Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-03-28
TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1856
.

Mr.. Mason gave notice of his intention 10 introduce
4 till 10 amend the act remudeIng our diplomatic
aud consular system.
On motion Of Mr. Brodhead, the committed on mil.
itGry affairs were instructed to inquire into the rXpe-
dlency of establishing one or more national fouu-
dries, according to the recommendations Of the SGcre-
tary Of War in his annual report i'll 1888.
The Senate then resumed the consideration Of the
deficiency appropriation bill.
The bill relating to foreign coin and to the coinage
Of cents at the Mint of the Omitted States was intro
duced by Mr.. Hunter. IL provides that Spanish mill
cd or Mexican quarters, eighIhs and sixtrenths shall be
received at the United States offices at ~, 10 and 5
cents respectively, aud made a legal tender for all
sums not exceeding s.. These fractions when receiv-
ed shall not again be passed ont, but shall be RECON-
ell. 1t also authorizes the President, whenever he
NAV deem II expcdieut, to issue q proclamation legal
izimg a ucw cent piece, to be formed either by a re-
duction of the weight Of the copper "t the present
cent, ur by alloy with other metal. The director OF
the Mint is to make his annual report To the Sccreta-
nv of the Treasury up 10 the 3ntl Of June in each
year, so that it may be presented to Congress at the
commencement Of the session.
The debate on Mr.. We!ler's amendment to the de.
fcieacy bill providing for printing the Pacific Rail.
road Surveyors Report,) occupied the whole OF tho
session.
Mr.. Brown remarked that the only way to stop Civ.
ing out fat jobs in the printing Of worthless documents
was to establish a government printing office and
abolish the franking privilege.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
On motion of Mr.. Walker, The committed on the
Judiciary were instructed 10 enquire whether the Kan
sns Investigating Committee have power to coerce
the attendance of witnesses. aud to punish them for
contempt.
Mr.. Campbell of Ohio, said that when the House
was organized, nc was, very unexpectedly to himself,
appointed to the distinguished position of chairman
Of the committed of ways and means, and yesterday
Il dis,inci;nn was conferred on him by the chair equal.
" rs unexpected rs the former. Finding thnt the
latter position involves very arduous and important
services, entirely Incompatible with the duties assign.
ed when the House organized, he would ask the
House To excuse him from serving aa the head OF the
commission 20 proceed TO Kansas To take testimony,
He expressed his gratitude for those two very high
honurs conferred on him, especially for the latter, be-
cause of the peculiar circumstances ut this time sur
rounding him.
Mr.. Campbell was excused, and Mr.. Sherman was
appointed To ill the vacancy.
Mr.. Phelps introduced Il bill authorizing the Presi'
dent to cause tine Southern boundary line of Kansas
II DO defined and marked. The bill WINS referred to
the committee on Territories.
Mr.. Harris of Maryland, presented tho memorial
of Alex. Brown " Sons, Wm.W Wilson & Sons, Hugh
Jenkins and others, for the erection of n Marine Hos
pital at the port of Baltimore. Referred to the com
nittrc on naval RllalrS.
The House touk up the bill defining the rights
of voters and the duties of the commissioners of
elections in the city Of Washington, and for other
purposes.
MIR. Humphrey Marshall offered an amendment re.
" uU lI1 Il ClS hhNA1 hiiL'bt W IS"ih' ih INV WY
one year Immediately preceding the municipal cleo
ton.
Mr.. Jones of Tennessee, opposed the amendment
ms, in his opinion, i; proposed 10 establish Il prece.
dent which is not recognized by the constitution, and
| which proposes to make An invidious distinction be-
tween the native and foreign born citizen.
Dir. McAlullcn conceived that the amendment pro-
posed, in effect, to extend the naturalization term tc
six years.
Mr.. Davis of Maryland, earnestly advocated the
amendment. rs necessary to the preservation OF the
gurity of the bnllot box.
Mr.. Meachemsdisapproved OF such patches on the
bill, which was drawn with great care, aud whicl
men of all parties wished ~ be passed.
I Mr.. Campbell, of Ohio, and Messrs. Hall, OF Mas
saclIusetts, Carlisle, Zollicoifer, Whitney and Walter
advocated the amendment: and Messrs. iarris, o
Illinois, Dnyoe, Richardson, Kcitt aud Meachen op
posed it.
During the debate Mr.. Whitney expressed th'
opinion that this bill was IN effort of the adninistra
tom to stitle the sentiments Of the people on tn
American question by the introduction at the polls q
the aliens employed on the public works.
Mr.. Goude asked hun what authority he had TO
the assertion
Mr.. Whitney replied that he had read in a lette
from the Assistant Postmaster General that the up
pointment Of a foreign Catholic was preferable to Al
American Protestant.
Mr.. G~uode.-And il this the evidence on which tn,
centlcman seeks to arraign the Executive before lii
House and the country!
Pending the amendment the House adjourned.