Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-03-28
TuInTy.roURru coNcREss-Firs, Session.
MONDAY, MARCH 81, 1856.

ENA1E
n, n,oti,, of Mr.. Seward, the President was callec
-, - communicate all the information in his posses
sion relative to the revolutionary proceedings in Nj
caragua, especially the seizure of the Transit Com
pany's property.
library wore instructed to consider the expediency 0
some legislative recognition Of the eminent services
of the expedition of DR.. Kane in the Arctic regions
Mr.. Weller, from the select committee on the Paci
fc Railroad, reported a bill TO authorize and faciitat,
The construction of a railroad and magnetic telegraph
line through the territories of the United States from
the Mississippi river TO the Pacific ocean, which wa
made the special order for April ii.
MI. Johnson, from the on printing, re
ported back the bill providing for the public printing
engraving and binding; aud It was made the specia
order fur April ~.
Nj. Hunter submitted a resolution to the effect thai
the bill TO prevent frauds on the revenue and for 9th
err purposes, being u bill TO raise the revenue, cannot
originate in the Senate, and it be therefore with.
drawn.
AS Mr. James was absent, the resolution lies over
The Senate took up the deficiency bill.
Mr.. Rusk spoke i'll favor of keeping up the Long
Bridge.
Mrssrs. Pratt, Seward, Toucey and Butler, favor.
ed the removal Of the bridge, rs interfering with
the navigation and prosperity of Georgetown, as vel
Us the health Of Washington.
Mr.. Brodhead opposed the expenditure OF 40 much
money for the repairs of this bridge, and instanced
the large appropriations for the Capitol dome and the
extension Of the Public Buildings here.
Mr.. Hale said he was gratitied at such Il lesson on
economy from the Senator from pennsylvania oul
wished he had thought of il when the Appropriation
of the three millions of dollars was asked Tor the re-
pairing OF old guns that were not worth a cent now,
and would he worth less then; or when II was pro-
posed to build ten sloOps of war for the navy officers
10 90 Yachting about the Mediterranean in. lie voted
in favor of the wutrr works and bridges, but against
sloops of war and old guns.
Mi. Brown-Yuu like Shapes rifles betterl
Mr.. Hale-Yes! tLaughter.)
The amendment for the Long brldgo was then re-
jected-yeas ii, nays 80.
The amendment for the Eastern Branch bridge was
also ~st-yeas 90, rays 20.
MI. Hunter then offered an amendment appropria-
! ting about $300, 0OO for the deficiencies in the eSpcli-
ditures in the public printing, which caused q long de-
bate.
MI. Rusk wanted to know whether they could not
stop the publication of Gilliss' work, which cost so
much.
MI. Fessenden said that the most important part
the astronomical obser vatioDs-yet remain To- be pup
lished. The volume: already printed contained the
history and zoology OF Chill, which were compara-
lively uniinportant.
Mr.. Brown said he hoped that in future the impor-
| tant parts OF the work would be published hrst, SO
that it could be stopped if necessary.
MI. Bell, of Tennessee, in remarking on the great
expense Of the public printing, thought 1t would De
much better 10 cxpeud the money IN the Improvement
Of our great n~avisable rivers, or We might even save
enough to support u s!oop of war.
Mr.. Weller moved to amend the amendment oyap-
propriating about $4,000 for the engraving Of the
maps accompanying the report Of the explorations
and surveys TO determine the route for a pacihc h"'l
Road, 10 be expended under the direction OF the Sec
Rotary Of War. ,,.
Mr.. Fessenden urged that the law regulated Inc
public printing, &C., placed that matter i'll charge OF
the committee on printing, and the law could not pe
contravuped. The question was pending "heu lhe
Senate adjourned.
House OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The Speaker announced the names OF Alrsfrs.
Campbell Of Ohio, Howard of Michigan, and Oliver
of Missouri, hs composing the Kansas investigating
committee.
The deficiency bill was taken up.
Mr.. Zolicofrer offered a Joint resolution to supply
the new members OF both Houses with the came num-
Der and description of books rs were provided Tor the
members Of the former Congress.
Mr.. liors,on wished to give members money III
stead, TO make their own selections. THIS would pre-
clude the rum0rs of members selling their books.
Mr.. Jones, OF Tennessee, suggested that the mem
bcrs may take either money or books, rs some OF the
latter are out Of print.
Nj. Campbell OF Ohio, said that if il was intended
to increase the per diem Of members, he preferred
that the proposition be made directly. Because there
NAV have been abuses, the distribution of books
should not be condemned, as it secures the dissemlna-
ton of valuable Information throughout the coun-
try. -,
After further debate the resolution WAS amended
and passed, that the members may have books Of
equal value to those which the members OF previous
Congresses have received, amounting for each to
about ; 900.
The House then adjourned.