Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-27
SENATE.
TUESDAY, February II, 1855.

TUESDAY, February ~, 1900.
A message was received from the President re-
specting the Red river raft
MIR. MASON presented resolution of inquiry
into the expectancy of erecting custom-house
and post Office at Alexandra. Referred to Com
mittee on Commerce
Messrs MASON, SEWARD, ADAMS, and FEs-
SENDEN introduced petitions of private nature.
Mr. PETIT, from the Committee on Commerce,
reported bill for the relief Of Isaac S. Smith and
John r. Bold; which was passed
Mr. RUSK called up the bill entitled I" An act
to amend an act entitled an act to amend the rates
Of POSTAGE" to which he offered several amend
ments.
This bill provides that for letters going less
than 5000 miles, the postage should be three
cents and over that distance it shall be five cents
except where postal treaties with other countries
shall prevent
Mr.. RUSK also offered amendments, providing
that after the LIST of January 1885, all letters shall
be prepaid, and that done with stamps; also, that
letters containing money can be registered, SO as
to show that they have been sent, but, in no in
stance, to make the department. responsible for
them.
The amendments were adopted and the bill
passed
Mr.. JOHNSON made personal explanation re-
specting the committee Of conference in relation to
the swamp land bill
Mr.. SLIDELL spoke on the same subject
Mr.. STUART answered the arguments Of Mr..
JOHNSON explaining the course pursued by him.
Messrs. BROWN, SEWARD, and BENJAMIN
engaged in the discussion, the last gentleman
speaking when we left.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The SPEAKER in the chair.
A communication from the Interior Department
transmitting the report of the Commissioner of
Pensione, stating the amount of public lands
,.xoIk H., L. H..
gress, was laid on the table and ordered to be
printed.
Mr.. FULLER, Of Maine, moved that the slight
amendment made by the Senate, to the bill author
izing the purchase of four additional revenue cut
tiers, be concurred in by this House; which was
agreed to.
At the suggestion of the SPEAKER private bill
also slightly amended by the Senate, was concur
red in.
Mr.. Stewards motion to suspend the rules to
enable him to move to discharge the Committee of
the Whole, from the further consideration of the
BILL to distractions in the Savannah river,
which was pending yesterday when the House adj
journed, being taken up,
Mr.. PHELPS called for division, and the yeas
and nays being ordered, the motion was disagreed
to-yeas SO, nays &c. two-thirds being necessary.
Mr. PHELPS, of Missouri, withdrew his motion
to recommt the Navy Appropriation bill, and
moved the previous question, which was seconded,
and the bill was passed without division.
Mr.. HOUSTON, from the Committee of Ways
and Means, reported the usual fertilization bill,
with single amendment; upon which the previ-
Gus question demanded, and the bill passed.
Mr. EDMUNDSON introduced private bill !;
which was also passed unanimously.
On motion of Mr.. LATHAM, the Senate bill es-
tabshng circuit court in the State Of California
was taken up, the rules being suspended for that
purpose, and the bill passed without division.
Mr. MIDDLESWARTH moved to suspend the
rules TO take up and consider the bounty land bill,
giving land to the soldiers of the war of 1872
A most desutory and noisy discussion ensued,
and loud cries of order pervaded the hall; amidst
which the yeas and nays were demanded and or
dered upon the motion to suspend the rules, which
the House agreed to-yeas l26, nays 81.
Mr.. PHELPS called for the reading Of the re-
port of the Commissioner of Pensions made in
answer to the House resolution, enquiring how
many acres of land would be absorbed by the pas
sage Of this bill. Upon objection, the House voted
that the report be read
This report showed that %, Is 900 acres would
be required to carry out the provisions Of this BILL
In regard to those who actually served in battle,
while IL all were included who served fourteen
days, the amount required would be about 20o,-
600, 900 acres.
Mr. LETCHER submitted slight amendment,
which was accepted by Mr.. MIDDLESWARTH.
Mr. JONES, of Tenn, offered amendment to
the bill, which was not agreed to.
Mr. COBB desired TO offer an amendment, and
another stormy discussion ensued which was
stopped by
Mr. EDGERToN, who moved to lay the whole
matter on the table; and the yeas and nays were
being taken this motion when our report closed.