The daily union., 1856-12-19
In CONGRESS OF THE U. STATES.
Thirty- Fourth Congress-Third session.
THURSDAY, DEoEMBER IS, 1866.
SENATE.

SENATE.
Hon R. MALLORY, from the State Of Florida appeared
in his seat this morning.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS.
The PRESIDENT pro tenn laid before the Senate COM
muncaton from the Secretary OF War in compliance with
resolution of the Senate OF the l6h OF August last call
ing for estimate OF the amount required for connecting
the icebreaker with the breakwaer AT the entrance OF Del
aware Bay and Of the cost Of breakwaer at Crow shoa
Cape May which read referred TO the Committee on
Commerce, and ordered TO be printed.
MEMoRIALs, PETITIONS, Erc.
| Mr.. STUART presented the memorial Of Edward X
Collins and his associates contractors for carrying the
United States mails between the ports of New York and
Liverpool setting forth that before they commenced the
construction OF their ships which Intended 10 be OF
thousand tons EACH and Of thousand horse power
the Bremen line had commenced TO with the proudes
| yaunings. Their boasts alarmed the Cunard Company
who at built four steamers of two thousand tons
each and, notwithstanding it is expressly stipulated In
the contract of the Bremen line that they shall beat the
Cunard line in point of tme they have not only failed to
establish their boasted superiority, but have uniformly
fallen behind the English line They further set forth that
the performance OF the Bremen line left stain upon the
character OF American steamers and to put stop
to the boasts of England they compelled to build
larger ships than at first contemplated and therefore
built ships of nearly three thousand tons each and of two
thousand horse power which increased size occaoned great
additional cost in construction, and nearly doubles the
| expense of keeping and running the ships. They also
state that there other American ocean steamers
which perform the service in the time with
their ships but that the original contract will not enable
line sustained it is by increased government sup
port They express their unwilngness to be the parties
surrender to England this great national ocean suprem
acy which they have gained and desire that if it must be
surrendered it shall be done by other hands and ask
that nasmuch they embarked in the enterprise at the
solicitation of the government Congress may pass law
terminate their contract and to dispose of their ships so
that they may be relieved from the undertaking without
any loss The petition referred to the Committee on
the Post Office and Post Roads.
Mr. WADE presented the petition of Hartwell Carver,
praying that charter may be granted to him and his as
socaes for the construction OF railroad from some point
on the Mississippi Missouri river from Lake Michi
gan the Pacific which referred TO the Com
| mttee on Roads and Canals.
Mr. BIGLER presented the petition of certain residents
of Allegheny county Pennsylvania engaged operatives
in the United States arsenal Pittsburg during the
Mexican war; praying that bounty lands may be granted
to all who engaged in preparing munitions of war at
different ordnance posts during that war which was re-
| ferred to the Committee on Public Lands.
Mr. RUSK presented the petition of William M. Ellis,
praying appropriation to test his improvement in the
method of attaching the moorngs Of buoys beacons &C.
which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.
REPORTS FROM coxMITrEEs.
| Mr. WELLER from the Committee on Military Affairs
to whom referred the memorial of L. A. Lat asked
to be discharged from the further consideration of the same
and that 1t be referred the Committee on Pensions
which agreed to.
Mr. w. from the same committee submitted an adverse
report the memorial Of Mrs. Eliza e. Ogden, widow of
| Capt Il, A. Ogden. ..
| Mr.. HARLAN, from the Committee on Agriculture to
whom were referred several memorials on the subject
ported bill to extend and encourage for the benefit of
agriculture and other pursuits the meteorological nvesti
cations of the National Observatory and hydrographcal
Offices which read and passed to second reading
| Mr.. SEWARD, from the Committee on Commerce. TO
whom referred the bill from the House of Representa-
yes authorize the President Of the United States to
cause 70 be procured by purchase otherwise suitable
steamer be stationed at the port OF New York reye
nue. cutter ard for the purpose of ahordng relief to dig
essed vessels their passengers and crews reported with
\ out amendment and recommended its passage, .."
/ Mr. PUGH, from the Committee on the Judiciary, to
whom referred the resolution instrucng them TO in
qure whether any further legislation necessary to
carry into effect the act to regulate the compensation of
members Of Congress- asked TO be discharged from the fur
ther consideration Of the subject which was agreed TO-
BILL INTRODUCED.
Mr. JAMES asked and obtained leave to introduce bill
to construct q harbor Block island; which read
twice and referred TO the Committee on Commerce.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
on motion by Mr. FISH, resolution adopted di-
recting the Committee Commerce inquire into the
pediency of building customhouse at the port Of Sag
Harbor on Long Island in the State Of New York.
Mr. HALE submitted resolution directing the Commit
tee Military Affairs to inquire into the expediency of
disseminating any further appropriations for the Military
Asylum in the District of Columbia and also to inquire
what is the annual expense of supporting soldier there
and the mode and manner of supporting him there and
those entitled the benefits of the Military Asylum may
not be adopted at much less xpense by direct payments
in money, by boarding them at private establishments or
1 by afording them relief In some other way.
Mr. JONES Of Tennessee, thought this inquiry would
involve good deal Of labor suggested that the Sec
retary Of War should be called fot the information
Mr. HALE said he had consulted the chairman Of the
COMMITTEES Military Affairs Mr. WKLLKRl before sub
hitting the resolution,
VI. WELLER concurred in the opinion that this was
proper subject Of inquiry and willing that his COM
mittee should undertake that duty.
Mr.. HALE remarked that he had understood that the
Military Asylum, In this District supported seventy or
each, giving them nothing but pork beans &C. and tho
usual army ratons together with such vegetables
raised the place and the soldiers also separated
from their families whereas a much smaller amount Of
money would enable better to be taken OF them at
their respective homes These things he believed would
appear from the reply to the resolution which he in
| troduced
Mr. THOMPSON, of Kentucky, moved 10 amend the res
oution by extending the same inquiry 10 the Western Mil
itary Asylum at Harrodsburg Kentucky and TO report IL
either be retained which shall be retained and further
whether said asylum al Harrodsburg may not be beneficial
| ly removed to the Pacific coast In California
Mr.. HALE accepted the amendment and the resolution,
as amended, was agreed to.
On motion by Mr. PEARoE the Senate proceeded TO the
consideration Of the joint resolution Of the House Of Repre-
sentaves the purchase Of Dr. Kanes forthcoming work
Arctic explorations and for presentation Of medals
to Dr. Kane and his officers and men, which had been re
ported from the Committee the Library with amend
ment striking out that portion authorizing the purchase Of
the books.
Mr. BRODHEAD remarked that he was In favor Of the
adoption Of the amendment reported by the committee
The question being taken, the amendment agreed
and the joint resolution, amended read a third time
and passed. the title being amended to conform with the
above amendment