The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-03-13
In CONGRESS- OF THE U. STATES
ThiEty-Fourth Congress First Session.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH u, 1869.

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION.

The PRESIDENT pro tenn laid before the Senate re
port from the Postmaster General in answer to resolution
orh Senate calling for Information In relation to the print
Ing perormed FOR that department during the year end
ing December 81, 1855, not executed under the act
August, 1852 regulating the public printing which Wal
read and referred TO the Committee on Finance
MEMORIALS, PETITIONS, ETC.
Mr. WELLER presented the memorial of officers of ht
United States army stationed at West Point praying that
the eommuaon price of the army ration may be increased
from twenty to forty cents which was referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs
MfHAMtiN presented communication from the mayor
Of Georgetown d. O. and other papers relative to the pur
chase OF site and the erection Of building for the ac
commodaon OF the customhouse and post Office at that
place which were referred TO the Committee on Com
meFoe.
Mr. BIGLER presented the memorial of citizens of Penn
syvana complaining of the action of the late naval board
In consequence of which sundy naval officers have been
dropped placed the retired list which ordered to
lie on the table ..
Mr. b. also presented joint resolutions Of the legislature
of Pennsylvania in relation to the Arctic expedition Under
command Of DR.. Elisha K Kane, and moved their refer
the Committee the Library with instructions to
inquire into the expedency of purchasing for the use Of the
Senate sundy copies of the narrative Of that expedition
in of publication by Messrs Chlds Peterson
of Philadelphia He proceeded to submit some remarks in
relation to the Importance of Dr. Kanes discoveries and
the lively interest which is felt in all parts of the country
to learn full particulars in relation to the hitherto unex
plored Arctic regions
Mr.. SEWARD submitted the following resolution, a
modification of that offered by Mr. BIGLER:
to purchase fir the use of the Senate ten thousand copies Of
Doctor kane narrative of his late expedition to the Arctic
regions from Messrs Chds Peterson Proudd The price
shall not exceed five dollars per copy.
Mr. BIGLEE accepted the modification.
Mr. BRODHEAD desired still further TO modify the reso-
luton by adding the following proviso:
Providd also, That if the said committee shall be of oPn-
on upoa thorough examination that the said Dr. Kane has
greatly aided the OF science and Information
useful To his government and country and should deem 1t
nexpedant 10 agree to purchase book not officially made
committee report bill authorizing the payment of ten or
twenty thousand dollars to the said Dr. kape or sgQh sum
as they nay think right or proper.
ar 3. thought that II would be well to make public
recognition of Dr. kanes services In the same manner that
had been done In relation TO Commodors Porys japan
expedition II tea thousand copies Of the book were paEs
chased BY each Houe Of Congress the expense would bs
twenty thousand dollars, the government would make
saving eighty thousand dollars In addition TO that he
had doubts about the proprsy OF purchasing any DOCK
ained by any officer Of the goyernment and he there
fore desired enlarge the SCOPE ohe inquiry and let the
committee consider in which mode the appreciation by the
government of Dr. Kanes services ought to be manifested
Mr., BIGLER stated that far as he acquain ted
with tha views and feelings of DIR. Kane 1t was his -
preston that that gentleman was unwilling to come be-
fore Congress asking pecuniay reward he was exceed
ngly sensitive that point and was anxious that no
movement the part of his friends should bear that COZ
strucon while at the time like any other scientific
whose abors had attracted attention, bis feelings
Congress of the value of those services For this
therefore Mr. unwilling to adopt the suggestion Of
his colleague
The further consideration OF the subject was then post
poned until tomorrow.
Mr. PRATT presented the petition of Mary Haubbert
praying be allowed bounty lands for the services of her
husband In the of 1872 which referred 10 the
Committee on Public Lands
Mr. also presented joint resolutions OF the Legislature
Of Maryland praying the return of moneys advanced BY
that State TO the federal government in I91 and l792 for
tha of
Washington; which were referred to the Committee OF
the District of Columbia.
Mr. PRATT presented memorial from the Board o
Trade of Baltimore, and Mr.. BIGLER presented memo
rial from the Board Of Trade of Philadelphia praying tb
passage Of law by which copies Of all public document
printed by order OF Congress may be sent to the severa
boards Of trade and chambers Of in the various
States Of the Unon which were referred TO the Commit
tee the Library.
REPORTS IRON COMMITTEES.
Mr. HUNTER from the Committee on Finance, to whom
was referred the bill from the House Of Representatives
supply deficiencies in the appropriations for the service
the fiscal year.ending Both June, 1856, reported IL WIN
sundry amendments.
MIR. BUTLER, from the Committee the Judiciary re
ported n bill change the time Of holding the distrc
courts Of the United States at Wytheye In the western
district of Virginia which read three times by unan
mous consent and passed.
MIR DOUGLAS from the Committee on Territories, Il
whom was referred much OF the annual message Of tn
President Of the United States relates to territorial al
fairs together with his special message in regard to kansa
Territory and several resolutions OF the Senate in relation
TO the same subject submitted elaborate and volumn
Gus report !; which read at length.
Mr. COLLAMER, from the same committee, submitted
minority report on the same subject which was AIS
read
Mr. DOUGLAS then moved that both reports be printe
for the use Of the Senate,
Mr. SUMNER spoke in defence of the Emigrsnt Aid So
cey Of Massachusetts, denying the charges against that SO
ciety contained 10 the majority report.
Mr. DOUGLAS replied that all the charges were fact
which could be proved The senator FROM Massachusett
mightendeavor justify them but he could not den
early day express bis opinions at length upon this Who'll
subject
Mr. BROWN said that he could not go into discusso
of the question ntegenty at this time and he hoped th
matter would be postponed until the reports were PRINTED
when he should ask be heard upon the subject He ha
speech half delivered and should ask the Senate
morrow morning TO allow him 10 deliver the other hall
| to have II printed without being delivered ,,.
Mr. SEWARD expressed his qualification at the abilit
with which the minority report had been drawn up an
said that be was prepared stand up and defend to u
last the statements Of facts therein contained as well as u
conclusions at which the report had arrived.
The question being taken the motion to print the repor
was agreed TO.
be printed and the motion referred to the Commit
| on Printing.
Mr.. STUART, from the Committee Finance, reportc
bill TO direct a re-examinaton Of the account betwes
the United States and the State of Maryland,
| Mr.. WELLER, from the Committee on Military Affair
reported bills for the relief Of Dempsey Pittman and jam
Harrington and submitted adverse report on the petite
/ Of John @ McFeran.
/ Mr. GEYER, from the Committee the Judiciary,
whom was referred the bill authorizing the Secretary
the Interior 10 approve the accounts Of the marshal Of
district Of Missouri for furniture provided for the use OF
circuit court Of the United States for said district nj
April OF said held at St Louis in the year ls5
reported 1t without amendment and recommendeo !" pa