Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-20
THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
SENATE.
MONDAY, February 10, 1855.

- bENAIG.
MONDAY, February 10, 1855.
PACIFIC RAILxoAD.
Mr.. GWIN moved to suspend the prior orders
to take up the Pacific railroad bill
Mr.. CHASE thought the first business was the
unfinished business Of yesterday, the bill giving
an extension OF three years credit on railroad
iron. A ~
Mr.. CLAY was quite anxious, as . Senator from
Ohio, to have that bill disposed Of; but AZ there
was an understanding with the advocates Of the
Pacific railroad bill that If the measure were per
mitted to be taken up to-day, they would lend their
aid in getting up the bill alluded to by the Senator
from Ohio, Mr.. CHASE, he would feel it as some-
what of violation of that understanding TO vote
against the motion Of Mr.. GwM.
The Pacific railroad bill was then taken up and
discussed until after 4, +. NJ, Messrs. RUSK,
GWIN, SEWARD, CHASE, BELL, TOUCEY,
and others advocating and Messrs. CLAYTON,
and other opposing.
An amendment offered by Mr.. FEssEEDEN, to the
effect that the gauge on said road should not be
less than IL feet, was agreed to.
Mr.. MASON moved to strike out the third sec
ton, and TO insert in lieu thereof
"That all proposals that may be received under
the provisions of the preceding section shall be re-
ported by the said Secretaries to Congress, recon-
mending such, II any, as in their opinion, should
be accepted" sE rg@
The question was taken on the adoption of the
amendment and decided in the negative-yeas q,
nays 20.
The bill was reported to the Senate, and, on the
question, Shall the bill pass 7" it was decided in
the affrmative--yeas "a, nays 81.
The title was 80 amended as to read !" A bill to
authorize the construction ola northern southern,
and a central Pacific railroad and magnetic tele-
graph through the Territories Of the United
Statesn
The bill from the House making appropriations
for the transportation of the United States mails
by ocean steamers and otherwise, during the fiscal
year ending the 30th June, 1865, and the 30th
June, 1856, was read by its title and referred to
the Committee on Finance.
CREDIT ON RAILROAD IRON. tH
The bill to give credit of three years on iron
imported for railroad purposes, was taken up, and
it's further consideration postponed until tomorrow
The Senate then proceeded to the consideration
of Executive business, and after some time spent
therein adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
HOUR OF MEETING.
On motion of Mr.. ETHERIDGE, under suspen-
sion of the rules
Resolued, That after this day the hour Of the
daily meeting Of this House be II o'clock, A. M.
CIVIL AND DIPLOMATIC BILL.
On motion of Mr.. HAVEN, the House then went
into Committee of the Whole on the state of the
Union, (Mr. HIBBARD, of New Hampshire, in the
chair, and resumed the consideration Of the bill
making appropriations for the civil and diplomatic
expenses Of the government for the year ending
the 30th June, 1855, and for other purposes
Mr. FAULKNER moved that the said bill be set
aside, and that the committee take up the Army
Appropriation bill, with the amendments of the
Senate thereto.
Tba LAD he ,nt;n foPn II
Mr.. FAULKNER appealed from this decision,
when the Chair was sustained.
Various amendments were then proposed to the
bill under consideration by several Of the commit
tees which were agreed to.
Mr. SELLERS moved as an amendment the
French Spoliation bill vetoed by the President. He
trusted that every friend Of the veto power would
stand by him, for never had there been 80 deadly
blow struck at that power as that aimed at tby the
President Of the United States in his veto message
The CHAIRMAN ruled that as the amendment
provided for the settlement of private claims it
was not in order as an amendment to the bill be-
fore the committee
Mr. SELLERS appealed from the decision of the
Chair.
Mr.. SEYMOUR said that he was friend Of the
French spolation bill but as this amendment was
clearly out of order, he thought it his duty to
vote in favor of sustaining the decision of the
Chair.
Mr. KERR was as much in favor of the French
Spoliation bill as any member of the House, but re-
garded the amendment of the gentleman from
Maryland out of order. Even If he did not so re-
gard it he would not vote to put i in the civil and
diplomatic bill because they might thus force the
President to veto ii, in which case the wheels. Of
the Government would be stopped.
Mr.. MAXWELL was also in favor of the French
Spoliation bill but deeming this amendment out
of order, he should vote to sustain the Chair
A protracted discussion then ensued on the de-
cision Of the Chair; when the question was put,
''Shall the decision of the Chair stand the judg
ment Of the committee 7" and ii was decided in the
affirmative Ayes l08, noes not counted.
Mr.. CRAIGE moved to amend the bill by insert
ing therein m appropriation of 100000 for the
continuation Of the Treasury building, TO be eI-
pended under the direction Of the President, ac-
cording to the plan proposed by Thomas U. Wal
ter, architect, and approved Of by the Committees
of the Senate and House on Public Buildings and
Grounds at the last session of Congress. Mr.. c.
said that nearly every Administration which had
into power since the erection Of the Treasury
building had recommended It's completion, and
during the last session the State Department COM
planned that the archives Of the Government were
almost in adilapdated condition in consequence Of
the crowded state Of the rooms in which they were
kept To complete the building on the plan pro-
posed would require about 5000, 900.
Pending the question on the amendment the
committee rose. ~
Mr.. DAVIS, Of Indiana, asked consent to report,
from the Committee on the District OF Columbia,
bill to organize an asylum for the insane Of the
army, navy, and District Of Columbia.
Objection was made. .a
Mr.. DAVIS moved suspension of the rules.
Pending which the House adjourned
SENATE.
TuranIy Fcbruarv On JeE6