Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-01-25
SENATE.


A communication was received from the Secre-
tary Of the Interior recommending certain appro-
priations. Ordered to be printed.
communication was received from the Presi-
dent in relation to custom-houses and sites. Re-
ferred to the Committee on Post Offices, and or
dered to be printed.
Messrs. SEWARD, ROCKWELL, and PRATT,
presented petitions Of private character.
Mr. SUMNER presented petitions in favor oil
mediation and one in favor of the cheap ocean
postage.
Messrs CLAYTON, SEWARD, JONES, FOOT,
ALLEN, and STUART, reported bills for the relief
of various individuals.
Mr. CHASE introduced a bill for the improve.
ment the navigation of the Ohio river.
Mr. COOPER introduced the resolution, respect
ing the immigration Of paupers which we gave in
full on Monday.
Mr. o. said his object in presenting the resolu-
ton just read, was to find out the number of pau
pers coming into this country, and whether they
are sent by their governments, or whether they
come voluntarily, and on getting that information,
to call the attention of Congress to it, and have
proper laws passed against it.
1t is well-known that European States have an
organization effected to send the paupers and con.
vcts of their almshouses and prisons to this
try to avoid the expense of their sustenance. That
practice is alarmingy on the increase. When Gen
eral Smith was Mayor of Baltimore, ship-load OF
convicts in irons arrived at that port stopped
at Fort McHenry and he asked the Secretary OF
State if there no law to prevent their landing,
but was informed there was not and the irons OF
those convicts were removed, and they turned
loose to prey on that community
At this stage of the speech we closed our re-
port.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The SPEAKER laid before the House a commu-
49, -
from the Secretary of the Interior asking for GER
tain appropriations.
Also, a communication from the same, furnish
ing information in regard to the selection of sites
for various post Offices, court rooms, &c, in Pha-
delphia, and other places.
On motion of Mr. WHITE, of Pa, it was re-
ferred to Select Committee with directions to in
vestigate the same and report to the House.
Mr.. CHANDLER asked the unanimous consent
of the House to take up the Senate joint resolution
in reference to the expedition to be sent in search
of DR.. Kane.
Objected to by Mr.. HAMILTON.
Mr.. FAULKNER asked leave to make sundry
reports from the Military Committee, in reference
to territorial business.
Objected to by Mr.. LETcHER.
The House then resolved itself into a Committee
Of the Whole, and resumed the consideration OF
the French Spoliation bill
Mr.. PHELPS stated that he was interested in
this bll-one Of his ancestors having been suf
ferer, and therefore he should not vote for, or
against it.
Mr.. ORR proceeded TO address the committee,
in opposition to the bill. He said that everything
presented to the consideration of members of Con
gress was in behalf of these claims. The govern.
ment had not been represented. He confessed
that, when he first read these ez parte statements
his mind leaned hvorably to the claims; but upon
examining the whole subject thoroughly, he was
satisfied that there was just or legal obligation
on Congress to pay them.
He denied that Mr. GILES of Virginia, favored
them and read extract from his report, to prove
his position. He recited also the authority of Mr..
Forsyth, in opposition TO the claims. The first
time the legality Of them was ever recognized was
when Mr.. Webster reported, in 1884, in favor OF
their being paid
He warned gentlemen against being misled by
the er parte statements Of parties interested and
said that every one who voted for the bill would
have to render rigid account to:its constituents
Mr.. ORR then commenced an historical review
Of the origin Of the whole subject, and was speak.
ing when we closed our report.