The Washington union., 1858-02-20
CONGRESSIONAL.
Thirty-Fifth Congress Session.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1858,
SENATE.


Mr. PUGH presented u petition of citizens of Ohio,
praying Improvement Of the harbors OF Mackinaw city
the straits of Mackinaw, in the State of Michigan
which was referred 10 the Committee ON Commerce.
Mr. r. aiso presented two petitions OF citizens of Cin
cinnad Ohio, praying that quarter section of land in
the proposed Territory Of Arizona may be granted to each
actual settler ressrving 10 the United States the right to
the minerals therein which referred to the Com
mittoe Public Lands.
Mr.. +. also presented the petition OF Shrock ohir
ley, contractors for carrying the mail hom Loasvio
Kcntaky, to St Louis, Missouri, praying 70 oe reIevcd
from certain fines alleged TO have been unJust imposed
upon them which was referred 10 the Committee on
the Post Office and Post Roads.
Mr. THOMSON of New Jersey, presented the memorial
Douglas Ottngcr praying compensation for the labor
and expcnse attending his invention of apparatus for
recung passengers from sinking vessels In the open
called the life surf car which wasreerred 10 the Com
mitttee Commerce.
Mr. T. also presented the memorial Of J. r. Kings
land praying payment for paper for printing ordered by
the SD and saith Congresses which was referred to the
Committee Finance fNHA
Mr. IT, also presented the petition of s. Van Sickc
j. X Belerjeau and George G. Leidy, contractors for
carrying the mail from New York to Philadelphia pray
ing an increase of their compensation which was re-
ferred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post
Roads
Mr. JOHNSON, of Tennessee presented petition of
Apollo Hcrold and other citizens of the United States
praying that the public lands may cease TO be considered
Of revenue and that they be subject to entry by
actual settlers aud cultivaton only which ordered
TO lie on the liable.
Mr. GREEN presented the memorial of Joseph c. Ir-
win Co., praying indemnity for losses suffered while
transporting merchandise 10 Great Salt Lake City, con-
sequence of orders of Col Johnston, commanding the
United States troops In Utah which referred to the
Committee Military Affairs
Mr. JOHNSON, of Arkansas presented paper rela-
ting to the claim Of j. Pray and G. Ayline contractors
Mail-route No 1903, to additional compensation
which referred 10 the Committee the Post Office
and Post Roads
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
nsructing the Committee the Judiciary to inquire
whether any legislation s necessary to provide for the
compensation Of any district judges of the United States
who may be designated and appointed under and by v
tue of the act entitled An act to provide for holding
courts of the United States In the of sickness dis
ability Of the judges of the district courts and to report
by bill or otherwise.
On motion by Mr. JOHNSON, of Arkansas, a resolu
tion adopted instructng the Committee the Post
Office and Post Roas to inquire into the claim of the con
tractors route No. 1903 from Little Rock to Wash
ington In Arkansas and to report by bill otherwise
On motion by Mr.. HALE it ordered that when the
Senate adourns to-day 1t be TO meet on Tuesday next
THE ARMY BILL
At one clock the senate resumed the consideration Of
the special order being the bill to increase the military
establishment of the United States.
Mr. IVERSON said that the chairman of the COMMITTEES
Military Affairs, Mr.. DAvIs,l who was now detained
from his by Sickness desired present before
vote taken the BILL in order to have opport
nifty to reply to remarks which had been made upon
IT, q
the bill be postponed until Tuesday next ut clock
Mr., CLAY suggested that the debate might go on to-
day, and the vote could be taken on Tuesday.
Mr.. IvERSON replied that he should object to having
vote taken before next "Wednesday. Several senators
were going to Richmond, to attend the celebration next
Monday and would not be hack before Wednesday morn
ing. He hoped, therefore, that the Senate would post
pone the debate until Tuesday and take vote on the
bill on Wednesday
The motion was agreed to.
PRIVATE BILLS
On motion by Mr. WADE, the Senate proceeded to the
consideration Of the private calendar and the following
bills were severally read third time and passed
Bill for the relief of Tcnch Tlghman
Bill for the relief of Jonas F. Keller.
Bill for the relief of Elias Hail. of Rutland Vermont
Bill for the relief of DR.. Charles d. MAXWELL surgeon
in the United States navy.
Bill for the relief of John Dick, Of Florida.
Bill for the relief of Daniel Whitney.
Bill to authorize Mrs Jane Smith to enter certain lands
in the State of Alabama
Bill for the relief of j. Wilcox Jenkins
Bill for tho relief Of Laurent Millaudon.
Bill to vest the title to certain warrants for land in
George NJ Gordon
Bill for the relief of George A. O Bricn
Bill for the relief of Major Benjamin Alvorl n,ymas
ter United States army
Bill explanatory of an act entitled An act for the re-
lief Of Dempsey pittman, approved August is, 1856
Bill for the relief of Susanna r. Lea widow and od
mnistatrix of James Magenen late of the city of Bat
more
Bill to amend the "Act to incorporate the Columbia
lnStruCOn OF the Deaf Dumb
the Blind, approved February l6 1857
Bill releasing to the legal representatives of John Nc
Mel deceased the title Of the United States certain
tract of land
Bill to incorporate the Benevolent Christian Association
of Washington city.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Mr.. HOUSTON desired TO be permitted to make per
sonal explanation and objection being made he
proceeded TO say that he noticed in the washington
Union day or two since communication over the sig
nature of Texas, commenting HIS course in present
ing the joint resolutions from the legislature of his State
in reference to investigation of the charges against
Judge Watous He presented those resolutions because
they had been enclosed to him. and he knew of no other
disposition to make Of them and he had made no re-
mark whatever that occasion Intending to express
any opinion upon the subject at ALL The writer of the
communication seemed to have called in question the
propety of his course in presenting those resolutions
but he did not regard that act improper in any way
As to Judge Watrous he did not know whether he was
guilty not; he had made charge against him but
It known that this had been subject of excitement
and agitation in Texas for ten years past and was due
to Judge w., high judicial fnnctonary and also due
to the people of Texas that he should have m opporu
nifty of vndicatng his character before the world and
he has been falsely charged of restoring himself to the
confidence that necessary for high judicial fonc
tionary to possess in order to give weight to his decs
IONS IT. the contrary, the people have suffered under
judicial tyranny andgrcvance it is due them that this
investigation should be made He believed he was only
acting in the discharge Of his duty in presenting the oint
resolutions and he inclined to think that the writer
Of the communication Of those who were not Mt
all anxious TO have the investigation which the egsa
ture of Texas desired