The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-02-05
lin CONGRESS OF THE u. STATE
thirty Fourth Congress First Session.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1856.
SENATE.
EXECUTIVE CONGREGATIONS,

SENATE.
EXECUTIVE coaMusIcArIoNs
The PRESIDENT pro lem presented letter Of the gov
ernor Illinois, in relation to the election OF the Hon.
man Trumbul by the legislature Of that State senator
in Congress- and to his election and appointment as JUS
tice Of The supreme court of Illinois; which was read
Mr. TRUMBuLL repeated what he had heretofore stated
thai he ceased to be judge and his successor was elected
more than eighteen months before his election to the
Senate
Mr.. SEWARD desired to know whether there was any
need OF referring ibis document to commtteewhether
any member Of the body entertained the opinion that
State the Union had power by its constitution to fix
and define the qualifications for senators in the Congress
of the United States He reminded senator's that such an
effort made ia the former constitution of the State OF
New York by dsquaying member Of that legislature
for holding Office the rift Of the legislature during the
term for whe he was elected but notwithstanding that
provision of the constitution the Hon. Nathaniel r. Tall
adge member of the senate Of New York at the time
and while still holding his seat elected to the Senate
OF the United States by the legislature and sat here
and filed his Of Office lie supposed that on that
subject there was but ono opinion viz that
the of the United States the supreme law
with regard to the qualifications of electors.
Mr.. MASON thought the source from which the letter
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
MEMORIALS, PETITIONS, ETC.
Mr. SEWARD presented FIVE petitions citizens Of New
York praying that the bountyland act Of March B. 1885,
may be amended to admit paro testimony in proof Of
claims to pensions and bounty land which referred
10 the Committee on Pensions
Mr. s also presented petitions of citizens Of New
York praying that pensions may be granted to soldiers
aud who engaged in the last with Great
Britain; which were referred to the committee
Mr. S. also presented the petition of the heirs OF Samuel
Adams praying allowed the hapay for life due their
ancestor for services as surgeon In The
arm which was referred to the Committee on Revou-
tionary Claims.
Mr. also presented similar petition from one Of the
heirs Of Francis Lavarnway deceased officer in the
olutionary army which referred to the same COM
mittee-
Mr. s. also presented the petition Of the heirs Of Samuel
White praying permission locate military warrant is
sued said White for his services In the last with
Great Britain which was referred to the COMMITTEES on
Private Land Claims.
Mr s. also presented petition of $40 citizens of ogdens-
bureh, New York, praying the erection Of freproof
building for the accommodation Of the customh house and
post office at that place which referred to the Com
mitee on Commerce.
Mr.. FISH presented the memorial of Washington A.
Bartlett late lieutenant in The navy who has been dis
missed complaining that injustice has been done him and
praying snch redress Congress may deem just and prop
fairs
Mr. coLLAMER presented the memorial Of Robcr, b.
Eiel lieutenant in the navy who has been placed upon
the reserved list complaining that injustice had been done
him. and appealing to Congress for redress which
ferred TO the Committee on Naval Affairs.
Mr. CRlTTENDES presented similar memorial from
VIM NJ. Armstrong commander in the navy which was
referred to The same committee.
Mr. JAMES presented similnr petition from Lieutenant
Robert Handy and Mr. HAMLlN presented similar pc
tition from Commander Joseph T. Jarvis which were re-
fcrred 10 the same committee.
Mr BRIGGS presented The memorial Of Lieut. J. n Maj
e. Marin Complaining OF the action Of the late naval board
which were referred TO the same committee.
MT. lVERSoN presented the petition OF Francis Nc
CURE praying to be allowed the Communication due his
cesor Merry Mcclure for services in the revolutionary
war which was referred 10 the Committee Revolution
Mr.. DODGE presented the petition Of Benjamin H.
Mooes officer in the OF 1912, praying that pensions
may be granted TO all the officers and soldiers of that
now living which referred to the Committee Mill
tary Affairs
Mr.. sIIDELL presented the memorial of the Mexican
Gulf and Southeastern Railroad Company praying grant
Of land to aid in the construction OF their railroad which
was referred TO The Committee Public Lands.
Nc. GBfER presented the memorial Of the general
sembly OF the State Of Missouri praying the adoption of
for The improvement OF the upper and lower
rapids OF the Mississippi river which referred TO the
Committee Commerce.
Mr.. @. also presented memorial from members of the
bar Of ST Louis Missouri in favor OF the establishment OF
additional judicial district in that State which was re-
ferred 10 the Committee the Judiciary.
Mr.. WELLER presented the petition OF $50 citizens OF
Washington, ID. g, praying the adoption measures TO
prevent abuses At elections in that city, which refer
red TO the Committee the District of Columbia
Mr. MASON presented the memorials Of Lieutenant
Alexander Gibson and Of Lieutenant Foxhall A. Parker
jr complaining OF the action Of the late naval board In
their which were referred 10 the Committee Ma
val Affairs
Mr. BENJAMIN presented the petition of John Lamothe
soldier IN the Of 1872 praying TO be allowed
Of pensions; which was referred to the Committee Pen
sions.
NAVAL BOARD.
Mr. TONES presented the memorial OF William y
Fitzgerald, lieutenant in the navy who has been placed
the reserved list praying 10 be restored 10 his original
position in the services which referred to the Commit
tee Naval Affairs
In presenting this petition Mr. r. took occasion to make
remarks the action Of the naval board lie held
that that board exceeded the jurisdiction conferred upon
them by the law under which they appointed their
proceedings were utterly void and they ought to have
kept record that Il might appear in each whether
they had had confined themselves within juris-
dcon granted them He believed that they had done
So and he could not therefore sanction their proceedings
IN. apye rrors he
board might haye made but as the Secretary Of the Navy
and the President had the power 10 revise their action
70 be presumed since they had not done So that the
board had not exceeded its jurisdiction.
Mr.. BENJAMIN said the board had not exercised any
Jurisdiction all Congress desired 10 rid the SER
vice OF inefficient officers and TO aid the President HE
performance of that duty had ordered naval board to
give their opinion to the efficiency Of the various officers