The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-03-01
Saturday, February "a, 1855.
SENATE

Saturday, February "a, 1855.
SENATE
The Chair laid before the Senate message
from the President, accompanied by a letter
from the Minister from Peru, respecting the
Lobos Islands controversy. Read, and, on mo-
ton of Mr.. Mason, ordered to be printed. Also
message from the President, transmitting q
communication from the Secretary of the In
terror, recommending certain appropriations
Read, and referred to the Committee on Fl
nance. Also, communication from the Sec
rotary of War, transmitting a report in rela
ton to the survey of the Isthmus of Florida
Laid on the table and ordered to be printed
The diplomatic and consular bill was then
read.
Mr. Mason explained the bill, and after a
brief discussion, in which Messrs. Brown, Clay
ton, Benjamin, Badger, and others, participa-
ted, the bill was passed precisely as it came
from the House.
The bill giving additional municipal powers
to the city of Washington was slightly amend
ed, on motion of Mr.. Brown, and passed.
The bill giving the Georgetown corporation
power to levy tax to pay their subscription to
the Metropolitan Railroad, and to introduce
water and gas, was passed, after long and
desultory discussion.
resolution was offered, requiring the Com
mittee on Commerce to inquire into the expe-
diency of increasing the salaries of steamboat
inspectors at Wheeling and Nashville; and an
other, directing the Secretary of the Navy to
contract for FIVE years for water-rotted hemp
another, for printing 10000 copies of the re-
ports of surveys of the railroad to the Pacific ;
for the report of Mr.. Louden, civil engineer, OF
the survey railroad route from Puget Sound by
Fort Hall and Great Salt Lake, to the Missis-
sippi river; and the report of John c. Fremont,
of railroad route from the head-waters of the
Arkansas river into the State of California, to-
gether with the maps and plats accompanying
the respective papers.
Mr.. Seward presented the petition of G. Lud-
wig Richter, for an appropriation to him, to
erect bronze monument to commemorate
Thomas Jefferson.
Mr.. Gwin presented petition for a revival
of the act of February 23d, 1854, being sup
Elementary act to ascertain and settle private
land claims in California.
The civil and diplomatic appropriation bill
came from the House, embodying tariff bill
which was read twice, and referred to the Com
mittee on Finance, and ordered to be printed.
The other orders of business were postponed,
to take up special orders for appropriations for
harbors. These have been heretofore detailed,
and passed to-day after brief discussion.
Mr.. Seward introduced bill amending the
judicial system, so that subsequent term of a
Federal court can complete unfinished business
OF the preceding term, without de moro eHami-
nation of the case. Passed.
J. Mr.. Stuart moved to take up the swamp land
bill, and consider the report of the committee
of conference thereon. Refused.
Mr.. Gwin moved to take up the bill for forti
flying portion of the Pacific. Refused.
Mr.. Slidell moved bill fortifying landing in
Louisiana, and appropriating therefor 1925, 900
Passed
Mr.. Toombs moved to take up the District
Judiciary bill, which was discussed ; and while
Mr.. Toucey was speaking, the Senate adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mr.. Giddings rose to question of privilege
reading a protest against passing important
measures without until recently unknown to
American legisation) afording consideration
and discussion; and without members being
acquainted with the facts involved, as was the
case yesterday in the passage of the bill appro-
priating $4,000, to carry into effect the trea-
ty between the United States and Great Brit
ain, concluded February 9Th, 1853, on the sub
ject of claims. He said he was neither per-
mitted to express his dissent to the BILL nor
enter his name on the record He asked that
his protest be printed on the journal
The Speaker said he knew of no rule which
authorized the entry.
Mr. Giddings respectfully appealed from the
decision of the Chair.
Mr.. Orr moved to lay the appeal on the table.
Mr.. Giddings asked his friends, as personal
favor, to give him the yeas and nays.
The appeal was tabed-yeas 1877, nays 46.
Mr.. Disney proposed reporting from the Com
mittee on Public Lands batch of railroad
bills, and having the vote taken without de-
bate.
Mr.. Hamilton objected wishing them to be
examined.
Mr.. Disney replied, they were all alike in
principle and only differed as to location.
The House acted on the amendments to the
civil and diplomatic appropriation bill, concur
ring in all reported from the Committee of the
Whole on the state of the Union, except that
appropriating $4,000 for providing hospital
and medical attendance for American seamen
at or near Havana-yeas -, nays III.
Mr.. Letcher's tariff amendments were con-
Cured in-yeas l26, nays 81.
The navy appropriation bill was considered in
Committee. 1t appropriates nearly 5000, 900,
of which So, 000,0 900 are for the six new steam
frigates and $250,000 toward the completion
of the Stevens war steamer.
Noquorum being present at four o'clock, the
House adjourned.
Monday, February 26, 1855.
SENATE
Mr. Mallory called up the naval reform bill
of the House.
| Mr.. Pratt nronosod o., o,r.o~J,,o,. ,1loo; N n