Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-08
MEMORIALS, PETITIONS, ETC

Senate-MOnday, january, 1856.
MEMORIALS, PETITIONS, ETC.
Mr.. MASON presented the memorials Of VIM.
nj. Armstrong, Joseph Myers, and H. H. Rhodes,
board, and praying to be restored to their former
positions in the navy; which were referred TO the
Committee on Naval Affairs.
Mr.. SEWARD presented additional documents
IN the case of Samuel Lockwood, late of the
United States navy, who placed on the re-
tired list by the action of the late Naval Board
which was referred 10 the same committee
Mr.. SUMNER presented two memorials, pray
ing an appropriation at an early day for the erec-
ton OF lighthouse on the southeastern part of
Rock Island which were referred to the Com
mttee on Commerce
Mr.. COLLAMER presented the petition of
Robert Graham, representing one of the heirs of
the late General Arthur ST. Clair, praying TO be
unidentified for sacrifices and losses incurred by
General ST. Clair, in discharging a debt contracted
by him for the use of the Government, while acr.
ing as superintendent of Indian Affairs in the
Northwest Territory which was referred to the
Committee of Claims
Mr. G. also presented the petition of Villa IL
Bingham an officer in the last war with Great
Britain, praying TO be allowed pension; which
was referred 10 the Committee on Pensions.
RESOLUTIONS SUBMITTED.
Mr.. MALLORY submitted resolution, in
structing the Committee on Commerce 10 inquire
into the expediency of establishing marine hos
pital at Apalachicola in the State of Florida ;
agreed 10.
Mr. M. also submitted resolution, instructing
the Committee the Judiciary 10 inquire and
report as TO the expedency Of providing for APP
peals and wrts of error from the, district courts
OF the United States, in Florida, TO the circuit
court; agreed 10.
APPROPRIATION BILLS
On motion by Mr.. BRODHEAD, the following
resolution, submitted by him some time since, was
taken up for consideration:
ReSotved, That the Committee Finance be
directed TO inquire into the expedency of report
ing the appropriation bills for the support of the
government, or adopting other measures with a
view OF obtaining more speedy action said bills.
Mr.. BRODHEAD proceeded TO call the atten-
ton Of the Senate 10 the evils of the night SEES
sions which occur at the close of every session Of
Congress. Forty or fifty millions Of dollars were
appropriated on these occasions, at the hour OF
midnight; and that, too, during the absence OF
some OF the best and most experienced members
oil the Senate, in consequence of exhaustion.
Scenes had sometimes occurred here, also, which
a sense of decacy prevented him from describ-
ing. He attributed all these evils to the DELAY on
the part of the House of Representatives In send
ing here the appropriation bills and he read a
statement showing the time in each session for
number OF years past in which the House had
sent here the civil and diplomatic appropriation
bill, the army appropriation bill and the navy APP
preparation bill, respectively.
He was in favor of doubling the compensation
Of members and giving il in the shape Of an annual
salary, 10 shorten the sessions; considered the
right and power of the Senate 10 originate appro-
priatlon bills, and argued that if they have that
power they should exercise il.
Mr.. CLAYTON agreed with Mr.. BRoDHEAD
that this has been a great evil and said that
twenty-seven years ago il was as bad as il is now
NO measures have been taken competent to arrest
A. de was IN favor Of the resolution and had no
doubt Of the power Of the Senate 10 originate those
bills.
Mr.. TOOMBS remarked that The evil was a
crying one, and had no doubt of the power of the
Senate 10 originate appropriation bills; but this was
not the true remedy. The difficulty was occasion
ed by the large number of anne ndmeDts tackled on
by the two Houses at a late period of the session.
and, unless some measures were taken TO cut
them OIL and refuse TO accept any amendments
within ten, twenty, or thirty days of the adjourn
ment, nothing could be effected to remedy the
evil OF which they all complained.
Mr.. SEWARD would cheerfully vote for the
resolution, but did not think proper TO commit
himselft to the propriety OF the remedy proposed
Mr.. HAMLIN thought that in all cases sufficient
time should be allowed to intervene between the
action on the appropriation bills and the time Of
adjournment, TO give opportunity for the bill to
be killed and another introduced, If such a course
should become necessary in consequence of OBJ
Jectionablc amendments As II now, the
Senate were obliged to take the bill as it was
presented, with oil the Objectionable matter that il
might contain.
After a few remarks by Mr.. BAYARD and Mr.. |
CLAYTON the resolution was agreedto.
BENJAMIN s ROBERTS.
Mr.. FOOT called up the resolution which he
submitted several days ago, ordering the printing |
Of the report Of Capt. Roberts in relation TO the |
American flag which had been the first planted /
upon the capital OF Mexico.
Mr.. BROWN thought the report did not do |
Justice to Gen. Qutman. lie was willing to
award all possible honor 10 Capt Roberts; he
would not consent 10 see honors bestowed upon
captain in the line, TO the exclusion of his MAJOR
General
Mr. FOOT thought that the Committee on
Military Affairs was the proper tribunal to invest.
yatc that matter, and decide TO whom the honor
belonged, and he moved that the resolution be
'eferred to that committee which was agreed to-
COLONEL MONTGOMERY.
On motion by Mr.. BROWN, a resolution was
ldopted requesting the President of the United
States 10 communicate 10 the Senate the proceed.
ngs Of the court martial in the case Of Colonel
Of the United States army.
On motion the Senate adjourned TO meet on
Thursday next
House Of Representatives.