Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1855-01-23
CONGRESSlONAL SUMMARY.
sysrHTq THIRD COHGRRss-- EooED sEssI0E.

ordered to be printed.
Nr. WELLER submitted reso1Eton directing
the Secretary of War to inform the Senate what
progress has been made by that department IN
the decnces at the harbor Of Califor-
MIA and what is the present condition oil said Work
The Senate considered and passed the joint reso-
luton in relation sending relief TO the Arctic e1-
l,elition under command Of DR.. F. X Kane, ami the
bill to amend act TO establish land district in
the State OF Florida, to be called tue district OF
Tampa
The House hill making appropriations for the
transportation OF the United States mails by ocean
steamers and otherwise, during the fiscal year end
ing the aoth of June 1850, was taken up on motion
by Mr.. Hunter, and debated at some length by
Messrs. Mason Weller, Brown, TOncy, and Others
after which, ON motion by Mr. Rusk, the bill was IN
definitely postponed.
The bill to amend and modify the judicial sys-
TEN of the United States then taken up, and
sundry amendments were adopted; after which the
further consideration OF the subject was postponed
until tomorrow.
After considering and passing the joint resolution
In relation to the ithographing, engraving, &C. OF
the maps and charts required by Congress- the Sen
alto went into executive session, and, after some
time adjourned.
On MoxDAf the Speaker laid before the House
communications from tie Secretary Of State, the
Secretary of War, the Secretary of the INTERIOR and
the Secretary OF the Treasury tanning statements
Of expenditures made and estimates OF approprla-
tOus needed which were ordered be printed and
appropriately referred.
Three bills were introduced making appropria-
tons for the improvement of the Ohio and Aissis-
sppi rivers and Boston harbOr in the State of Sias-
slchusettE which were severally read the first and
second times and referred to the Committee ON Com
u;GrCc.
Mr. LETCHER from the select committee up
pointed investigate into the conduct of patentees
in obtaining renewed of their patents, submitted
resolution to enable that committee 10 compel the
attendance of W. B. Chase WHO has twice disregard
ed the of the sergeant-at-arms, to give in
his testimony with regard to tue extension of Col.
Colts patent; which, after being discussed by Messrs
TnfcI Rail md t,au NncN nnn oh
until tomorrow.
The House then. as in Committee on the Whole,
proceeded to the consideration of the Paciic-rail-
road bill, when Mr.. Stephens made speech in de-
fence of the South and in reply to the speech made
the other day by Mr.. Campbell.
Mr.. BOYCE followed with speech against the
acquisition of Cuba. The committee then rose, and
the House took recess until o'clock, p. NJ
During the evening session, the Committee of the
Whole House resumed the consideration of the Pa
cifc-raroad bill, and Mr.. Smith, of Alabama, made
know nothing speech, advocating the repeal of our
naturalization laws and the exclusion of all for
eigners from the ballOt-bOx He followed By
Dir Hamilton, who addressed himself to the subject
before the Heuse for consideratIon-the Pacihc-ra-
road bill-and made q constitutional argument
against it.
Mr.. BENTON obtained the floor; and the House
adjourned to meet tomorrow Mt ii o'clock A NJ
On TUESDAY the Chair laid before the Senate
message from the President of the United States
transmitting report of the Secretary OF State Civ:
ing the names of the ministers charges G&nirs and
secretaries Of legation of the United States appoint
ed since the 4th of March, ls49 together with the
dates Of their commissions, &c.; which was ordered
to be printed.
Mr. SEWARD presented several petitions numer-
ousIy signed by citizens of the State of New York.
in favor of granting additional relief TO the soldiers
of the of 1912.
Mr.. FESSENDEN introduced a bill making ap-
preparations for the continuation and repair of GER
tain public works in the State of Maine, heretofore
commenced under authority of law.
Mr.. MALLORY submitted resolution insructing
the Committee on Naval Affairs 10 inquire and re-
port as TO the value TO commerce and navigation of
Maurys Wind and Current Charts, and upon the
justice and expediency of making suitable rcmuncr-
alton therefor agreed to-
Mr. CASS submitted resolution instructing the
Committee the Post Office and Post Roads to
inquire into the expediency of introducing into the
mail service of the United States Aliens air and
water-ght mail-bags in place of those now in use:
agreed to.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the bill
TO increase the compensation Of the Judges of Su-
preme Court and members of both houses OF Con-
gress; which discussed ut some length by Messrs.
Badger, Butler Shields, johnson, Mason, Gcyer,
Stuart Clayton aud others. The further considera-
ton of the bill was postponed until tomorrow, and,
after the consideration of executive business, the
Senate adjourned.
On TUESDAY the Speaker laid before the House
message from the President of the United States,
transmitting a report from the Attorney General
the subject of the construction OF the Minnesota
railroad which appropriately referred
Mr. BRECKENRIDGE, from the Committee of
Ways and Means reported back the Senate bill,
commonly known as the Texas bill; with certain
amendments; which, together with the substitute
proposed to be submitted by Mr.. Smyth, of Texas,
were ordered to he printed.
Mr.. SHANNON, from the Committee on Foreign
Affairs reported bill for the relief of Samuel a.
Bcidin, on account. of property destroyed by Mexi
cans referred to the Committee on Public Lands.
The House then proceeded, as in Committee OF the
Whole, to the consideration of the Pacic-railroad
BILL when Mr.. Benton made speech in favor of
Withdrawing the subject from the consideration of
Congress, and of allowing the road to be construct
cd by private enterprise
Mr.. McDOUGALL then spoke at length in reply
to the remarks of MesSrS. Benton and Hamilton and
in advocacy of the bill
After the offering of various amendments, some
of which were adopted and some rejected, Mr.. Dun
bar submitted amendment AS n substitute for the
bill; which was pending when the committee rose
and the House adjourned.
In the Senate, on WEDNESDAY, On motion by Mr..
Bayard the bill to authorize the enlargement of the
General Post Office building was taken up and pass
cd.
Mr. WADE reported a bill for the relief of James
Pool; which was read three times and passed.
Mr.. DAWSON introduced a bill making appro-
priation the removal of distractions in the Sa-
vanah river below the city of Savannah, Georgia;
which was read twice and made special order for
Mr. WELLER submitted resolution setting apart
Friday of each week during the present session, from
and after the goth instant to the consideration OF
the private calendar IN preference TO any otner Dus
The bill to increase the compensation of the judges
Of the Supreme Court and members OF both houses
of Congress was briefly discussed and laid on the
table.
The Senate then resumed the consideration Of the
bill to amend and modify the Judicial system Of the
United States. Mr.. Bell, Mr.. Chase, and others ex-
pressed their views upon the subject Mt some length
and Mr. Weller then moved that the bill and all the
proposed amendments to it be recommitted to the
Committee the Judiciary with instructions to re-
mort bill which shall relieve the judges of the Su
preme Court from the performance of all circuit du-
ties The motion not agreed to--yeas q, nays
as After refusing to adopt the amendment of Mr..
Douglass and refusing to lay the bill on the table,
the Senate adjourned without dsposing Of the sub
On WEDNESDAY the Speaker laid before the House
communication from the Hon. Rufus Ghoate tend
ering the resignation of his Office as one of the Re
gents Of the Smithsonian Institution.
Mr. MEACHAM submitted resolution to refer
the communication TO select committee Of FIVE,
whose duty shall be to investigate the matter; and
inquire whether any further legislation is necessary
carry the objects of the founders of that inst-
tunon which was agreed to-yeas 50 nays o.