Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-01-17
CONGRESS.

ton and Morton appeared and look their seals.
Mr. Shields presented the petition OF the SOL
ders Of the war Of 1912, praying the Senate to
pass the Bounty Land Bill now before them
Laid ON the table. - sgsa.-
MIR. Cooper presented the memorial of the A.
cademy of Sciences in behalf of DIR. Kane.g
Mr.. Douglas presented bill in favor Of the
construction of Pacific Railroad and collateral
magnetic telegraph. Read and referred.
S]r. Shields, from the Committee OF. Military
Affairs, reported back, with amendments, the bill
for the reorganization Of the army, and moved
that il be printed Agreed to.
|, The Judicial Reform bill was taken up and de-
bated ill the adjournment. s-"s
House.-A resolution was passed Terminating
the debate on the Pacific Railroad bill on the 10Th
inst.
act Of August last. reducing and graduating the
price of public lands to actual settlers and cuiva
tors. MIR. Dawson Offered an amendment, resio-
rinp the Homestead feature, and spoke on the
subject. Mr. Etheridge gave notice IF an amend
ment. combining the benefits Of the bill to the ma.
live born. and 10 persons now naturalized. The
morning hour expired, and The House then went
into COMMITTEES of the Whole on the state Of the
Union ON the Pacific Railroad bill. Mr. Latham
deliver d slee;f. s.,-
WEpxEspAY.-S snate.-Mr Pratt presented
the petition Of certain merchants asking Congress
to provide against the difficulties arising from the
adjustment Of The corporeal punishment Of sea-
men. rs o.. -i.-
Mr.. Cass moved the assignment If the first
Monday in February next for the consideration Of
Mr.. Undrrwood's resolutions relating 10 the free
dom Of religious worship in foreign countries. A
greed to- 80 "a ~ sa.al1t go =.
The bill to reform the judiciary sf the United
States was the principal topic Of the sitting. No
ed the proceedings.
House.-Several bills were introduced to pro-
vide for harbor and river Improvements. The
bill to amend The land graduation act Of the last
session was the prominent subject under consider
alton. Mr. Dawson's amendment. in the 'nature
of homestead, the lands TO he sold to actual set
tiers a, fourteen and half cents an acre, was the
pending question, and produced discussion. FL
naIly this amendment was rejected by vote OF
IS to 90 and, after agreeing 10 substitute re-
ported by the Committee on Public Lands, the
bill was rejected Yeas Is, nays So.
-Senaie.-The Pacific Railroad
bill was referred TO select committee.
The Compensation bill was taken up. MIR. Gil
lett, of Connecticut. spoke in opposition 10 the bill.
He said if members of State Legislatures could
get along on from two to four dollars day, he
did Mt see why members of Congress could not
live on eight dollars. NJ! Badger said his expen
ses were IS 900 more per annum Than his com
pensation as member Of the Senate. Mr.. Clay
ton said his pay was about equal TO that of one OF
the pages of the Senate The bill was then post
poned, and the Judicial Reform bill resumed.
House In Committee of the Whole on the
Pacific Railroad bill, Mr.. Chandler replied TO the
Know Nothing speech Of Mr. Banks, who, he
said, had made sotne special and incnlpatory re-
marks regarding the Roman Catholic Church. o!
which Mr.. e. is member. He clearly and dis
tncty denied that the power of the Pope extends
one grain beyond his spiritual relations, or Dfrin
ges in the least degree on the duty which any Ro-
man Catholic on es to the government under which
he lives.
Mr. Coke argued to show that the wing party
was not dissolved. He spoke against the Admin
is,ration. and ccnieAded that the Americans have
the right IN manage prlitics in their own way
to exclude Roman Catholics from office, and TO ex
tend the term OF naturalization.
FRIpAy.-Senafe- Toucey, Of CeInecti
cut. announced The death Of Senator Norris Of New
Hampshire, and delivered euIogy upon his char
actor. Mr. Cass also delivered an address. The
usual resolutions were adopted, and the Senate
adjourned.
House-The death Of Mr.. Norris was announc
cd. and after addresses by MIR. Morrison. of New
Hampshire. Mr.. Chandler, and MIR. Bayiy, the
House adjourned to Monday.