The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-03-04

Mr.. IOOMfS OPPOSED The Amendment and regretted
that This question had been precipitated upon them on
This last day Of the session
Mr.. COIiAAlER opposed tho amendment on the ground
that II did not afford sufficient opportunity for goyein
nent to avail itself Of competition BE moved to amend
the amendment 10 provide that the contract therein
directed should DO made only for the year ending 3Oth
June, 1860
Mr. POLK remarked that the amendment limited the
time between New York and San Francisco end Nsw Or
leans aud san Francisco but There wac no Limitation oil
time between San Francisco and Astoria
Mr., YuIEE explained that the committee had not
been able 10 get the subject up until this late day in
sequence Of the action of the House adverse to the
mail steamer bill The overland routes would be utterly
unable to perform all the service between the Atlantic
and Pacific coasts and hence IL absolutely
saIy 70 make arrangement for steamer service IL
was quite uncertain whether they could make arrange
ments with these parties for year only This mail
service was highly important not only TO commerce, but
TO the government itself
Mr.. SEWARD in favor OF both routes and spoke
of the important commercial relations between California
and New York
Mr.. BENJAMIN said he was 50 largely interested in
the Tehuanepeo route that he should upon this
amendment, and proceeded to show the praticaby OF
that route He thought however, that the Panama line
ought 20 be kept up ii is great national line which
can be kept open when other routes are closed by the
disturbed condition of the Central American States
The amendment offered by MIR CoLLAMER agreed
The amendment as amended was then agreed to, as
follows
YEAS Messrs Allen, Bayard, Bell Bger Bright Brodcrlek,
sr9wp Cameron Chestnut CLARK coansr crlcnde1 Dixon Doc
Jones' King Lane Mallory Moo Perree Polk Pus Reid Sebastian,
Sewerd shields summons, sdeD, Ward wilson Yulee-a9
NAYsMessrs Chandler Clay, cngnap riamln, Harlan
ton lyerson Johnson Of Tennessee Rice stuart rcombs Trumbu
Mr. BROWN, from the committee of conference the
dsagreeng votes Of the two houses the bill 10 provide
for the and preservation OF the works constructed by
the United States for bringing the Potomac water into the
cities of Washington and Georgetown for the supply OF
ali - A
and benefit of the inhabitants of The said cities made
report, which concurred In The Senate recedes
from its substitute and in the House bill with
some amendments the principal of which 70 give the
work in charge of United States engineers and to author
e the cities of Washington aud Georgetown to establish
a complete system of sewerage
Mr.. BAYARD offered amendment appropriatiDg
s57 Is for continuing the publication OF the results
of Wilkoss exploring expedition which disagreed
to--yeas 10, nays 80.
Mr. b then submitted amendment appropriatiug
So go for completing certain volumes OF that publication
now nearly finished which agreed to.
Mr. MALLORY, from the Committee of Claims, re-
ported an amendment, being Senate bill decaratory of
the acts FOR carrying into effect the ninth article OF the
treaty of 1919 between the United States and Spain,
being for the benefit Of certain citizens Of Florida
Mr. HUNTER raised question OF order, that this
was private claim which overuled by the Chair.
Mr. II. took appeal but The decision Of the Chair
was sustained yeas 2s nays 49,
After some discussion on the amendment, il was re.
jected.
Mr.. MALLORY gave notice that he would renew the
amendment after the bill should be reported to the
Senate
Mr.. CLAY moved to amend the bill by striking out the
appropriation Of ss7 900 for repairing the works and
piers in order to preserve and secure the lighthouse at
Chicago, Illinois.
Messrs. DOUGLAS and TRUMBULL opposed the
amendment and after considerable discussion it was re-
jected,
ION motion by Mr.. HUNTER, the Senate rcccled from
such OF its amendments to tho pension appropriation bill
L.l L,a,, IL. O.. ~.
passed
Mr.. WARD reported from the Committee on the Post
Office and Post Roads amendment authorizing and di-
Tccting the Postmaster General to contract with Crocs
Buttecld and his associates who to be styled the
United States and Mexican Mail Steamship Company
the transportation of the mails between the United States
and the Republic of Mexico making four round voyages
per month"; and touching at Tampico Bazos, Santiago,
Matagorda Bay, Galveston, Huacos and other ports
the contract to continue for the term of ten years. and
the expense Of the service not to exceed 900 per
annnm
Mr.. WILSON moved to reduce the time during which
the contract should continue to four years which
agreed to-
Mr.. MALLORY moved TO amend the amendment by
inserting provision that upon the expiration of the
existing contract for mail service between Charleston and
Havana e Postmaster General shall be authorized to
make contract for semi. monthly service between those
points by way of Savannah and Key West provided the
amount paid shall not exceed $50 900 per annum; and
the contract shall not be made for longer period than
four years @4s f#
The PRESIDING OFFICER decided that the amend
ment to the amendment not in order
The question being then taken on the amendment of
MIR. WARD amended, it adoptedayes 25 noes 10
MIR. GREEN, from the Committee Territories, re-
ported an amendment providing for the repayment Of
seven thousand dollars advanced by Gov Douglas pay
for stores for the volunteers who engaged in sup
pressing Indian hosIities in the Territory OF Washing
ton which agreed to.
Mr.. DAVIS offered an amendment providing for The
payment of work already begun in painting the dome of
the Capitol which was agreed TO.
Mr.. FITCH reported an amendment authorizing the
Superintendent OF Public Printing TO procure paper for
congressional printing in open market In certain Of
failure of contractors to execute their contracts which
agreed to
Mr.. MASON from the Committee on the District of
Columbia reported amendment approprating SIS 900
for repairs of the Long Bridge the Potomac river AT
Washington TO be expended under the direction the
Commissioner Of Public Buildings; which was agreed
yeas 25 nays 10.
Mr.. PUGH, from the Committee the Judiciary, To-
ported an amendment authorizing the Secretary of the
Interior to complete the purchase of the building in the
city of New York occupied by the United States
courts and thoir officers, under lease from VIM t. Bur-
ton whchwas agreed to-
Mr. BRIGHT from the Committee on tic District of
Columbia reported amendment Go strike the APP
preparation of $4,000 for tho preservation of the Treas
ury extension and insert or continuing the eonstruc
ton of the Treasury extension, 5000 900 which was
agreed TO.
Mr. MALLORY from the committee of conferences on
the disagreeng votes OF the two houses the naval
appropriation bill, made report which was concurred
MIR CIINGMkN presented the credentials Of THOMAS
BRAGG, elected senator from The State of North Caro-
lima FOR six years from March A 1859 which read