The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-01-20

the Committee rose.
On motion of Mr.. Underwood, of Kentucky,
the House then adjourned till Monday
Monday January II, 1859.
SENATE
Commodore .SeWa,t-On motion by Mr..
Hale, the Senate proceeded to the considera-
ton Of the joint resolution comforting the rank
of senior flag officer on the active service list of
the United States navy on Captain Charles
Stewart.
Mr.. Doolittle inquired whether this Joint res
olution proposed to affect his pay or rank
Mr.. Hale replied that it would not it would
only place him on the active list instead of be-
ing on the retired list.
Mr. Doolttle then desired to know whether
it would Interfere with the rank or pay of other
commanders in the navy.
Mr.. Hale could not say as to that. He hoped
it would, but he was not certain that it did. In
making him senior officer, it would give him
the place which is now occupied by one of the
retiring board who ousted him out of it. But
the names of the officers in the navy have been
changed. The post captains wanted to be ad-
miras, aud at the last session Congress com
promised with them, and allowed them To be
called flag officers, III virtue of which the Sec
rotary OF the Navy has authorized them to have
an admiral,s flag. He had understood, also,
that some Of them had gone TO the engravers.
and had the word admiral placed ON their cards,
which they distributed III foreign ports, but not
here at home.
The Joint resolution was read third time.
and passed by the following vote:
1eds-Messrs. Bates, Bell, Ben amin, Bigler,
Broderick, Chandler, Clark, Colamer. Critten-
den, Dixon, Doolitte, Douglas, Durkee, Foot
Foster, Green, Gwin, Hale, Hamlin, Hammond
Harlan Houston, Iverson, Jones, Kennedy,
Polk, Pugh, Seward, Simmons, Slidell, Stuart
Thompson of Kentucky, Thomson of New Jer
sey, Toombs, Ward, Wright, and Yulee 81
Nags-Messrs. Allen, Bright, Chestnut, Clay
Chngman, Fitzpatrick, Hunter, johnson of Ar
kansas, Johnson OF Tennessee, King, Reid, Rice
Trumbull. and Wade-l4.
On motion by Mr.. Stuart, the bill authorizing
the transfer to State authorities of the books
papers, &C., of discontinued land districts, I'M
der certain circumstances, was considered and
passed
RdreHchment and Reform.-On motion by
Mr.. johnson, of Tennessee, the Senate proceed
ed TO the consideration of the resolution which
he submitted some time since, directing the
Committee on Finance to inquire into the most
etfectual means Of reducing the expenses of the
Government to an economical basis.
Mr.. Gwin moved to amend the resolution by
striking out the Committee on Finance, and in
sorting select committee.
Mr.. Simmons hoped that motion would pre-
vail. The Senator from Tennessee had been
laboring for this object for the past fourteen
years, and had been able to accomplish very
little; and he ought to have some help.
After some further debate in which Messrs
Hunter, Stuart, Chandler, Hale, and others,
participated, the question was taken on the
of Mr. Euin -, "a, Cd
to-yeas 81, nays "a.
Mr.. Johnson, Of Tennessee, gave notice that
he should decline serving as chairman of the
select committee.
Mr.. Gwin had no desire to serve as chairman
OF the selec5 committee. He only made that
motion because he knew that the Committee OH
Finance had so much business before them that
they could not attend to it.
Mr.. Pugh moved to reconsider the vote last
taken. He had voted for a select committee
under the suppostion that the Senator from
Tennessee would be placed at its head and, if
that Senator would not consent to occupy that
position. he desired to change his vote.
The discussion of this question was interrupt
| ed by the announcement of a message from the
| House of Representatives.
The Late Hon. Thomas /. Horris-A mes
sage was received from the House of Represent
atives, announcing the death of the Hon. Thorn
as l.. Harris, late a member of that body from
| the State OF Illinois, and communicating the
| proceedings of the House thereon.
Appropriate euogles on the deceased were
| delivered by Messrs. Douglas, Shields, and Da-
Wis; and, after the adoption of the customary
resolutions,
The Senate adjourned.
The Speaker stated the business first in order
to be the motion of Mr. Phelps, of Missouri, TO
suspend the rules. to enable him to introduce
the following resolution:
Resoloed, That during the ensuing two weeks
it shall be in order, each day after to-day for the
Committee of the Whole on the state of the
Union to take recess until seven O clock p. NJ,
after which hour general debate may be indulg-
ed in provided that no vote shall be taken at
such evening session, except on the motion that
the Committee rise and the House adjourn.
The rules were suspended, and the resolution
adopted.
TIE Late Thomas L. Hayris-Mr. Norris of
Illonois, then announced the death of the late
Hon. Thomas l.. Harris, of that State, paying
feeling tribute to his private worth and public
services. As statesman and public legislator
he said, the deceased possessed abilities of a
high order, which were constantly called into
active requisition, and the memory of his many
virtues would be the cherished Jewel in the
casket ofall who knew him. But at the moment
of his greatest usefulness he was called into a
more glorious field OF action, where the Just are
made perfect. He never betrayed friend, nor
deceived an enemy, if enemy he had /; corrup-
ton never ventured to reach up his tempting
hand towards him he was above suspicion.
In conclusion, Mr.. Morris offered the following
resolutions
Resolred, That this House has heard with
deep regret of the death of the Hon. Thomas
l.. Harris, late member of this House from
the State of Illinois.
Resolced, That las testimonial of respect
for the memory of the deceased) the members
of this House will wear the usual badge of
mourning for thirty days.
Resolced, That the proceedings of the House
hpon the announcement of the death of Hon.