The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-05-20
THIRTY-fIfTH CONGRESS,
FIRST SESSION.
Friday, May IA, 1853.
SENATE

Friday, May IA, 1853.
SENATE.
A resolution of inquiry was introduced by
Mr.. Bright, calling for any information or con-
respondeuce relative to the alleged seizure or
search of American vessels by foreign armed
cruisers in the Gulf of Mexico or the adjacent
waters.
The Senators from the new State of Mime
sofa drew lots for the Senatorial class to which
they should be respectively assigned, the result
of which was, that Mr.. Shields drew the term
expiring on the Sd of March, 1859, and Mr..
Rice the term expiring on the Sd of March,
1868
Mr.. Rice offered resolution asking for the ap-
pontment Of special committee to investigate
the charges made against hira by certain citi-
zens of Iowa. The consideration OF the reso-
luton was postponed in consequence OF the abb
sence of Mr.. Harlan, the Senator through whom
the charges had been preferred.
The Senate then proceeded to take up the
private calendar, and spent the residue of the
DAYS session in the discussion of private bills.
HOUSE
The day was devoted to private bills, num-
Der of which were reported and passed. The
private calendar was then taken mp, and con-
siderable progress was made upon it, when, at
half past four o'clock, the House found itself
without quorum. A call of the House was then
ordered, the proceedings under which occupied
its attention until half pact eleven o'clock, when
an adjournment took place. 4.
Saturday, May Is, 1853.
SENATE
The day had been assigned by previous reso-
luton to the consideration of business relating
to the District of Columbia and, after some
debate as to the priority of business, Mr..
he
priation bill,) it was decided by the Senate to
adhere to the original order, devoting the day
to legislation for the District.
Several bills were considered, debated, and
passed, among the most important of which
we're bill for the enforcement of mechanics
liens on buildings &C., in the District of Colum-
bis, bill for the benefit of public schools in
the city of Washington, and bill authorizing
the organization Of FIRE department in the
District.
The only one of these measures which gave
rise to much debate was that in relation to the
public schools of Washington. Mr.. johnson, of
Tennessee, moved to strike out from the bill
the section authorizing the payment from the
Treasury of the United States of any sum not
more than twenty thousand dollars to the sup
port of public schools in this city, provided the
same sum shall be raised by the corporation
of Washington for the same purpose. He OBJ
posed this grant, on the ground of Its imputed
uaconstitutionality. The Congress of the United
States had no right, In his opinion, to appro-
pirate the money of the National Treasury for
the education of children in this District.
Mr.. Brown zsalously defended the provision,
on the ground that it was the duty of the Fed
eral Government, as the largest property holder
in the city, to contribute to the maintenance of
common schools in the same. 1t was calcula.
fad thaft ba of ho l,c hut1d in,
the city was about equal to that of all the pri.
vate property in Washington, and it was there
fore just and proper that the Government should
bear an equal share in the burden of support.
ing an educational system.
Mesrrs. Wilson, Seward, and Crittenden, also
defended the constitutionality and propriety of
the measure Mr.. Toombs opposed it from
considerations of expediency, without entertain
ing the question of constitutional power, which
he thought more than doubtful. Mr.. Green
slso briefly argued against the allowance Of
the grant.
The motion to strike out the section, being
put to vote at the conclusion of the debate, was
lost-yeas l3, nays 26. After which, the bill
was read third time and passed.
The resolution directing an inquiry into the
truth of certain allegations made by citizens of
Iowa against Mr.. Rice, Senator from the
State of Minnesota, was called up during the
session of Saturday, and the whole subject re
ferred to the Committee On Military Affairs.
At four o'clock, the Senate prodeeded to hold
an Executive session.
HOUSE
Mr.. R. w. Latham, of this city, whose arrest
had been ordered for disobeying a summons to
appear as witness before one of the investiga-
ting committees, was arraigned, and ordered to
be discharged, upon his appearing and testify
ing before the committee. The several private
bills reported from the Committee of the Whole
Co Friday were passed, except bill for the re-
lief of the city of Carondelet, Missouri, which
was rejected. A motion was submitted to dis
charge the Committee ON the Judiciary from
the further considerations of one of the memoir
ais asking for the impeachment of Judge Wat
rous, of Texas; but no action was had on the SUBJ
lect. The bill to refund to certain merchants
OF New York the duties on goods destroyed by
ire in l945 was fur her considered, and finally
laid on the table, by yeas SO, nays Is. The
House adjourned at a quarter past four
oclock.-Nationsl Lntelli9encer.