The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-01-05
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
THIRTY-FIFTH CONGRESS- SECOND SESSION,
SENATE.

SENATE.
The Senate met in the old hail. The galleries
were densely crowded with spectators
Mr. STUART moved to admit ladies on the floor to
witness the ceremonies. Objected to.
Mr.. DAVIS submitted a report in reference to the
assignment of seats in the new Hall.
Mr. CRITTENDEN said he hoped the report would
be adopted; but, before it was, he would like to
make few remarks on this day-the last of the
session in this hall. 1t would no longer be known
as the Senate hail. and parting from it on this
day was solemn one. There were many associa-
tons, proud and pleasant, that bound Senators to
this hall. lie felt these influences especially as he
had held seat in this body more years than any
other member now present. That all Senators
should be attached to it natural; they could
not leave without sacred feelings.
This hall had been the scene of great events
Great actors had appeared here and the questions
OF the Constitution, of peace, and of had been
debated. These gave sort of consecrated aspect to
the hall. The memory of the illustrious dead who
had been here, now arose before him. From his
observation he could well say that this hall had
contained some of the greatest men, whose fame or
abilities far exceeded that of any Grecan or Roman
orator.
He had seen Clay, Webster, Benton. Clavton
Lee, and many others whose names and fame were
well known to all, gathered here in this hall They
maa ieit thelr Impressions upon these very walls
ms maJestlc dome even echoed their acts, and it
hadbecome to them a local habitation oftheir names
lie would not speak of those who had not vet closed
their career. They would take with them to the
new chamber all the inspirations of the old one
which had originated with their llustrious prede-
cessors. F
But wherever this Senate convened whether
uhder these domes, or desert it would be ac-
tnated by its great patriotic spirit and its love for
the the Constitution and the Union. The scenes of
this chamber of the pact and those in the new
chamber would be ior .he future
Inc report was then adopted, ana the Vice Presi-
dent delivered brief and pertinent address, in
hn oil dad
congress had met-during the Revolution at Pbila-
delphia, Baltimore, Lancaster and Yorktown: and
aiter the peace at Princeton, Annapolis, Trenton
and New York.
lie recapitulated the history of the steps taken
under the act of confederation and after the adon
uon OF the Constitution to have Congress convene
at one place, which at length resulted in the seec
Clon OF federal city, now called Washington The
nrst Congress met here in November 1900 DURING
tne m war OF lSl2 after the British had DESTROYED
lne OLD capital, Congress met at Bodrett's Hotel
de then narrated the history of the building of the
present capital and the position of the Senate as
part OF the Government. He referred to the fact
that formerly all the important debates occurred
IN the House OF Representatives, the Senate usually
slttlng with closed doors. He contrasted the pro-
portions OF the two halls, and stated that while in
@ as one onethird the space was allotted to specta
tors In the new hall wothirds were devoted to the
same purpose. lie then adverted to the immense
growth OF this country in extent population
wealth and power, indulging in the most glowing
ahucipatlons OF its future, and concluded with an
eloquent tribute to Calhoun, Webster CLAW and
the other great men who had been prominent actors
in that hall
The Senate then proceeded to the new Hall and
business went on as usual. Owing to the bad ar
rangement of the reporters seats in the new Hall
seeing and hearing is next to impossible !
Mr.. MALLORY, from the Committee on Naval
Affairs, reported bill for the construction of ten
bill at an early day.
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Tenn, introduced resolution
reiefrlng TO the Committee on Finance, that por-
tloD OF the Presidents message relating to a re-
uuctlon In the Government expenditures. He made
speech on the subject, stating that the expenses of
government had increased 2SO0 per cent bevond
the increase OF population and that at this rats the
government would soon become bankrupt.
mr.. HUNTER said it was better to go to the De-
Partments Tor recommendations of reform instead
OF TO the Finance Committe which had not time to
make the examination called for
Mr.. FEssENDEN concurred with Mr. Hunter.
MI biGlER thought that by dividing the inquiry
among the various committees more rasmit
would be accomplished He concurred in the de-
sire OF Mr. johnson 20 promote economy but h.
91ected to the policy of putting this duty on the
Finance Committee ~ "
A long but uninterestng discussion ensued in
which Messrs. Shields, Davis, Collamer, Mason
stuart, and Others participated the chief point at
issue Isl Dehg whether the inquiry should be made by
the finance Committee. Without coming To y
vote, the Senate went into Executive session and
then adjourned anu
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Inc House OF Representatives met at l2M.
