Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-24

The Senate proceeded TO the consideration OF
the Bounty Laad bill !; and after debate, without
disposng Of the question,
The Senate adjourned.
House of Representatives.
On motion by Mr.. RICHARDSON, Monday,
Tuesday, and Wednesday next We're set apart Tor
territorial business, with the provision that no
railroad bill shall then be considered.
Mr.. FULLER, from the Committee on Com
merce, reported bill TO amend and consolidate
the navigation, revenue, and collection laws Of the
United States, and for other purposes Referred
to the Committee on Commerce.
On motion by Mr.. CUTTING. the House took
up and passed the Senate bill authorizing the Sec
rotary Of the Treasury TO issue register 10 the
barque Collins, under the name Of The Lilley.
Bills were introduced by several gentlemen, and
appropriately referred.
Mr.. SEWARD rose 10 present petition pray
ing for the establishment Of navy yard at Bruins
wick, Georgia. BY unanimous consent, he was
permitted 10 make few remarks. This subject,
ne said had been referred 10 the COMMITTEE on
Naval Affairs, but NO report made upon II. He
wished to know whether the standing committee
have the right 10 control the business OF the
House. and TO make their rooms the grave of mat
tiers referred TO thsm and thus strike down the in
erests which the people have in the Legislation OF
Congress. During the last session S3OOOOOO
were appropriated 10 build six frst.class steam
J.
wards Cuba at that time, required that some
means OF defense should be adopted
The President Of the United States transmitted
a message on this subject, and il was referred To
the Committee on Foreign Affairs, where il now
sleeps. He was uttdrly astonished that no report
has vet been made, especially when he recollectsd
that the chairman Of that committee Mr.. BAYLY.l
said after reading the message, that II excited his
admiration. He wanted the country TO under
stand that the business of Congress is managed
more by the standing committees than by the
House Two-thrds Of it are manufactured by
The heads Of the departments and the House is
required TO endorse 10
Mr.. INGERSOLL rose to point OF order. He
did not object when the gentleman asked leave 10
make his remarks thinking that they would be
confined 10 the subject, and be very few
The SPEAKER replied that NO course was
prescribed 10 the gentleman from Aieorgia blythe
House.
Mr. BAYLY, Of Virginia, expressed the hope
that il would be understood he should have an OPP
portunity 10 reply.
: Mr.. SEWARD resumed, saying he made no
charges Of corruption, but the tendency of such
course was evil. He was not content 10 have the
rights Of his constituents destroyed by the COM
mittees. They are no, the Judges OF what the
country want Ii is then business either 10 make
favorable or unfavorable reports on the subjects
respectively referred 10 them. Let the House
take action and the Representatives OF the people
The House then proceeded TO take the question
on the motion made yesterday, by Mr.. JONES, of
Tennessee, namely, 10 reconsider the vote by
which the Pacific railroad bill was referred TO the
select committee Of thirteen, and 10 lay that mo-
ton on the table.
The question was decided IN the Affirmative
yeas IS, nays o.
The House resumed the consideration oil the
Senate bill for The relief OF Samuel A. Beden 81
Co., proposing to refund certain duties paid by
them on goods confscated in Mexico while that
country was in the military possession OF our
army.
Messrs. HUNT, and STANTON of Tennessee,
addressed the House in favor OF the bill
Mr.. BAYLY Of Virginia, remarked that he de-
sired to say something on the subject, but not at
this time; and then moved that the house resolve
itself into the Committee OF the Whole the state
Of the Union, declaring his purpose, if the ques-
lion should be decided in the affirmative, TO move
10 take up the French spoilation bill
The House-by yeas LOT, nays 63-decided
the question in the affirmative; and Mr.. SEYMOUR
was called to preside over the committee.
Mr.. BAYLY, in accordance with the notice
Of the French spoiaiion bill be proceeded with IL
being the frs, on the Calender
Mr.. HOUSTON moved that the civil and diplo-
matte appropriation bill be taken up in lieu OF the
one last named; but the question was decided IN
the negative--ayes So, noes %.
The committee proceeded TO the consideration
OF the French spolaion bill.
Mr. BAYLY said he did not, al this short session,
when there was business OF pressing Importance
before the House, propose 10 detain the committee
AT any length, because he presumed If there was
any one question which the statesmen OF the
United States well informed as any other,
il is this question OF the French spoliaion bill II
had been reported on for half century, almost
always favoraby. Ii has passed the Two Houses
frequently, bu, not at the same session. He in
tended to move the Senate bill, as substitute,
which provides for direct appropriation Of FIVE
millions Of dollars from the Treasury, and for a
solicitor on the part OF the Government, TO appear
before the board, and see that justice is done.
He thought that the bill was extremely well
guarded. The objection heretofore to the bills
reported was, that there would be no end to the
| wards; but, by this, il was provided that the
presentation OF a claim released the government
from everything except what may be awarded.
Mr.. ORR inquired, what was the probable ae
srGwainf6 a o., Q, a1eIe po"a s
ccrtained by the board but this blu obvsied every
objection, because IL appropriated FIVE millions o
dollars ms full satisfaction for claims.
MIR. HIBBARD remarked, il had been estimated
that the amount is between thirty and forty mil
| lions OF dollars.
Mr.. BAYLY did moi believe any such thing
on the contrary, he believed FIVE millions of dollars
| will satisfy all the claims adJudcated. IL this
amount does not satisfy all the claims, II is TO be
| distributed pro rafa
The committee was then further addressed by
Mr.. ORR in opposition TO the bill, and by Messrs
| BAYLY, CHANDLER, and kEITT in its favor
| Mr.. LETCHER indicated an amendment which
| be intends TO offer.
| The committee rose, when Mr.. BAYLY offered
a resolution to terminate the debate in two hours
after the House shall again go into committee on
| the subject
| Pending the consideration OF the resolution,
| The House adjourned.