The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-05-17
In CONGRESS OF THE U. STATES
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 1856.


Ea.F
e e SENATE. #,H #6s
sEAoRIALs, PETITIONS Erc.
Mr.. THOMSON, of New Jersey, presented the memorial
Of Lieut. Carter praying compensation for carrying
the Brazilian minister and family in the Msssachu
setts rom Valparaiso to Rio Jsnero 10 1852 at the request
Of the American minister and Of the commander Of the
American squadron which referred 10 the Committee
on Naval Affairs
Mr. WRIGHT presented petition from citizens Of New
Jersey praying the adoption of measures for the prompt
construction Of railroad to the Paciic ocean which
ordered to lilo on the table.
The bill for the relief Of James Davidson of Kentucky
was taken up, read third time, and passed
N REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES
Mr.. FOOT, from the Committee on Public Lands, to
whom were referred memorials from citizens of several
States praying modification Of the bouny-and law Of
1866 admit paro evidence Of military service ask
I'd 70 be discharged from the further consideration OF the
sane, ~ the COMMITTEES had reported amendatory act
upon that subject which had already become law The
Mr. from the same committee to whom were referred
sundy individual petitions praying for bounty lands by
special act and setting forth that their applications had
been rejected at the Pension Office for the OF record
evidence asked to be discharged from the further consider
alton OF the nasmuch these within the
provisions Of the act recently passed which agreed
Mr.. f. from the committee to whom referred
the petitions of James Ladd and Others James w. Rogers
Mary +. Pendeton, Benjamin Hathaway, Eliza s. Whit
field Sarah Baker, and John L. Wiliame all praying for
bounty lands by special act stated that the COMMITTEES had
examined these petitions and finding that they cases.
in instances of children of officers and soldiers Of the
of the revolution and the of 1872 who had passed
the age Of minority at the time the act of 1855 took effect
had instructed him. nasmuch that question distinct
y presented to the Senate and II had been decided that
that class Of persons ought not to be included within the
provisions of the bounty laws, to submit adverse
ports the several The reports concurred in
Mr.. WILSON, from the COMMITTEES on Private Land
CLAIMS to whom referred the bill from the House Of
Representatives granting TO L. Jane Horner and children
section of land in Oregon, reported it without amend
ment and recommended its passage.
Mr. from thA M innc IN
whom referred the bills from the Court Of Claims for
the relief Of Asbury Dickins John Robb and Michael
Nourse reported substitute in each for the bill pre-
sented by the Court Of Claims These substitutes allow
the respective individuals the highest salary for the
classes Of services performed but not both salaries
Mr.. b, from the committee to whom referred
the bill from the Court of Claims for the relief Of William
H. Chase reported it without amendment and recommend
ed its passage
Claims to whom referred the bill from the House Of
Representatives for the relief of John Crawford reported
it without amendment and recommended its passage.
RysoLUTIos ADOPTED.
On motion BY Mr. HUNTER, resolution was adopted
requesting the Secretary Of the Treasury to instruct the d
of the Mint to institute series of experiments
codng to the advice and with the assistance Of Dr. James
Barclay in order to determine how far 1t is practicable
by chemical other processes BY drilling to extract
gold and silver from the coins Of the United States in
be detected by ocular Inspection and only
by actual weighing and how far such deterioration Of
and subtraction from, the coins be prevented by diff
rent compounds Of the metals with the alloy, by changes
denominations Of gold and silver coins by the subs
tuition Of different METALS by any other which the
proposed experiments may develop and also further
quesng the Secretary OF the Treasury to report 10 the
Senate the earliest day within the present
sion the result Of the experiments which may be made in
virtue of this resolution together with such suggestions
and recommendations may to him TO be important
In relation TO the coins of the United States.
ELECTIONS IN WASHINGTON CITY.
message was received from the House of Representa-
ve announcing the Senate that the House had passed
deSp dufiq Mt inf
elections OF the city of Washington and for other pur
poses with certain amendments in which the concurrence
Of the Senate requested
Mr. BROWN moved that the Senate proceed to the con-
sderaon of the bill In order that the amendments of the
House might be concurred in. The motion being agreed
TO- Mr. proceeded state the nature Of the House amend
ments The BILL passed the Senate, represented the
wishes of the democratic party while the bill in its pres
ent FORM amended by the House represents the views Of
satisfied with the bill in its present FORM knowing that
with the present political complexion OF the House, ii
the best that they could get Mr. b stated that
currence in the amendments Of the House. he did not
represent bis views Under any other cireum-
stances be should have opposed those amendments i
hut as the parties interested in the felt assured
that they could get from the House nothing better than
this they had desired him TO that the Senate
in the House amendments The present Law was to the
effect that persons becoming OF age between the Both Of
December and the day OF election should not have the
right TO vote for the that all voters must pay
schootax and have their registered before the 3s
OF December boy under age Is not liable TO pay
schooaI and therefore does not have his name registered
and consequently be cannot vote although be may atan
bis majority before the next election day Taking advan
tape OF this fact the House of Representatives bad ncorpo
rated into the bin provision that foreigners who might
he between the 3oth OF December and the day
of election shall be entitled TO at that eectoo
although they may have paid their schoosres and
pl@d with all provisions OF the present law IL would
seem to be just include both Of these classes than 10
exclude both Of them and thus allow minors who become
of aQe before the day OF election and those foreigners who
NAV be paturaxed prior 10 that time equally 10 psrtc
pate Ia the privilege OF voting that would have been fair
10 both parties but the House had taken different view
OF the matter and the Senate with them The bill
viii become law. II the subject should be postponed be
yond Monday next the desired object would not be at
aned and therefore under the circumstances hoped
that Senate would accept the amendments OF the House
SO save the bill
Mr. SEWARD expressed his preference for the bill az II
passed the Senate but willing TO adopt the suggestion
OF the senator from Mississippi
The question being taken the amendments OF the House
agreed to.
slvAL nsroRs.
The Senate resumed the consideration Of the bill to
amend an act entitled An act 10 promote the efficiency Of
the navy
Mr. MALLORY, in continuation of the remarks which
he Yesterday discussed the question somewhat
elaborstely.
Mr. CRiTTENDEN replied TO the arguments In favor OF
the action OF the board conenng that they had exceeded
the powers conferred upon them, and that they had no
right 10 INQUIRE into The moral conduct Of officers Of the
navy. !.
Mr.. BENJAMIN and Mr.. ToOMBS continued the dis
cu.sion some length.