Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-05-08
O O NJ O. h III o =


In the SENATE, on The sixth Of May, alter pre-
lmnary business the bill making an appropriation
for the construction Of a harbor at Marquette, ON
Lake Superior Michigan, was taken up, when
Mr.. ADAMS asked the yeas and nays on IL asa
test vote.
Mr.. BELL. Of Tensessee, said he did not know
whether this was proper test. He believed y
was new work, and doubted whether II stood
on as strong ground or was fortified by as much
evidence, as some of the other bills of a similar
character ~
Mr.. CAss said that il was a new work for the
reason that Congress had never expended dol
lar on Lake Superior. Commerce had lately
grown up in that mineral region Il was dan
dered harbors Of refuge extremely necessary II
was only proposed TO construct two OF these
works for line of 500 miles of coast.
Mr.. BELL wanted TO know whether there bad
been government examinations and surveys for
this harbor.
Mr.. STUART said there had been. The bill
only appropriated $4,000 and provided that the
work should not be commenced unless that
amount would complete IT, There were, eleven
bills for harbors on the lakes surrounding Michi-
gan, but each appropriated small amount only,
from $4,000 10 $4,000; and in the aggregate they
amounted TO less than the single appropriation for
the improvement of the mouth Of the Mississippi
river.
Mr.. HUNTER opposed the bill, and Messrs. Cass
and Stuart advocatedit.
After further debate, without disposing Of the
subject, the Senate adjourned.
In THE HopsE OF REPRESENTATIVES,, the Con-
suIar and Diplomatic Appropriation bill was passed
Mr.. BENNETT, OF New York from the Committee
on Public Lands, reported bill granting alternate
sections of lands in Iowa in aid Of railroads now
in progress of construction in that State. He
said that three millions OF acres had been granted
Missouri and Arkansas each, and this bill did not
require more than half that quantity, and con-
tanned The usual restrictions guarding the rights
Of the United States.
The committee have other similar bills, and de-
sire prompt action on this in order TO ascertain
the temper of the House on the subject.
Mr.. STEPHENS made an Intellectual effort to offer
an amendment, extending all the rights, privileges
ard liabilities, heretofore. conferre on Iowa, to
Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and Kansas, for
the purpose of aiding the construction Of rail
road from Vicksburg 10 Lecompton, and granting
public lands 10 the same extent, and on the same
terms and restrictions.
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee, moved that the bill be
laid on the table, but The motion was negatiyed,
by a large majority. Pending the consideration
of the question, the House adjourned.
In THE SENATE. May 7, the report of the Com
mittee of Conference on the disagreeing amend
ments 10 the Bounty Land bill was concurred in.
Mr.. BAyARD resumed, and concluded his re-
marks on the subject of the Naval Board and
explained substitute for a pending bill for the
promotion of the efficiency of the navy.
NrHE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,, Mr. PRIsGLE,
Deficiency bill, made a report, TO the effect that
they had failed to agree; and he offered a resolu-
lion that the House adhere to ITS several amend
men,s and 10 its disagreement TO those Of the
Senate; and that the managers on the part Of the
House be discharged from further action upon
the subject.
Mr. STANTON said that the House orght to sd-
here: but
Mr.. HuMPHREY MARSHALL remarked that to
do so might cause the defeat Of the bill and he
advocated the middle course, namely: TO continue
TO confer.
Mr. STANTON said that the principal points of
disagreement were the appropriations Of 81 $780,
900 for the Army, and 100000 for The continue
ton of the Washington Aquaduct
A long debate ensued, which was not concluded
when the House adjourned.