OH dH OoIHldt from the department. The only reason for an increase must arise from the fact of changing the sub-agent to agent. The committee on Finance were informed that the service could be obtain ed for this amount of money.
 MT. SEBASTIAN. Iprobably was in error when stated that the department had estima- ted for the salary of this office at $1 900. take it for granted that the chairman of the commit tee on Finance is right, when he says that the estimates are for salary of $75O. But from frequent conferences with the head of the de- partment. and the Commissioner of Indian Af fairs, am satisfied that salary ofl$1, 900 k not more than sufficient to command that order of ability which ought to be required of a mar to ill the office of a second class Indian agent I think experience (without adverting to parti culars) is sufficient to admonish us that tn, kind of ability which is necessary to discharg the duties of these offices, cannot be obtained for the salaries now provided by law.