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

MIR. Hunter moved to postpone all prio
business, with view to take up the Post ofic
appropriation bill, abiding to the brief spac
allowed them to get through the public busi
ness.
Inc question was taken by yeas and nays
ana carrled-yeas 80, nays H.
Inc foSt Othce appropriation bill was thel
taken up and discussed, the numerous amend
ments concurred in, and the bill read thirt
time, and passed.
The Senate took up House bill to amend tn,
act approved 26th August, 1852, entitled GAR
act to reduce and define the boundaries of the
military reservation at st. Peters river, in the
territory OF Minnesota, and for other pur
poses."
Mr.. Chase moved an amendment to the bill
pending which, the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Speaker in the chair
Inc Speaker stated that the first business il
order was the bill granting the right of way tt
the Wyandotte and Pawnee railroad through
the public lands in Kansas Territory.
Mr. Phelps offered an amendment in the ma
ture of a substitute, which extends the right o.
way to railroads through the public lands
throughout the United States; and this amend
ment was agreed to, and the bill, so amended
passed.
MIR. Disney, from the Committee on Public
Lands, reported a bill in regard to the public
lands IN Ohio, which corrects a clerical error
IN similar bill passed last session.
After motion to lay ON the table was voted
down, the bill passed.
Mr.. Seward rose to question of order, that
a committee can make but one report at a time
and that the Committee on Public Lands had
| made two or more reports.
The Speaker decided otherwise
Mr.. Disney, from the same committee, re-
ported the Senate bill granting lands to the
State of Michigan, to aid in the construction OF
certain railroads in that State, with two amend.
ments wholly explanatory, and providing for
the transportation, gratis, of all articles to be
| conveyed for the use Of the United States
| After long and desultory discussion, Mr.
| Chngman moved to lay the bill on the table
and stated that he would abolish the committee
| if he could, and that they had already consum.
ed too much of the time.
Several appeals were made to have the mo-
| ton withdrawn, to allow Mr.. Perkins to explain
| the bill, but the motion was insisted upon; and
| the yeas and nays were ordered on the motion,
which prevailed-yeas SO, nays II.
Mr.. Disney then reported the Senate bill
granting to the State of Florida public lands to
aid in the construction of certain railroads. with
an amendment.
Mr.. Maxwell, of Florida, offered an amend
ment in the nature of substitute, and
Mr.. Disney demanded the previous question.
Mr.. Jones, of Tennessee, moved to lay the
bill on the table, and to suspend the rules and
resolve into the Committee of the Whole
The motion to go into Committee was not
agreed to, and the yeas and nays were ordered
on the motion to lay the bill on the table, and
it was agreed to-yeas SO, nays sc.
Mr.. Phelps offered resolution to close all
debate upon the navy appropriation bill in FIVE
minutes after the consideration was resumed
which was adopted.
A message was then received from the Senate,
stating that they had passed resolution ac-
cepting the sword of General Jackson which
resolution, together with the sword, were brought
to the Speakers desk.
The resolution of the Senate was then read.
Messrs. Smith and ZoIlicoffer of Tennessee,
and Mr.. Benton of Missouri, each made re-
marks appropriate to the occasion.
The resolution was then read the third time
and passed.
The Committee then took up the amendments
of the Senate to the Indian appropriation BILL
AS far as acted upon, all of the amendments
were agreed tome of them with an amend
ment; but, without disposing of all of them, the
Committee took recess until seven o'clock, for
the purpose of allowing general debate.
EVENING SESSION.
The Committee resumed its session at quar-
ter-past seven o'clock, there being but few
members in attendance.
Mr.. Mayall asked and obtained leave to print
some remarks on the subject of the tariff.
Mr.. Washburn, of Maine said that when the
French spoliation bill was returned with the
objections of the President, it was his desire to
cd tha fba c,,h; h,,t@ ~,
| ton was taken on the reconsideration of the
bill without any time being allowed for its dis
cussion. He accordingly made up his mind to
| avail himself of the privilege ordinarily given
| of publishing the remarks he had intended to
make. With that view, he proceeded to read a
written speech.
| Mr.. McNair said that there had been bill
| lingering before the Honse and Senate for a
long tme he referred to the bill in behalf of the
| soldiers of the war of 1912, their widows and
orphans. He hoped the House would take up
the bill tomorrow, and pass it, and thus give
| relief to those who so much needed it.
| Mr.. Florence replied to the remarks Of Mr.
Washburn, which charged that the friends OF
the Administration applied the gag of the pre-
vious question on the vote on the reconsidera-
ton of the French spoliation bill. In conclu-
sion, he seconded the appeal of his colleague in
| behalf of the soldiers of the war of 1872.
Mr.. Davis, of Rhode Island, referred to that
provision of the old soldiers bill which exclu-
ded soldiers of Rhode Island, Massachusetts,,
and Connecticut, from the privileges therein
| conferred. He hoped this provision would be
stricken out by the House.
The Committee then rose, and reported to
the House the naval appropriation bill.
Mr.. Seward moved a suspension of the rules,
so as to enable him to move to discharge the
Al. ILL., Al e
| Union from the further consideration Of the
bill to remove the obstruction in the Savannah
| river.
Pending which, the House adjourned.
Tuesday, February p, 1855.
SENATE.
| Mr.. Rusk called up his bill to amend the law
regulating the rates of hostages This bill pro-
vides that on letters going less than 5000 miles
in the mails, the postage charge shall be three
| cents, and over that distance five cents except
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