Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-12-29

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23-SESATR.-The Senate wa
opened with prayer, read by Catholic priest. VIII,
was clothed IN the white surpee.
The usual number Of memorials were presented
/ message vas received from the President II
I contents have not yet been made known.
Mr.. Crittenden introduced bill to regulate tn,
manner OF -alaaliar,- Of = s Referred o,
| Committee on Judiciary
Mr. Ste rart, Of Michigan, attempted to bring up
/ the Agricultural College bill.
Messrs Fitzpatrick, IVerson, and Bright objected
and the Senate refused to take up the bill by vot,
| of 20 yeas TO % nays.
The bill allowing q pension to the 7i5ow ami
family Of Col. Turnbull, was taken up and warmly
advocated BY Air Crtte1aen, aud the debate on the
bill occupied considerable time over the morDipo
hour. -
Mr. Davis, Of Mississippi in the course Of his re-
marks the bill, said that if army officers Of high
atsniaents be retained in the service at small pay.
they are entitled TO a liberal construction of the
rules regulating pensions.
Mr.. Houston, Of Texas, as is his usual custom, in
cases where soldiers, their widows AMI families are
concerned, spoke zealOusy in favor of granting this
pension.
Finally, Che bill, granting $50 per month, was
adopted by a vote Of 26 yeas to is nays.
A motion was adopted that when the Senate
adjourn it be to re-assembls the 4th Of January
next, in the new hall.
HOUSE Mr.. Comins of Mass introduced bin
regulating the duties on imports and for other pur-
poses. The bill was referred 10 the Committee on
Ways and Means.
Mr.. ]. Coehrane, of N. Y, submitted q resolution
rendering the thanks of Congress to Capt. Samuel
C. Read for having designed the present flag of the
United States; referred to the Committee on Naval
Affairs.
On motion Of George Taylor, Of n. Y, special
committee of five members was ordered to be sp>
pointed to investigate the accounts Of the late super
ntendent of public printing, with power send for
persons aud papers, and 10 report az any time.
Mr.. Richie, of Pa, and Mr. Norris, Of Pa sever.
ally made unsuccessful efforts 10 introduce PROPOSES
tons looking to the alteration of the present tariff
with a view to the establishment Of protection by
special duties.
Mr.. Grow, of Pa asked and failed TO obtain leave
to introduce bill fixing the annual meeting of Con-
gress to the second Monday in November.
Mr.. Phillips Of Pa, introduced joint resolution
authorizing the President TO confer the title of cao-
tsin>in-chief for eminent naval service. Referred
to the Committee Naval Affairs.
On motion of Mr. Bocock, of Va, a resolution was
adopted calling on the President to inform the House
whether any measures have been recently taken to
procure reduction Of duties by foreign governments
on American tobacco.
Mr.. Coyode, Of Pa, asked leave to introduce a
resolution for the appointment Of a committee of
five members to enquire into the facts of the charge
made by the President of The United States CON
tanned in letter to the President of the Centen>
mary Committee Of Pittsburgh, that money had
been thrown into Pennsylvania TO influence the
State Congressional election in opposition to his
wishes and to report the names of the persons i'm
plicated The introduction of this resolution was I
objected to amid much laughter.
On motion Of Mr.. Taylor, Of Louisiana, the Cons |
mittee of Ways and Means was instructed TO inquire
into the expedienoy Of repeating so much of this /
act which provides for the debasing Of the half dol
ar and other smaller coins, aEd making them a le-
gal tender 10 sums not exceeding five dollars
He also introduced bill authorizing the State Of
4cy,. I,,t;,g =
nent Of her rivers ard channels.
Mr. Bingham, Of Ohio, introduced a bill to re.
zeal che English act for the admission of Kansas
nto the Union. Referred to the Committee on Ter
tories
Mr. Letter, Of Ohio, introduced a bill authori-
ing the people Of the TerritOrie to elect all their
ficers Referred to the same committee.
Mr. Blair, of Missouri asked, but did not receive
be consent Of the House, to introduce a resolution
eclaring the Supreme Court decision in the bred
colt case exra-judiciai illegal and void, asserting
la Congress should vindcate it's right to legisate
pom slavery in the Territories.
MIR. Phelps of Missouri from the Committee on
lays and Means reported the civil, naval, legsla5
We executive and Judicial appropriation bills
Mr.. Bingham, of Ohio, also introduced bill pro-
ding that the present mileage system be abolished
ter the present Congress, and that the members
allowed only their actual travelling expenses.
eferred to the Committee on Mileage.
Mr.. Morris, His, introduced bill for the sdmis
on Of sugar and salt duty free-and, also, bill
wing the citizens Of the Territories the right to
eet their Governors and all other officers
Mr.. WashburRe, Ills introduced bill for laying "
postroute from Leavenworth 10 the head waters IL
tbs South Fork of Platte river near Pixies Peak HI
Mr.. FarnsWorth, Ills, endesvored to introduce =
solution nstrreting the Committee on Naval AZ d.
rs 10 inquire and report what further measures
necessary to carry out Che articles in the Ash
rt0n rasty for the suppression Of the slave trade