The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-02-27
IN CONGRESS OF THE U. STATES.
Thirty-Fourth Congress-Third session.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY ss, 1857.
SENATE.


THURSDAY, FEBRUARY ss 1851.
SENATE.
Hon CHARLES SUMNER from the State Of Massachusetts,
appeared in his seat this morning.
CREDENTIALS PRESENTED.
Mr. PRATT presented the credentials Of Hen ANTHONY
KENNEDY elected senator by the legislature of the State
Of Maryland for the constitutional term of six years from
and after the 4th Of March next which read and
ordered TO be placed on file
EXECUTIVE CONCENTRATIONS
The PRESIDENT pro laid before the Senate a com
munication from the Secretary of War; in answer to
resolution of the Senate transmitting certain correspond
and reports of the officers in charge of the purchase
and Importation of cames and their employment for pur
poses Of in the military service of the United
States and also in reference the general characteristics
by Mr. WELLER it referred to the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs and ordered to be printed.
The PRESIDENT pro tenn. also laid before the Senate
communication from the Secretary Of the Interior
resolution of the Senate calling for information
to the number of widows drawing pensions &c
was referred to the Committee on Pensions and
dered to be printed.
The PRESIDENT pro tenn also laid before the Senate
report from the Commissioners Of Patents transmitting, in
obedience to law statement Of the and various
kinds Of seeds procured for distribution aud the of the
same; which read and, on motion by Mr.. SEWARD,
it was laid on the table and ordered to be printed
MEMORIALS PRESENTED.
Mr. BROWN presented additional papers in relation
the claim of Eeonore Motion which referred to the
Committee of Claims.
RESOLUTION SUBMITTED.
Mr. JONES of Iowa. submitted the following resolution
which lies over until tomorrow, under the rule:
Resolved That the Secretary of War be directed to
municate to the Senate the reports recently made by Lieut.
States army touching the continuation Of the
of the harbor of Dubuque, Iowa.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
Mr.. DOUGLAS asked and obtained leave to introduce
bill authorizing the erection Of post office building at the
city of Cairo Illinois, which read twice and referred
to the COMMITTEES on Commerce.
Mr.. WILSON asked and obtained leave to introduce
bill authorizing the erection Of courthouse in the city Of
Boston; which read twice and referred to the Com
mittee on the Judiciary.
SENATOR INDIANA.
Mr. TRUMBULL said that he had been requested to
sent the Senate memorial from twentyseven of the
and thirty of the members of the house of
representatives of the general assembly of Indiana stating
that it is important their rights well to the rights
of the State of Indiana that there should be speedy
cision in the of Hon. Mr. FITCH who claims to have
been elected seat in the United States Senate Among
other for asking this they state that the present
general assembly of that State will expire by constitutional
limitation the ninth day of March next and they deem
desirable that this contested may be decided
during the present session Of Congress and before the
praon of the present session of the general assembly of
Indiana Mr. T. remarked that the request of the petition
seemed to be reasonable that he trusted would re-
ceve the favorable consideration OF the Committee on the
Judiciary and that they would make an early report
the subject
Mr.. TooMBs said that he was prepared to make
port from the Judiciary Commttee that subject
and proceeded to read the The report sets forth that
the committee find that important matters of fact al
legged by the contestants, in relation the manney in
which the election of Hon. Mr. FITCH held denied
him and it therefore becomes necessary take the
mopy Of persons residing IN the State Of Indiana for the
better ascefainmen Of these disputed facts In order
accomplish this object the committee recommend that
leave be given to take testimony In the city OF indianapolis
in the State Of Indiana, and report the following resolu
ton:
ove That in the case Of the contested election Of the
Hon. GRAHAM FITCH, senator returned and admitted to
his from the State Of Indiana the sitting member and
take testimony on tho allegations Of the protesan and the
sitting member touching al matters Of fact therein contain
ed before the district court of the United States
pr any Judge Of the supreme circuit Of the State of
Indians BY rst giving ten days notice of the time and place
city of Indianapolis.
Mr. TOOMBS remarked that one of the important ques
tons involved in the consideration Of the legality Of this
election was whether three who acted
in the general assembly of Indiana legally entitled
their seats not This is conrovered point and the
committee were unable to report the facts TO the Senate
without first taking testimony in regard TO this point He
had looked into the presidents in similar cases. from the
beginning of the government down the present time
and found that they had been somewhat various in their
character Under the order of the other house Of
Congress- sometimes testimony had been taken by commits
sion who authorized to send for persons and papers
sometimes il has been done by bringing the witnesses be-
tore the house. and sometimes by authorizing testimony
be taken by judicial magistrates in the different States Of
the Union He supposed the latter mode would be less
and more convenient and the committee had there
fore recommended it,
Mr.. STUART objected to the present consideration Of
the subject as likely to give rise to debate and interfere
with the morning business
The resolution accordingly lies over until to-m morrow
under the rue and the report of the committee
dered to be printed
REPORTS COMMITTEES.
Mr.. STUART, from the Committee on Public Lands, to
whom referred the House bill extend the provisions
of act entitled can act in addition certain grant
ing bounty lands certain officers and soldiers who have
been engaged in the military service Of the United States
to the officers and soldiers Of Major Baieys battalion Of
Cook county (Illinos) volunteers reported 1t without
amendment, and recommended its passage.
Mr.. s, from the committee, to whom referred
memorial of the Boston, Concord, and Montreal Rail-
road Company praying grant of the public lands aid
memorials of the legislature Of Iowa. in reference to grants
Of lands to that State for railroad purposes asked to be
discharged from the further consideration Of the
which was agreed to-
Mr.. SEWARD, from the Committee on Commerce, to
whom the subject had been referred reported bill
thorize the President of the United States to to be
procured by purchase otherwise suitable steamer
revenue cutter to be stationed the Pacific coast of the
United States; which read and passed to second
reading
Mr. s., from the same committee, to whom referred
the memorial of citizens Of Castine Maine in relation
the erection of harbor light on Nagtilus Island Point
submitted an adverse report thereon.
Mr.. s., from the committee, to whom was referred
the bill to remove distractions to the navigation of the
Maumee bay and river below the city Of Toledo Ohio
ported back without amendment and recommended its
passage
Mr. S. from the committee also reported back the
memorial of William M. Ellis and asked to be discharged
from the further consideration thereof which agreed
to.
Mr. BIGLER from the Committee on the Post Office and
Post Roads, to whom referred memorial of citizens