Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-04-11
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS

In the Senate, yesterday, after we went
to press, the debate on the motion to print
extra numbers of the memorial Of the self
styled Legislature of @ the State of Kansas
was continued by Mr.. Hale in its favor until
the hour set for taking up the special order
Mr. Stuart moved to postpone all prior Or
ders to take up the river and harbor improve
ment bill not agreed to-yeas II. nays 25.
The motion to print, above mentioned, was
then again taken up, and was debated by
Messrs. Douglas, Mason, Yulee, Butler, Bay
ard, and Cass, against it.
Mr.. Mason then offered the following reso-
luton
ResoIUed, That the order of the 7th inst,
referring paper purporting to be a memorial
of certain individuals representing themselves
as senators and representatives of the Gen
eral Assembly of the State of Kansas to the
Committee on Territories be rescinded, and
the Committee on Printing be discharged from
the consideration of the motion to print said
paper.
This resolution was then debated by Messrs.
Trumbull, Bayard, Pugh, Toucey, Seward,
Crittenden, Rusk, Butler, Benjamin and
others. In the course of the debate
Mr.. Benjamin said that he believed the
petition to be an impudent forgery, and that
1t was not the petition of the men from whom
it purpOrted to emanate The men whose
names were appended to it were now fugitives
from justice and he could see no good rea.
son for considering such an insolent memorial.
Mr.. Cas- stated that he had just had an in.
terview with the person from whom he re-
ceived the memorial, and the result of that
interview was that he was not satisfied that
the document was one that ought to be acted
upon by the Senate.
Mr.. Seward stated that he had been assured
by the bearer of the memorial that it was
true copy of one that he saw signed by all
the members of the provisional legislature of
Kansas. This gentleman (Col. Lane) was a
member of the House of Representatives from
Indiana in 1854, and voted for the Kansas
Nebraska bill.
Mr.. Hsmlin said that, if the paper was not
genuine document, lie was not in favor of its
reception or printing
The question being taken upon the resOlu-
ton, it was agreed to-yeas 81, nays 3-as
follows:
Yeas-Messrs. Adams, Allen, Benjamin, Big
den, Dodge, Douglas, Evans, Fitzpatrick, Geyer
Hamlin, Houston, Hunter, Iverson, Jones Of
Iowa, Mason, Pugh, Reid, Rusk, Sebastian, Sill
dell Stuart, T0ueey, Trumbull, Weller, Wright,
Nays-Messrs. Harlan Seward and Summers.
Mr.. Cass then asked leave to withdraw the
memorial, in order that he might return it to
the person from whom he received it which
was agreed to.
On motion, the Senate adjourned.
In the House, at the conclusion Of the
speech of Mr.. Harris of Ill, the resolutions of
the Elections Committee, deciding against the
right of Msssrs Foulke and Turney the con-
testants for the seats of Messrs. Trumbull and
Marshall OF Illinois, in the House, and award
ing them pay and mileage, we're agreed To.
Mr.. Spinner reported a resolution from the
Elections Committee unanimously afirmingthe
right Of Mr.. Fuller of Me to his scat, and
allowing his contestant, Mr.. Milliken, pay and
mileage.
Going next into Committee of the Whole
the Deficiency bill was again taken up, and
the Washington water works appropriation of
$500, 900 was debated. In the course Of this
discussion
Mr.. Phelps explained why the Ways and
Means Committee had reported against this
amendment, and said that he had always OPP
posed appropriations for this object, being
unwilling to subject the Government of the
United States to the entire cost of construc
tion Of the aqueduct, in order that the inhab-
itants of this city and those who might be
here on public business might be supplied
with water. His own plan would be, to have
Washington and Georgetown contribute a
share toward the construction Of this work,
and then place it entirely under the control Of
the two cities, the Government to have the
right to use az much Of the water as it might
need, and the cities to reimburse themselves
by levylng tax upon those who might use
the water thus brought here
Mr.. Orr had generally voted with the gen.
tleman from Missouri against the water-works
for this city. The policy Of making these ap-
preparations had been very fully discussed in
both Houses during the last and the preceding
Congress, and $3.50 900 had already been
voted toward the construction of this aque-
duct. lie considered that the Government
had committed itself to the construction of
these water-wOrks, and that the only question
the House had to decide was whether the ap-
preparation asked was to be given at this time
or at some subsequent period. Believing that,
as matter OF economy, it would be better to
make this appropriation now, he should very
cheerfully give his vote in favor of the amend
ment Of the Senate.
Mr. Meacham remarked that the gentle
man from South Carolina had fully stated the
exact views he had intended to present to the
committee There were only three months in
the year when work OH the line of the POto-
mac could be successfully prosecuted; he al
luded to the months of April, May, and juno.
After those months came the sickly season,
and hence the necessity of making this appro.
PriatiOn without delay lie had taken it for
granted that this question had been settled;
and although he had never voted for appro-
Priatlons for this aqueduct, yet he meant to
do so now. The question was, when would
they do this work Would they prosecute it
Ia the healthy months Of April, May, and
June, or would they defer it until every man
On .ne entire list was sick, shaking one day,
an anu lying abed consumed with fever the next?
mere was an actual deficiency to be provided
for, and this he would prove by causing to be
reaa communication from the War Depart.
msne, wn,cn nad this work in charge. The
communication was read, and states that if
the appropriations for the aaueduct he do.
ferred the best period of the season wonId h.
lost, and the ultimate expense of the worL
would be increased by the deterioration con-