Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-03-04
G0naressional.
THlRTY-THIRD CONGRESS.

SECOND SESSION.

/ SECOND SESSION.
Senate.--Saturday, March 3, 1855.
After passing a few private bills the Senate
proceeded 10 the consideration Of the civil and
diplomatic appropriation bill. Mr.. HUNTER APP
| peaied TO the Senate TO permit amendments tina,
were unobjectonableto be adopted, reserving those
| for subsequent discussion that We're controverted
| This he deemed necessary IN the emergency in
| which they were placed. Many amendments
were offered and adopted, embracing great va.
| riely of subjects, among which was one for the
regulation of judicial fees in Territories, for the
erection of marine hospitals, and for the appoint
| ment Of consul general at the British North
| American Provinces, with salary OF four thou.
sand dollars, for the purpose OF carrying out the
| reciprocity treaty. An amendment for the cree
| ton of custom-houses and post Offices at numer-
Gus points was offered by Mr.. SEWARD, from the
| Committee on Commerce, and additions TO il were
| sought TO be made by individual Senators. The
| amendment was adopted Other items TO Increase
the compensation Of weghers, measurers, and
| guagers in the custom-house at New York, and
other officers Of the government elsewhere, were
also inserted.
committee Of conference on the disagreeing votes
OF The two Houses on the bill making appropria-
tons for the support of the army, and il was con-
Cured in.
| The post route bill was, by unanimous consent,
| allowed TO be taken up, read twice, considered,
ton bill was then again considered, and the COM
mittees were called in their orderfo amendments,
| and those offered were very numerous.
II was past one o'clock before the bill was re-
ported to the Senate, and crest approximations
were felt that there would not be time left to dis
/ pose Of all the amendments between the two
/ Houses and enroll the bill The amendments
| made as in Committee Of the Whole were con-
Cured in en- masse, they were ordered to be en-
crossed and the bill was read the third time. and
passed.
| The bill making appropriations for the naval
service for the next fiscal year was taken up and
Mr.. GwIN proceeded 10 offer amendments from
| the Committee on Naval Affairs, and great num-
| Der were adopted. Mr.. MALLORY submitted, as
/ an amendment the House bill for the construction
| Of seven new steamers, but it was rejected. Mr.
| BELL offered an amendment TO appropriate $50,
| 900 for the Memphis navy-yard, on the condition
that the municipal government OF Memphis,
| should retrocede il TO the General Government.
There appears TO be some doubt as 10 the owner
ship Of that property, Congress having ceded it
| 10 the city of Memphis, but that city refused TO
| receive it.
| The amendment was adopted. An amendment
was offered to make provision for the Texas navy,
and it was agreed 10. In consequence of the
4 veto of the bill appropriatng for the Collins line
| Of steamers, Mr.. CLAYTON offered an amendment
| to pay Messrs. Collins and company the amount
| that is now due TO them; but he withdrew II on
an assurance being given by Mr.. HUNTER and
| Mr. STUART, that MEMBER OF the COmmlttee on
/ Finance would submit amendment 10 cover
| that matter.
| Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee, submitted an amend
| ment directing contract 10 be entered into with
/ Mr.. Vanderbilt, for sem-monthy mail from
New York TO Liverpool and back, at $4,000 the
round trip, TO be performed in the average ascer-
tanned time. Ii was rejected by minority of 80
| toS
| Mr.. SEWARD offered, as an amendment, the
vetoed bill with the parts omitted which were OBJ
jectionabe 10 the President of the United States
and il was agreed TO. Ii simply appropriales the
| pay due, without repeating the power 10 give no.
| tice 10 terminate the contract.
| Other amendments having been adopted, the bill
was reported TO The Senate, and all the amead-
| ments were concurred in, except that which APP
propriates for the Memphis navy-yard-the vote
being taken, il was concurred in Also
While the important appropriation bills were
under consideration from time 10 time, the pend
| ing question was suspended 10 receive messages
| from the President of the United States and the
House Of Representatives and 10 sign bills which
| had passed both Houses.
After passing several private bills, the Senate,
| at four o'clock, took a recess till seven.
EVENING SESSION.
During the evening session, and up TO the hour
Of adjournment, to-day, at few minutes 10 twelve
| o'clock, the Senate were occupied in manner
similar 10 the House, acting on the disagreeing
| amendments TO the various appropriation bills,
etc. Occasionally, The body would so into Exc
cutive session.
The President pro tempare adjourned the Senate
| sine die