The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-08-28
THIRTY-F0URTH CONGRESS-,
Second Session.
Thursday, august 81, 1856.
SENATE

SENATE.
Thirty EIGHT Senators were present at the
hour of opening the session. The Presidents
proclamation was read, and on motion of Mr..
Hunter, the Secretary was ordered to acquaint
the House that quorum had assembled, and
that the Senate was ready to proceed to bu-
sness.
read.
Mr.. Hunter submitted resolution suspend.
ing 80 much of the 2lst joint rule as requires
six days from the commencement of the session
before resuming the consideration of bills, &C.,
remaining undetermined on at the close of the
session, so far as relates to the army appropria.
ton bill.
Mr.. Seward said that as he had no desire to
expedite the passage Of that bill in such way
az to interfere with the free action of the House,
he would call for the yeas and nays on the reso-
luton, remarking that he had paired off with
Mr.. Toombs, and would not, therefore, vote.
The resolution was agreed to-yeas 30,
nays 6.
A resolution was adopted, continuing the
standing committees Of the last session.
The House resolution providing for the sign.
ing of such bills as failed for want of time to
receive the signatures of the presiding officers
of either House, or of the President, was con-
Cured in.
The Senate then went into Executive session,
| and after some time adjourned.
HOUSE.
The Speaker announced that the House had
assembled in pursuance of the Presidents proc
lamation, which was read, The roll was then
called, and l79 members answered to their
names. On motion of Mr.. Phelps, it was order
ed that the Senate be informed that the House
was ready to proceed to business.
:lL r 7
effort to introduce resolution looking to the
employment of Vanderbilt's proposed line of
| steamers between Jew York and the ports of
Europe, for carrying the mails. Other propo-
| sitions were objected to, several members ex-
| pressing the hope that no new business would
| be introduced.
On motion of Mr.. Campbell, of Ohio, the
| Speaker appointed the standing committees,
which are CONSTRUCTED similar to those of the
late session.
A joint committee was appointed by both
Houses to wait on the President to inform him
| that quorum of each body had assembled, and
was ready to receive any communication he
might be pleased to make.
Mr.. Pike moved resolution to give vitality
to the bills lost only for want of the signature
| of the President of the Senate or the Speaker,
70 the enrolled copies thereof.
| The rule was suspended, by unanimous con-
| sent, for its admission. =
Mr.. AcMullin asked leave to amend the res.
| olution, by providing under it for the considera-
ton of bills that had passed either House; ruled
| out of order.
| Mr.. Whitney introduced substitute for the
resolution of Mr.. Pike, which was accepted by
that gentleman, and agreed to.
/ Various efforts to get at private bills or other
business we're here made in vain, until the COM
mittee to notify the President having reported,
the Presidents Secretary, Sidney Webster, ESQ.,,
appeared at the bar, and delivered a message
| from the President.
The message merely amplihes the proclama-
ton, and is therefore omitted.
The message, on being read, was referred to
tbs Ways and Means Committee.
The House then took q recess until half past
two o'clock, P. M.
On re-assembling, Mr.. Campbell, of Ohio, re-
ported the army appropriation bill, which died
last Monday, on account of the disagreeing votes
Of the two Houses.
Some proceedings On a point Of order ensusd
when the House resolved itself into COMMITTEES
! &c .he Whole on the state of the Union-yeas
lol, nays rs.
Mr.. Campbell, of Ohio, moved to strike oa'
the Kansas restrictive proviso, heretofore incor
porated in the BILL and to substitute another, re-
pealing all laws passed by the Kansas Legisla
ture, and appropriating $4,000 to carry this
feature into effect.
This was declared out of order.
The Committee rose, and reported the same
bill as was lost on Monday last, including the
Kansas restrictive proviso.
The House then proceeded to vote, when the
bill, in the same shape as reported from the
Committee, was passed-yeas SO, nays 85.
The House then adjourned.
Friday, august %, 1856.
| SENATE.
The army bill was received from the House
Mr.. Hunter said there was no necessity for its
reference, as it Yves precisely the same as tina,
lost on Monday. It was not his purpose to de-
bate it, and he thought the question at issue
should be decided to-day. He moved to strike
ont the Kansas restrictive proviso.
Mr.. Seward agreed with Mr.. Hunter, that the
subject was perfectly understood, and be there
fore said what he wanted to say, and contented
himself by demanding the yeas and nays, sta.