Mr. JONES, OF Tennessee, moved call of the
House. Carried-yeas so, navs 81
Upon the call being made l22 members (bainoa
quorum answered to their Names
The Committees were then called for reports
Among the bills and resolutions of general inter
est reported, were the following:
BY Mr.. CoMINs, from the Committee on Com
merce, bill making appropriations for survcv
OF the harbor of Boston.
BY Mr. WAsHBuRNE, of ILL.,, bill making arpro-
priationS @ . lor the Improvement of Milwaukee river
and the harbor Of Chicago.
BY Mr.. Curtis, of Iowa, a Joint resolution rro
Wding Tor the appointment of committee con
slstlng oil one Senator, two members of tbe Honsa
ana SIX officers of the army, selected from the df
ierent arms OF the service, whose duty II sbou;d
be to revise the military and volunteer laws of tb
states ana the army regulations, and report sucb
changes as may be necessary to increase the eff
ciency OF the militia and army to the next CONGRESS
Objected to. Co.'S
- by Mr.. LETCHER, resolution callinc on tbo
Secretary OF the Interior for statement of the an
hual expenses OF the Supreme Court since 1853.
Mr.. PHELPS moved that the House 90 into Com
mittee of the Whole Agreed to NJ P 5lioo I'm
the chair. o'N III
Inc indian appropriation bill was then taken I'M
ana considered. 1t approprates 81, ,S65,5I9
Mf. LovEJ0Y, OF ILL.,, moved to strike out that
portoa which provides for incidental EXPENSES for
presents OF goods and agricultural imnIemnnts 20
Indians, and for locating them upon reservatinns in
New Mexico, Texas, Oregon and Wasbin%tor en- d,a
which he said there were no treaty stipulations and
which covered about one-fourth Of tha an,ot oio ~
propriated by the bill up
Mr.. BABBITT, of Washington, moved as an amend
ment an appropriation to enable the chiefs of Indian
tribes in that Territory to visit the principal cities
OF the United States. He advocated the proposition
on the ground that peace would thereby be nronno
ted by exhibiting to the Indians the nower and
strength of the country. ~
=, Mr.: PHELPS explained, in reply to Mr.. Loveiov.
that 1t had been the policy of the government to
distribute agricultural implements AMONG the In
dlans and locate them upon reservations with tba
view OF clvlzing them, and inducing them to cuI-
tlVate the arts of peace. For this object the an
Pnopiiation no was asked In reply to Mr.. Babbitt
he salu tha IN the present condition of the treasury
an appropriation for the object he had referred 70
was not considered expedient
Mr.. HoUsroN, of Alabama wanted to know who
controlled these appropriations under the head of
miscellaneous and incidental expenses
Mr.. PHELPS said the estimates had been nresent
ed by the superintendent of Indian affairs and ex
amlned by the Secretary of the Interior. The dis
pursements were made at the various Indian apen-
cies. go
Mr.. HoUsToN not satisfied with the explana.
ton. The condition of the treasury demanded that
all these appropriations should be strictly exam
ned, and the restraints OF law thrown around their
disbursement. OF this particular annronr;ation bo
knew nothing, except that it was asked b. .be Com
missioner of Indian Affairs. He was opposed TO
the loose system appropriation, and had no idea
o Young the money out OF the pockets of the people
upon the mere demand of an executive officer or
the goverement W
Mr.. BRANCH said he did not wish to vote AGAINST
that appropriation, but hoped it would be but in
proper form, that the House might know for
what it was voting.
The Committee then rose.
Various reports from the Secretary of the Trea-
sury were presented, and a message received from
the President in regard to our relations with China
The House then adjurned.
ILLINOIS Coal The supply of coal received at
Chlcago mas been, until within the last two years
drawn mainly from Pennsylvania and Ohio. II IL
now well ascertained fact that Illinois contains
within its borders more coal than any other STATE
IN the Union, with the single exception of Pepnsyl
yanla Coal has been examined and analyzed and
over hundred mines are now being worked in
thlrty-one different counties in the State Az
cordlng to DR.. Norwood's Geological Survey of the
State, coal exists in 81 out of 100 counties of The
State. " '"'
Previous to 1857 although very rich deposits of
coal were known in Illinois, the want of experienced
miners caused the quantity of coal mined to be very
lght But during that and the past year number
OF miners from Pennsy lvania have been emploved
In the work. and quantity of Illinois coal brought
into market has been greatly increased
Among the most important of the coal fields of
Illinois, are those near La Sale on the Illinois
river. This basin of coal is fifteen miles in diam.
ter, and contains at the least calculation one hun
dred ana nifty millions (l50, 000) of tons of coal
IL Is situated at the terminus of the Illinois river
The Illinois Central and the Rock Island railroads