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

the consideration of the invalid pension bill
reported from the Committee on Finance, with
a recommendation that the Senate concur in TIE
House amendments to the Senate amendments
of the bill.
Mr.. Hamlin hoped the Senate would not con.
cur in the report of the Committee on Finance
but insist upon its former amendments The
House amendments, however, were agreed to
which passes the bill.
Mr.. Clay called up the bill extending the
credit on duties on railroad iron.
Mr.. Pearce opposed the bill. He did not like
to depart from our revenue system, to grant
temporary relief to railroad companies, and
protract the time when we shall manufacture
better and cheaper iron than we can get abroad
American railroad iron is now eighteen per
cent. better than foreign. We injure, by this
bill, the establishments for the manufacture OF
railroad iron in this country. These amount to
a considerable number, and some of them are
very extensive.
After further discussion by Messrs Bell,
Cooper, Brodhead, Toucey, Bayard, Clay, Wells,
Seward Chase; Stuart, and others, the bill was
passed-yeas rs, nays Is.
The consideration of the bill providing for a
final settlement of the claims of officers of the
revolutionary army, and of the widows and
orphans of those who died in the service, was
resumed. After being amended verbally, it
was passed-yeas &c, nays Is.
The Chair laid before the Senate a report
from the Secretary of the Treasury, in relation
to the erection of building for the accom-.
mod OF the custom-house and other public
ofiG ~ Cleveland, Ohio.
Tue House bill authorizing the purchase or
construction of four additional revenue cutters
was considered and passed.
The bill providing for holding United States
courts in the Northern and Southern districts of
Florida, in case of the sickness or disability of
either of the judges of the districts was passed.
The House bill respecting collection district
in Oregon was discussed, during which much
sharp shooting on points of order took place,
when, on motion of Mr. Dawson, no quorum
being present, the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The report of the joint committee of confer
ence on the disagreeing amendments of both
Houses to the bill for the relief of the purchasers
and locators on swamp and overhowed lands
was adopted.
A bill was passed, organizing the District of
Columbia Insane Institution.
Mr.. Middleswarth Intellectually appealed to
take up and pass the Senate bill giving addition
al lands to the soldiers of the war of 1872. The
birthday of Washington, he said, would thus be
periodically commemorated. He gave notice
that he would, on Tuesday next, move the con-
sideration of that bill.
The bill granting lands to Alabama, in aid of
railroads in that State, was tabled-yeas 81,
nays Is.
The House then went into Committee on the
civil and diplomatic appropriation BILL
Among the amendments adopted was an
appropriation of $4,000 to enable the Presi-
dent to provide convenient accommodations
and medical assistance for sick and disabled
American seamen, at or near Havana, with the
assent of the Government having the iurisdic-
ton of the country.
The sum of 100000 was appropriated, to
put cast-iron dome to the Capitol.
An amendment appropriating $4,000 for
the continuance of the Washington aqueduct
was rejected.
Mr.. Edgerton offered an amendment refund
ing the duties paid on railroad iron permanent
ly laid down between June 30th, 1853, aud
July lst, 1856, and admitting dyes, dyewoods,
dyestuffs, and unmanufactured woods, free.
The Chairman ruled it out of order, on the
ground that it proposed radical change of the
revenue laws. His decision was sustained
yeas rs, nays GS.
Mr.. Walbridge offered an amendment admit
ting coal duty free. Ruled out of order
MIR. Cobb proposed one extending for four
years the time for the payment of duty on rail
road iron. Ruled out of order
The Committee then rose.
Mr.. May, from the select committee on the
subject, reported joint resolution appropriating
100000 for the completion of the Washington
National Monument. Many gentlemen desired
to put it on its passage, but several objections
were made, and the House adjourned.