The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-03-27
THIRTY-F0URTH CONGRESS-,
First Session.
Monday, March "a, 1856.
SENATE

On motion of Mr.. Seward, the President was
called on to communicate all the information
in his possession relative to the revolutionary
proceedings in Nicaragua, especially the seiz-
ure of the Transit Company's property.
On motion of Mr.. Seward, the Committee on
the Library were instructed to consider the
expediency of some legislative recognition of
the eminent services of the expedition under
DIR. Kane in the Arctic regions.
Mr. Weller, from the Select Committee on
the Pacific Railroad, reported bill to author
ize and facilitate the construction of railroad
and magnetic telegraph line through the Terri
tories of the United States, from the Missis.
sippi River to the Pacific Ocean, which was
made the special order for April IA.
Mr.. Hunter submitted resolution, to the
effect that the bill to prevent frauds on the
revenue, and for other purposes, being bill to
raise the revenue, cannot originate in the Sen
ate, and it be therefore withdrawn.
AS Mr.. James was absent, the resolution lies
over.
The Senate took up the deficiency BILL
Mr.. Rusk spoke in favor Of keeping up the
Long bridge.
Messrs. Pratt, Seward, Toucey, and Butler,
favored the removal of the bridge, as interfering
with the navigation and prosperity Of George
town, as well as the health of Washington.
Mr.. Brodhead opposed the expenditure of SO
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 grati6ed at such les
son on economy from the Senator from Penn
sylvania, but wished he had thought of it when
the appropriation of the three millions of dol
lars was asked for the repairing of old guns
that were not worth a cent now, and would be
worth less then or when it was proposed to
build ten sloops of war for the navy officers to
go yachting about the Mediterranean in, He
voted in favor of the water works and bridges,
but against sloops of war and old guns.
MIR. Brown. You like Sharpe's rifles better ?
Mr.. Hale. Yes Laughter.
The amendment for the Long bridge was
then rejected-yeas ID, nays 80.
The amendment for the Eastern Branch
bridge was also lost-yeas 20, nays 20.
Mr.. Hunter then offered an amendment ap-
propriating about $500, 900 for the deficiencies
in the expenditures in the public printing, which
caused a long debate,
Mr.. Rusk wanted to know whether they could
not stop the publication of Gillisss work, which
cost so much.
Mr.. Fessenden said that the most important
part-the astronomical observations-yet re-
main to be be published. The volumes already
printed contained the history and zoology OF
Chill, which were comparatively unimportant.
Mr.. Brown said he hoped that in future the
important parts of the work would be published
first so that it could be stopped if necessary.
Mr.. Bell, of Tennessee, in remarking on the
great expense of the public printing, thought il
would he much better TO expend the money in
the improvement of our great navigable rivers,
,,,rhf nrh 10 q
sloop of war.
MIR. Weller moved to amend the amendment
byappropriating about $50, 000for the engraving
of the maps accompanying the report of the ex-
ploration and surveys, to determine the route
for a Pacific railroad, to be expended under the
direction of the Secretary of War.
Mr.. Fessenden urged that the law regulating
the public printing, &C., placed that matter in
charge of the Committee on Printing, and the
law could not be coptravened, The question
was pending when the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
The Speaker announced the names of Messrs.
Campbell of Ohio, Howard of Michigan, and
Oliver of Missouri, as composing the Kansas
investigating committee.
The deficiency bill was taken up.
Mr.. Zollicofer offered joint resolution to
supply the new members Of both Houses with
the same number and description of books as
we're provided for the members Of the former
Congress.
Mr.. Houston wished to give members money
instead, to make their own selections. This
would preclude the rumors Of members selling
their hoobq,
Mr.. Jones, Of Tennessee, suggested that the
members may take either money or books, as
some of the latter are out of print.
NJ Ill e Al.
tended to increase the per diem of pasmheFs, he
preferred that TIE proposition be made directly.
because there may have been abuses the dis
tribution of books should not be condemned, as
1t secures the dissemination of valuable infor-
nation throughout the country.
After further debate, the resolution was
amended and passed, that the members may
have books of equal yslae TO those which the
memkera Of the previous Congresses have re-
ceived, amounting for each to about 81 900.
The House then adjourned.