The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-02-15
CONGRESS-.
rnIRrY-rHrRD coNGREss-srcoxD SESSION.
Wednesday, February Z, 1855.
SENATE

Wednesday, February Z, 1855.
II SENATE
The Senate discussed, and then postponed
till tomorrow, the further consideration of the
bill to establish circuit court for the district
of California.
The next bill taken up was one for the
improvement of the Patapsco river, which was
under consideration at the adjournment yes
terday. 1t is proposed by this bill to appro-
pirate 100000.
Mr.. Pearce moved to reduce the appropria-
ton to $4,000; which was agreed to, and the
bill was passed.
Additional river and harbor improvement
bills were introduced for continuing the improve
ments of the Hudson river, New ork, &C., most
of which were passed, and the Senate adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
On motion of Mr.. Craige, the Senate bill for
the enlargement Of the Post Office building was
taken from the table, and referred to the Com
mitteee on Public Buildings and Grounds.
t The House resolved itself into Committee
of the Whole on the state Of the Union, (Mr.
Hendricks in the chair
The object of Mr.. Breckenridge was to take
up and dispose of the Senate bill to provide for
the payment of such creditors of the late Repub.
lie of Texas as are comprehended in the act Of
Congress of September 9, 1850.
Mr. McMullen addressed the Committee in
reply to the remarks delivered yesterday by Mr..
Smyth, and, in conclusion, alluded, not to the
gentleman from Ohio, Mr.. Giddings, who, he
said, beloved so loudly but to his sleekheaded
colleague, meaning General Taylor, who had
spoken in favor of the bill. Laughter
Mr. Taylor, coming into the Hall at the time,
retorted by saying he would rather have a
sleek head than a block-head. Renewed laugh
ter.
Mr. McMullen said he intended nothing per-
sonally offensive by the remark, and no one
ought to have known that better than the gentle
man from Ohio. He made use of the express
sion to produce little levity. Neither he nor
the gentleman ought to complain. If both
their heads were united, they would not produce
more brains than are sufficient for one common
head Laughter.
Mr.. Taylor. With great pleasure he took
back all that he had said, after the personal ex-
PLANTATION of the gentleman. He thought neither
he nor the gentleman, nor the whole House, had
more brains than the country demanded at their
hands. Prolonged laughter.
Mr. Breckenridge moved that the enacting
clause of the bill be stricken out, with a view
of getting the bill out of Committee, and not to
smother it.
The question was taken, and decided in the
affirmative.
The Committee rose, but the House refused to
confirm this action of the Committee.
Mr.. Breckenridge moved to strike out all
after the enacting clause of the bill, and to insert
the Senate bill, as amended by the Committee
of Ways and Means.
Mr.. Jones, of Tennessee, moved to strike
therefrom the sum of SIS, 50O,00O proposed to
be appropriated, and to insert $6,550,000.
The question was taken, and decided in the
afhrmative-yeas l20, nays 81.
The Senate bill, as amended, was then passed
yeas l54, nays AZ.
Instead Of $4,000, 900 as proposed by the
Senate, it appropriates S6,55O,OOO.
Mr.. Houston moved that the House resolve
itself into Committee of the Whole on the
state of the Union, giving notice that if the mo-
ton should prevail, he would move to take up
the bill for the reduction of the tariff.
Mr. Boyce inquired whether he would regard
the vote as test question.
Mr.. Houston replied in the affirmative.
The House went into Committee-yeas l04,
nays 81
Mr.. Houston moved that the tariff bill be
taken up.
Mr.. Robbins moved that the House proceed
to the consideration of the civil and diplomatic
appropriation bill.
This latter motion was agreed to.
But before proceeding with the subject, the
Committee rose, and the House adjourned.