Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-02-16
Gouqrtssiunal.
THIRTY-FoURTH CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
senate-Thursday, February IA, 1856.


iendent of the Coast Survey, showing the pro-
gress Of that work during the year ending the LIST
NoyeQker, 1855.
MryDEARCE submits ed the following resoiu-
lion:
Resolued, That 10000 copies of the letter Of the
Secretary Of the Treasury, communicating the
report OF the Superintendent OF the Cont Survey
for the year 1855, in addition TO the NJ DDumber,
be printed 5000 thereof for the oflhe Senate,
and The remainder for the use OF the Survey
Office and that the same be printed and bound
with the plates in quarlo form and that the plates
be printed under the direction of the Coast Sur
vey.
After remarks from Messrs. FISH and JOHN
SON 10 the form of printing, the resolution
was referred, on the motion Of the latter, TO the
Committee on Printing.
large number Of Iettions and memorials
were presented.
On motion by Mr. RAYARD,
Resolved That the Secretary of War be directed
TO report TO the Senate an estimate of the amount
necessary 10 complete the fortifcations OF Pea
Patch Island, in the river Delaware, and OF the
time within which the said Notifications can be
completed.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
BY Mr.. BROWN; A bill 10 establish library
for young men in the District Of Columbia
This bill provides that the Justices of the Cir
cult Court Of this District, the Mayors Of Wash
ington and Georgetown, Secretary of the Smithso-
nan Institutions and their successors in Office
with such persons as the Mayors Of the two cities
may designate, shalt he created body corporate
forever, under the name OF columbia Library for
Young Men," and in this name 10 sue and be sued
in any court; may possess properly for the afore-
said purpose, real and personal If LOT be granted
for said library, sale shall be made without the
assent of Congress. Power is given 10 appoint
all needful officers, messengers, and laborers, and
10 compensate them; also, The power 10 pass
all bylaws, &c, and TO alter or amend them 10
limit the ages within which young men may be
entitled 10 the provisions of the acl ; TO diffuse
knowledge among them in such ways as are best
calculated 10 instruct Them, elevate their morals.
and fit them for usefulness, &c
SALARIES OF DISTRICT JUDGES
BY Mr. BRODHEAD: A bill 10 increase the
salaries of the Judges fine Circuit and Criminal
Courts of the District Of Columbia.
This bill gives the chief Judge "a 0a0 per
mum, and the associate judges and Judge of the
Criminal Court $500 each, TO be paid quarterly
from the treasury
BY Mr.. WELLER: A bin providing for an
overland mail from some point on the Mississippi
river TO San Francisco, California.
Other bills were introduced and appropriately
referred.
The Senate then proceeded 10 consider the fol-
lowing resolution, submitted by Mr.. WILSON on
the Sd of January last
Resoiued, Thar the President of The United
States be requested 10 communicate the Senate
all information in the pos esson Of the Executive
Kansas affecting the freedom Of elections, and
that he be further requested 10 inform the Senate
by what authority armed men from the State of
Missouri were marched into the Territory Of
Kansas against the peace and gos order of the
sas Territory and also what steps have been
taxi. by the Executive TO prevent these outrages
upon the legal rights Of the people of that Terri
tory; and what persons ling Office under Ex-
ecutive appointment have participated in these
acts, and 10 what extent.
~ ~ a. L. l..r -.
poned.
Mr.. WILSON expressed the hope that such
course would not be pursued II very desir-
able that the Senate should have the information
called for by The resolution
Mr.. WELLER thought he resolution had
better be postponed. The Executive had no
special information not already in the possession
of the Senate
Mr.. FESSENDEN commended tba, the Senate
had no information other than that derived from
public rumor and the public press. The President
had called their attent ion To the dongs in Kansas
and il fair 10 infer that the President had not
acted upon rumor but had information OF au.
th~ntic data, which il was desirable that the
Senate should also have
Mr.. YULEE thought there no necessity for
the passage Of the resolution, the subject was
under investigation by the Committee on Terrific
ries who could call on the President for any
necessary information touching the subject
Mr.. GEYER had no other objection TO the
but assumed as fact that men from the State Of
Missouri had been marched into the Territory OF
Kansas for the purpose of taking possession OF
said Territory He thought The difficulties had
grown ont Of the doings OF the Emigrant Aid
Society, who had sought 10 take possession Of the
Territory and exclude from II others who bad a
like right with themselves That men had gone
there from Missouri for the purpose OF settling he
was aware, but that they went there armed for the
purpose Of controlling the elections be did not
believe. Why had there not been societies for
The settlement Of Nebraska, Utah, New Mexico,
&c2
Mr. FESSENDEN contended that the sole
object Of the resolution TO have any nforma
ton in the possession ofthe Executive, and spoke
OF the excitement in the public mind in relation TO
the subject, and that IL was due TO the occasion
that they should have communicated 10 them all
the facts in the hands Of the President.
Mr.. TOUCEY hoped that the resolution would
be adopted, but in proper form, calling on the
President for any informa alton in his possession re-
laling 20 the af-rs in Kansas. He thought Con-
gress should direct its attention 10 the matter and
come 10 the aid Of the Executive in sustaining
the laws. He approved OF the whole course OF
the President; and, so long as we had Constitu.
lion and laws, il was the duty OF all TO sustain
them. He thought the subject had better be post.
poned, as the Senator from South Carolina, mr.
BuTLER) was entitled TO The floor on another sub
ject.
Mr. CLAY Withdrew his motion 10 postpone in.
dehnately when
Mr.. WILSON avowed bis willingness 10 allow
the subject 10 go over, and that IL should be so
modified as TO assume any shape that Senators
pleased as his object was merely 10 obtain the
information.
The further consideration was postponed until
tomorrow.
NAVAL BOARD
The Senate then took up The following resolu-
ton
Rcsolued, Thatthe Secretary the Navy be di.
rected 10 communicate 10 the Senate a copy OF the
report made 10 HE Department by the Board Of
Naval Officers convened at Washington, IN pur.
suance OF an act passed February 2s 1855. entitled
An act 10 promote the efficiency Of the navy y
and Of the record, journal or other papers accom-
panying laid report or in the absence OF such
papers, that he further inform the Senate whether
the causes for which officers OF the navy recon-
mended by that Board TO be dismissed or retired
accompanied their report, or were otherwise made
known in writing TO the Department; and " so,
that he communicate TO the Senate copy Of the
same.
Mr.. BUTLER addressed The Senate nj length