The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-01

Der. He said that in the ensuing Presidential
contest they will inscribe on their banner the
words, Freedom is national, and Slavery is
Sectional; no more Slave territory; no more
slave States. Union for the sake Of Liberty, and
Liberty for the sake of the Union"
When he concluded his remarks, the Com
mittee rose, and the House adjourned.
Thursday, April "A, 1856.
SENATE.
Mr. Benjamin said he had resolution living
on his desk for near two weeks, which he had
been seeking an opportunity to introduce. He
found that one Of analogous character had been
offered by the Senator from Massachusetts, Mr.
Sumner, and he now wished the one he would
send to the Chair considered:
ReSolced, That the Secretary of State be d.
rected to furnish the Senate any documents,
papers, or other information to be found in his
Department, tending to showthe extent to which
the transportation of laborers is now being
carried on from the Continent of Asia or any
OF the Asiatic islands, to English or Spanish
Colonies IN America, or to the Chineha Islands,
whether said laborers be termed slaves. coolies,
or apprentices; also, any information in his De-
partment tending to show the manner in which
sald laborers are treated during transportation
and after arrival in the countries into which
they are imported, together with statistics show
ing the sacrifice of human life resulting from
said traffic.
A message was received from the House Of
Representatives, stating that it had agreed to
some and disagreed to other amendments of
the Senate to the bill to supply deficiencies for
the fiscal year ending June 80, 1856, and had
agreed TO other amendments of the Senate with
amendments.
On motion by Mr.. Stuart, it was referred to
the Committee on Finance.
Mr.. Pugh moved to proceed to the consider.
alton of the bill to authorize the Circuit Court
of the United States for the Southern district
OF Georgia to entertain appeals and grant writs
OF error IN certain cases which motion was
agreed to.
The bill, having been briefly discussed by
Messrs. Adams, Pugh, Toucey Benjamin, and
mallory, was read a third time and passed.
Mr. Weller moved to proceed to the consid-
Grafton OF the bill to promote the efficiency of
the army; which motion having been agreed
Mr.. Hale rose and addressed the Senate
until the hour for taking up the special order,
and In the course of his remarks contrasted
the present with preceding times, when the
government was economically administered
In the time of Washington, the whole expen-
ses oil the Government were two millions lMr
TOombs, in his seat. That would not nav for tn,
printing. while under President Pierce thew
were sixty millions--thus showing that 1t cost
thirty times as much to Keep General Pierce
as 1t did TO keep General Washington. There
was a contrast, also, between the expenses of
the three years war with Mexico, where we
had fifty thousand men to subsist on foreign
SOIL and yet the expenditures in no one year
OF that war exceeded fifty millions; and now,
in time of profound peace, the expenditures
had reached between sixty and seventy mil
hons. How was that to be accounted for, I'M
less on the score of profuseness and prodigal-
lty. The Senator from Mississippi Mr.. Adamsl
had talked of individual responsibility, and he
thanked him for the hint and warned all those
who were about to enter the approaching poiti-
cal campaign, to show how the peoples money
had been lavished by this Administration, not
to vote for this bill. In his section Of country,
it was no uncommon thing to hear Of the econ
omy of President Pierce. He had vetoed the
French Spoliation bill on this ground and had
performed the same gratuity on the same score
for the Collins steamers, and with the River and
HarbOr bill. This was like some other kind
of economy he had heard of, which was to pay
everything but just debt. The President had
called for ten iron steamers, which had been
granted by the Senate, that would cost ten mil
lions to build, and then $50, 900 for coal and
other materials for ninety days. This was
economy with vengeance. He trusted in
God the bill for the building of these steam
ers would never get through the other branch
for if it did, he ventured to say there would be
no veto. The steamers would sail beautifully
through the White House, without the neces.
sity of using much steam. He glanced, also,
at the increased expenditures for the civil and
diplomatic service of the Government, Of the
army and navy, which he maintained had been
augmented full fifty per cent. under the pres
ent economical Administration.
The hour having arrived for taking the spe.
cial order, Mr.. H. yielded the floor.
Mr.. Houston then resumed his remarks, and
continued in a no less playful and sarcastic vein
than at the commencement, until the close;
when
Mr. Biggs obtained the floor, and moved that
the further consideration be postponed until
Monday next, and be made the special order
for that day at one o'clock.
Mr.. Brown desired only half an hour on Mon.
day, to offer some remarks on Kansas affairs
After a brief discussion, the Reporter under
stood that a compromise was effected, by which
Mr. Brown is to be allowed his half hour on
Monday, and the naval reform subject to come
up at halfpast one on Monday.
And the Senate adjourned.
1tOISE-
Mr.. Pelton, of New York, reported. without
amendment, Senate bill to remit or refund the
duties upon goods, wares, and merchandise. de-
stroyed by FIRE, and asked that it might at once
be considered.
Mr.. Phelps, of Missouri, submitted, that az
the bill provided that the commissioners to set
tie these claims should issue certificates which
should be cashed by the Secretary of the Treas
nry, it must necessarily be committed, under
the rule of the House which requires that all
measures making appropriations shall receive
their first consideration in Committee of the
Whole.
The Speaker held, that as further legislation
would be necessary before any money could be
paid under the bill, the rule referred to by the
gentleman did not apply in this case.
Mr.. Jones, Of Tennessee, appealed from the
decision Of the Chair.
After brief debate, Mr.. Washburn, of
Maine, moved to lay the appeal On the table:
which motion did not prevail-yeas ~. nays SO.
The question was then taken, "Shall the
opinion Of the Chair stand as the Judgment of
he House?" and it was decided in the mega
ive-yeas "a, nays 7S.
SO the decision of the Chair was overruled
and the bill was referred 70 the Committee of
he Whole on the state of the Union.
On motion of Mr.. Phelps, of Missouri, the
House then went into Committee, (Mr. Cobb.
'f Georgia, in the chair, and resumed the con.
of the Indian appropriation bill.