The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1855-01-10
CONGRESSIONAL
WAsHrNaroN, Jan.

CUNGhESS1OM AL.
WAsHINaroN, Jan. q
/ HoUsE.-Mr. Douglas explained an
amendment to prevent any person who
has not declared his Intention to become
a citizen of the United States from
claiming presumption lands under the
present law. Foreigners of all coiors
can avail themselves Of its provisions. :
Mr.. Wads appealed to his colleague
not to persevere with his amendment, as
it would open discussion on the Know
Nothing question.
Mr.. Douglas wishes to favor preemp-
ton as a prior advantage to native-born
and to those who have declared their in
~tention to become citizens.
The bill and amendment were finally
committed to the committee on Public
Lands, message was received from
the President giving reasons for yetoing
the River and Harbor Bill Owing to
tho late day at which the bill was receiv-
ed, 1t became necessary to state his OBJ
jections, announcing at the same time his
purpose to resume the object for more
deliberate discussion at the present Ses-
sion of Congress. He comedies that the
two Houses of Congress are entitled to
an expression of the considerations which
induced him to dissent from their con
illusions. No such expression as " inter
nal improvements " is found in the Con-
stitution, and it has not sufficient mean
ing to be of any value. He proceeds to
examine the various clauses in that in
strurlent, under which power for a sys-
| fnr1 nfInfarno ,~ -
and comes to the conclusion that there
is no such specific power for such works,
and no provision broad enough to cover
them Congress can only construct
such works as may be necessary to carry
out the specific plan of improvement or
navy ability of rivers and harbors neces-
sary for military or naval purposes
The message is q long one, and the Pres
ident concludes by urging the policy of
confirming appropriations by general
Government, to works neeesssrygto be
constructed, and leaving all others to
individual enterprise, or to separate
States, to be provided for Gu. of their re-
sources, or by a recurrence to the pro-
visions of the Constitution, which au-
thorize Congress to give their consent
for improvement of haFbers.
Mr.. Ravens moved that it be refer
red to the committee of the whole, and
it was SO referred. as Sc e
Mr.. Wentworth, of Massachusetts,, re-
ported a bill, preventing the introduc-
ton into the u. s.. of foreign criminals
and paupers. Committed to the Com
mittee on Commerce. 4 $50 ,
The House adjourned. :
WAsHINGTeN, Jan. A.
SENATE.-Mr. Sumner presented a
memorial fron Massachusetts, setting
forth the evils of foreign emigration, and
praying for a head tax of not less than
$3.50 upon every foreigner arriving in
this country. Referred.
The Heuse bill relative to the SETTLE
ment of land claims in California was
passed without debate.
The consideration of the bounty Land
Bill was then resumed.
HoUsE-Mr. Wheeler presented q
memorial in relation to certain floating
lights at the mouth New York Harbor.
On motion the Presidents message
relating to re-establishment of the Navy
Yard was referred toa Special Commit
tee.
The House then went into q commit
tee of the whole on the Bill for the relief
of settlers on swamps and overlooked
lands. Fe d I'D ~ bsT
WASHINGTON, jan A..
SENATE.-Mr. Smnrr presented q
memorial from citizens of Massaehu-
sets, sitting forth the evils resulting
from emigration, and particularly from
Roman Catholics, asking Congress for
a head tax OF not less than $3.50 on each
foreigner arriving in the country. Re-
ferred to the Committee on the Judi
ciary. On motion of Mr.. Gwin, the
bill continuing the California land COM
mission, which passed the House yester-
day, was taken up and passed without
debate.
The consideration of Mr.. Brodhead's
bounty land bill was resumed.
The amendment of Mr. Dodge, of
Iowa, to Mr.. Clayton's amendment, pro-
posing 800 acresas the maximum guam
tity in one tract, and $40 acres IN one
township, was taken up and adopted
yeas "a, nays Is.
MI. FenJOn Oil lOr Gull
tinuing the improvements of the harbor
of Dunkirk.zReferred to the Commit
the on Commerce
The House then went into Commit
tee, and took up the bill for the relief
of purchasers and locaters of swamp and
oyerfowed lands.
The bill then passed
After the committee rose, the bill
was passed and the House adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Jan, 4
The Democrats member of both Hou-
SEES met in caucus in the Hallsof Repre-
sentatives to consider the recommenda-
ton ofthe Secretary of-the Treasury to
revise the present tariff. Mr.. Toucey
took the chair. Mr.. Barksdale elected
Secretary. A resolution of the follow