The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-02-02
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
THIRTY-FIFTH CONGRESSIONAL SESSION.
WASHINGTON, Feb. l, 1859.

WASHINGTON, req. L, 1909.
SENATE.
The VICE PRESIDENT pro tenn. laid before the Sen
ate a communication from the Secretary of War,
showing the number of persons with salaries at
tached, in his depa tment, exclusive of those en-
gagged in the Army.
Also, communication from the Secretary of
War, showing the expenses of the military estab-
lishment during the year 1858.
Mr.. SEWARD offered certain joint resolutions in
relation to the arrest of William Walker on the
coast of Nicaragua; which were laid over.
The papers in the case of A. j. Atocha ia
ken from the files of the Senate and referred to the
Court of Claims.
Mr.. WADE moved to postpone all prior orders,
and consider the bill making donations of the pub
lie lands to the States and Territories for the bene-
fit Of agriculture
The hour of l o'clock having arrived,
Mr.. HUNTER moved to postpone all the prior or
ders and proceed to the consideration of the Indian
Apr opriation bill, (which was not agreed to-yeas
&c, nays q.
So the Senate continued to consider the Apricul-
tural bill.
Messrs. GwIN and STUART offered amendments to
the text, after which
Mr.. PUGH moved to recommit the bill to the Com
mittee Public hands, but before coming to a
vote the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The bill passed by the House at the last session
of Congress- providing for the distribution of pub
lie documents was received from the Senate with
amendment. The bill as amended was pas
sed.
Mr. Grow of Pa, called up bis motion to recon
slider the vote by which the Homestead bill, report
ed by Mr.. KELSEY, referred to the Committee OF
the Whole. His object being to put it on its pas
sage
Mr. MILLsoN moved to lay the motion to re-consid-
on the table, on which the yeas and nays were
ordered, and resulted, yeas SO, nays Ill.
The question then recurring on the motion to re-
consider it carried
Mr.. Grow offered an amendment to the bill pro-
viding that public land shall be offered for sale
unless it has been surveyed for at least 10 years.
He subsequently withdrew this amendment.
Mr.. HUGHES, of Indiana, moved to Law the bill on
the table on which the yeas and nays We're ordered
Yeas rs; nays, ll3. So the motion was lost.
Mr.. Grow called for the previous question on the
passage of the bill, which seconded, and the bill
was then passed by yeas 120, nays &c.
The bill provides that any person who is the bea d
of family, q years of age, and citizen of the
United States who has declared his intention to be-
come such as required by the naturalization laws,
shall De entitled to enter one quarter section, which
may at the time of the application be subject to en-
try, at S1.25 per acre, to be located in body in
conformity with the local subdivisions of the public
lands, and after the same shall have been SURVEYED.
Mr. BURIINGAME, of Massachusetts,, called up the
French Spoliation bill, which was postponed until
to day, and proceeding to discuss the merits of
the bill, when DIR. HoUsroN, of Alabama raised the
point of order that the bill would have to 90 to the
Committee of the Whole
Mr.. BURLINGAME said he had no intention of de
batting the bill, as it had been discussed so often
Its passage had been recommended by twelve
States; it had frequently passed Congress and he
would therefore move the previous question on the
passage of the bill.
Mr.. LETCHER, of Virginia, commended that the bill
involved the payment of money, and under the
rules should go to the Committee of the Whole
He knew of no bill before the House which should
undergo more careful investigation than this.
Mr.. WAsHBURNE, of Maine, asked if this bill was
not similar to the last one which passed Congress-
The same question was raised then and it was not
necessary that the bill should go to the Committee
of the Whole.
was known to be in favor of the bill, and had
voted for similar bill when he was in the
Senate.
MIR. LETcHER said a statement of that sort came
with very bad grace from the side of the House
which was always talking about Executive dicta.
ton.
Mr.. DAVIS, of Maryland said this bill involved nc
appropriation by Congress. The President was au.
thorsed to ascertain the extent of the claims and
he did not suppose the gentleman from Virginia
considered the President to be the Government
Mr.. HoUsToN, of Alabama, made an elaborate ar
gument on the point of order, and contended that
under the rules the bill must 90 to the Committee
| of the Whole.
Mr.. STEPHENS, of Georgia, thought that under
the decision made on the Pension bill, it was in or
| der to consider the bill now
MIR. HUGHES, of Indiana, moved to lay the bill on
the table. Lost by yeas Is, nays LOG.
| The CHAIR now declared that under the rules the
! bill must go to the Committee of the Whole
Mr.. FLORENCE, of Pennsylvania, appealed from
| the decision of the Chair
Mr.. SIcKLEs moved to lay the appeal on the table
Carried.
The bill was then referred to the Committee O
the Whole.
| The regular order of business was now proceeded
with, and reports were received from the Commit
tee on Indian Affairs.
Mr.. RUSSELL. of n. Y, reported bill for the al
| lotment OF certain land to New York Indians, ane
Tor other purposes. Mr.. Russell said the Secretary
OF the Interior had requested action on this sub
Ject and the bill met with the approval of the Com
missioner of Indian Affairs
| motion to adjourn was lost
The bill was then read, by which it is provided
that certain lands in Kansas shall be set apart fol
the use OF certain New York Indians, in pursuance
of an act heretofore passed.
| On motion of Mr.. STANTON the House adjourned
After the adjournment paper was read by thu
Clerk, calling a meeting of all Democrats opposed
to SPECIFIC duties at Z o'clock, P. NJ, in the hal
of the House.