Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-01-07
Congressional.

WAsHIyGToN. Jan 4-SENATE The Senate met
at noon in the old hail. from which the desks had
been removed end supply Of cane seated chairs
provided for temporary accommodation Of members.
The galleries and floor were crowded by 8 dense
throug, notwithstanding the snow storm, it having
been understood that Vice President Breckinridge
and others would speak. The proceedings as usual
opened with prayer, and the reading Of the
journal
Mr. Stuart of Michigan, moved that as many ladies
are unprovided with seats in the galleries they be
admitted to the floor.
Mr. Hamlin, of Maine, objected on the ground
that the admission of ladies would emil arr the
legitimate business, consequently the ladies' were
net admitted.
Mr. Davis, of Mississippi, submitted the report of
the committee stating that the new chamber was
ready for the Senate.
Mr. Crttenden, Of Kentucky, moved the adoption
Of the report.
The Vice President then said The parting from
this chamber he thought was act Of munh sclem-
nity. Many associations and many of them proud
and pleasant, bind to this chamber, which has
been the scene Of great events, Questions of the
American Constitution, questions of great national
import, questions of peace aud war, have been de-
bated in this chamber; great men have been the
tors within these walls. Hs had seen men whose
names and fame have not been surpassed in the an
nails of Greek or Roman hi-tory. Here he had seen
Clay Webster, Calhoun, Lee, Wright, and others;
they seem to have left on these very walls the i'm
press of their fame. This majestic dome yet seems
TO echo 10 their voices.
There are others too, whom he would not desig-
nate for they had not yet fulfilled their political
services but whose names in no danger of be-
ing forgotten. When Senators remove TO the new
chamber they will carry with them the inspiration
of their illustrous predecessors. They will leave
behind them iets of patriotism or attachment to
tie Constitution. These our household gods.
They are carryed with us to the new hail. and will
L., A., If fbor vrItl
main, the Senate of the United States, the great
preserva,ve body Of this great uation, conserving
the sovereignty Of the States and the integrity of
the Union.
The Wee President continued at length, address,
ing the Senate, giving a historical sketch of the
Congress at the various seats of government, uu~
til its location at Washington. He then narrated
the burning of the Capitol by the British army the
assembling thereafter of Congress in Bodgetrs
Hotel, on the site occupied by the General P0stof
ice and finally the assembling in 1872 in the PRES
ent building. Then he went into interesting
comparison Of the character of the Senate in the
early days of the Government, and how then it was
almost wholly an executive body. Much Of its
business was transacted with closed doors. The
President often took part in the debates and it was
not for many years that the galleries were provided
for spectators.
After further remarks, which we're listened to
with wrspt atgeniiou, the Senate proceeded in pro-
cession to the new hall
After reaching the new hall, and while the great
mass of spectators were settling themselves in their
places, several memorials were presented, and ow-
ing to the great noise their precise objects net
sseertained. They were apparently of q private
nature ..
Mallory, of Fla, from the Navel Committee, re-
ported bill to build ten additional sloopsofwar,
which laid over, Mallory saying that he would make
an effort to obtain early vote on it, lie also
introduced bill to raise the pay of the officers of
the Navy.
The rest of the session was devoted to the dis
cussion of Johnsons motion, instructjng the FL
nance Committee TO investigate the expenditure of
public money, and report the means to bring the ex
penses of the Government within the limits of rigid
economy.
johnson, of Tenn, Hunter, Seward, Fessenden,
Bigler looms, Shields, Davis Mars Coliamer, Ma
son. Stewart, Clingman, Green, Reed and others,
took part in the debate that ensued. All agreed
upon the necessity for retrenchment. The only
point debated was whether to refer the matter 80
the Finance Committee, or TO a special committee of
seven Without action, the Senate went into Exec
u:Ive Session
On re-openiug the doors, Hunter introduced the
first appropriation bill of the season, viz: the
Indaa Pension and Military Academy Appropri-
alton bills, after which the Senate adjourned.
HOUsE-There being no quorum present at the
hour of meeting, a call Of the House was ordered
and quorum obtained.
On motion of Bernhesil of Utah. the Committee
on Territories instructed TO inquire into the |
expediency of providing for the completion of the
Territorial Capital of Utah.
Mr. John Cochran, Of New York, presented pc,
ti,iOn from the Canal Board, asking an appropria- |
ton for the improvement Of the lake harbOr in con-
nection with the canals of the State of New ork.
Mr. Davis. of Miss, introduced bill providing !
that Invalid sesmen may receive an annual stipend /
from the Government aud reside with their friends |
when they should elect instead of being at asy-
ums
Mr. Curtis, of Iowa, asked, but failed to obtain
the consent of the House for leave to introduce
Joint resolution, providing for commission of mem
6ers Of Congress and army affairs, TO revise the
militia and army laws
Various reports from standing committees were
received, including the following by Mr. Conips of
Mass. bill making appropriations for the i'm
provemen. of the harbor and bay Of Boston.
Mr Washburn of IL, introduced the Senate bill
making appropriations for ;he in Improvement of the
mouth Of Milwaukee river and Chicago harbor.
Mr. Faulkner, Of Va, Introduced the Senate bill 1
providing for the payment Of the ella of the State
Of Maine, for expenses incurred in organizing a
regiment for the mexican war.
On motion of Mr. Phelps, the House went into
Committee of the Whole on the State of the Union
and took up the Indian Appropriation Bill but with
out arriving a. any action the BILL the committee
rose, and the House adjourned.