The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-22
TTalRTY-F1TTH CONGRESs.
SECOND SESSION.
Senate.
WASHINGTON, Feb, 81, 1859,

Senate.
WASHINGTON, Feb q, 1859.
ASSAY OFFICE AT ct. LOUIS
The VICE PRESIDENT and Mr. GREEN, (adm) Of No. pre-.
scented memorials from citizens of St. Louis praying for
an assay Office there. Referred.
PASSAGE DIPLOMATIC APPROPRIATION
Mr.. HUNTER (adm.) Of Va, wished the motion Of Mr..
Simmons reconsider the vote by which the Consular
and Diplomatic Appropriation bill passed, considered
at once SO that the bill might be finally passed.
Mr. SlDEIL (adm) Of La took objection 10 Mr.. Pughs
amendment, which Saturday added TO the bill,
and showed that its effect would be to prevent the Pres
dent from sending any envoy special business, which
might become necessary the of Mexico and else
where.
Mr. GwIN, (adrn.) OF Ca moved to lay the motion to
reconsider the table he considered the practice Of
moving reconsider the appropriation bills would be pro-
ducve of serious embarrassment to the legitimate
of business.
The VICE PRESIDENT explained that Mr.. Gwins motion
in order its eff ct would be really TO lay the
ton the table, liable to be called up any time during
tho session. and would therefore, virtually suspend the
opeT alton Of the bill.
Mr.. GwIN Withdrew his motion.
Mr.. SIMMONS, (opp) of X. l., again went at length into
che question OF exchanges.
Mr FooT OPP Of VI, here attempted to bring up the
Cuba bill, as several eentemeo GA the opposite side OF
the house DESTROYS 10 express their upon It,
His motion lost
TIE DEBATE on the subject of exchanges was therefore
continued by the sBmc Senators as on saturday, bot
chiefly bs hessTs Smmons of Rhode Island, and Tfum-
boil, of NJ nos, sde and Mr. TOombs, of Georgia,
Eventually Mr.. Simmons amendment to limit the rate
Of exchange to ten per cent stricken out AMI the bill
was passedMr King, of New York, demanuing the yeas
and yeas, which resu'tei--yeas rs, nays %
APPROPRIATION
On motion OF Mr.. HUNTER, Of Va the Army Appropra-
ticn bill from the House read, and referred to the
Finance Committee.
TuK PATENT SANITY russE.
The Military Commute ted adversely tho appli-
cation OF James and Mills, for Congress TO purchase their
patent safety fusee
THE ACQUISITION CUBA.
On motion Of Mr.. SLDEIL the bill for the acquisition Of
Cuba was taken up.
Mr. MASON, (adm of Va offered an important amend
ment by Of IA substitute Tor the bill to the effect that
Congress approves the policy OF the of the Pres
dent respecting tho popriety and ultimate necessity of
acquiring Cuba that without any corumttl as f-
ture measures, should circumstances render such
saryat present Congress confines itself 10 declaration
that the United States is prepared TO receive the island
whenever Spain will transfer for fair equivalent aud
that the government can never be neutral under any
policy which would sever Cuba Spain in favor of any
foreign Power
Mr. CorIAMER, (opp) of VT. had the floor, and denied
that an expansion vi territory necessity of national
growth; IL d. ponds how much nation may have
already. Nations have grown Tor centuries, and in.
creased In wealth and power, without Increasing their
territory one inch. He con,dered the policy Of atasn
ing country by conquest by unnecessary acquisition
at variance with the whole framework OF govern
ment especially such country as does not border ou our
own, and which II would require standing army TO de-
fend. This Cuban bill based on the idea of mills
crimpae vorac''y in our people for land--an assump
coamsr discussed essora,"y the ees. which the
acquisition OF Cuba would have, with It's low priced slaves,
which, be said could be transported to Charleston at
dollar per head thus stimulating instead OF cx'ngnisbng
the slave trade. He concluded by replying Ser1tim to
the various arguments adduced by the supporters of the
bill
Mr.. MALLORY, (adm.) OF Fla. commenced speech in
favor Of the acquisition OF the island but after he had
proceeded for some time gave way for motion TO adj
journ
Adjourned.