The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-03-01
Wednesday, February 81, 1855.
SENATE


A resolution was passed, altering the daily
hour of meeting from twelve to eleven O'Clock,
until otherwise ordered.
The Senate concurred in the report of the
Joint committee of conference on the disagree
ing amendments to the Texas debt bill.
The bill to extend to railroad companies
credit on iron imported was again taken up.
Many amendments were offered and discussed !;
they were designed to make more stringent regu-
lations for securing the objects contemplated.
The debate was continued until the hour of
adjournment.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Mr.. Fuller reported bill regulating the carry
ing of passengers in steamships or otherwise,
and, after explanation by him, it was passed
Mr.. Breckenridge, from the joint committee
of conference on the disagreeing votes of the
two Houses on the amendments to the bill pro-
viding for the payment of such creditors of the
late Republic of Texas as are comprehended in
the act of Congress of September 8, 1850, made
a report thereon which was read.
He said he did not intend to detain the House
with speech. By the report it would be seen
that the Senate receded from all its amendments,
except the sum. The amount proposed, origi-
nally, by that body, was $S,500,000. The House
reduced this 60 $5,650,000. The Senate receded
to the extent of $4,000, and the report Of the
committee recommended $7,750,000. The
amendment of the House, requiring Texas to
abandon all her claims, was retained in the bill.
After a long, patient, and deliberate investiga-
ton of the entire subject, they felt justified in
recommending this adjustment. He repeated
his firm belief, that the proposed adjustment
was the best possible one for the United States,
considering the perplexity of the question. 1t
would cost us an infinitely larger sum, should
Congress not do what is now recommended
Mr.. Haven, member of the committee, also
made an explanation of the action of the COM
mittee of conference, and the views of the ques-
ton as taken by the committee, as shown by
the report.
Messrs. Giddings and Campbell both partci-
pated in a discussion with Mr.. Howe, in which
the whole matter of the annexation of Texas
and the paying of her debts were made the sub
jects of animadversion by the two former gen.
tlemen, during which several gentlemen rose to
call for order, and some confusion prevailed
Mr.. Howe demanded the previous question.
Mr.. Haven desired to express his opinion
upon the bill.
Mr.. Washburne, Of Illinois, did not like to
have two speeches made in favor of the report,
and the gag applied by the previous question
to all speeches against it, and moved to lay the
report on the table.
Mr.. Hamilton renewed the motion to lay on
the table, Mr.. Washburne having withdrawn it,
and demanded the yeas and nays; which were
ordered.
The motion to lay on the table was disagreed
to-yeas 46, nays 1919.
Mr.. Haven then resumed his request for the
withdrawal Of the demand for the previous
question, wishing an opportunity to set himself
right upon the bill.
Mr.. Howe declined to withdraw it.
The previous question was then seconded, and
the main question was ordered on the adoption
of the report of the committee.
The report of the committee was adopted by
vote of 1913 yeas, to n nays.
Mr.. Cobb, from the Committee on Public
Lands, reported bill granting lands to Ala
bama, in aid of the construction Of certain rail-
roads in that State, and explained its provis.
ions.
Mr.. Abercrombie likewise showed the advan-
tages which would accrue not only to Alabama,
but to the General Government, by making the
grant.
Pending the consideration of the subject, the
House resolved itself into Committee of the
Whole on the state of the Union, Mr.. IIibbard
in the chair,) and resumed the consideration of
the civil and diplomatic appropriation bill.
Various amendments were acted on.
The Committee rose, and the House adjourn
ed.