The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-03-10
THIRT Y-FIFTH CONG RESs,
Second Session.
Wednesday, March 2, 1859.
SENATE.

present at vote OH lne naval Dill, ne sSnOult
have voted against Mr.. Hammond's amendment
to increase the appropriations for the navy yards
at New York and elsewhere.
The bill to carry into effect the treaty be-
tween the United States and China was passed
multitude of memorials were then tabled
as there was no time to act upon them.
The miscellaneous appropriation bill was Ia
ken up 1t appropriates for the coast survey,
S253,OOO; for light houses. 1927, 900; for the
survey of the public lands, $265, O00 for
Washington city, for various things, $l2e 900 !;
for the Treasury building, $4,000; for the Post
Office building, Sl50,0O0; for the Capitol ex-
tension, 100000, but no decorations are to be
executed until approved of by the art commit
tee; for the botanic garden, S7,400; for the
insane hospital, $S8,000; for mortgage On the
Government property in Pine street. New Y ork.
$1,000; for the Patent Office, agricultural
department, $4,000; and for various. other
things about $4,000. The total amount APP
propriated is $2,345, 900.
Mr. Simmons moved an amendment, provi-
ding for a home valuation on imports but. after
protracted debate, as to whether it was In
order or not, it was lost
Mr. Hunter, from the Finance Committee.
moved as amendment, that the President
be authorized to issue Treasury notes for
$2O,00O,OOO, at per cent. interest.
This was debated at great length by Messrs.
Seward, Cameron, Davis, and others, when the
Senate agreed to take a recess.
The Senate, on reassembling went into Com
mittee of the Whole.
After some further discussion, the amend
ment moved by Mr. Hunter from the Finance
COMMITTEE, for the issue of Treasury notes for
twenty millions, was adopted by yeas 81,
nays TO-
Teas = Messrs. Allen, Bayard, BENJAMIN.
Bigler, Clingman Davis, Fitch, Green, Gwn,
Houston, Hunter, Iverson, Jones' Mason, Nal
Tory, Pearce, Polk, Pugh, Reid, Rice, Shields
Slidell, Ward, and Yulee.
NayS-Messrs. Broderick, Cameron, Ozark,
Dixon, Doolittle, Foot, Hale, Harlan, Simmons
and Wilson,
Mr.. Benjamin moved to amend by appro-
priating $950,O0O to continue the work on the
custom house at New Orleans. Lost, IL
against ~.
Mr.. Davis, from the committee, moved an
amendment to appropriate $2jO,O0O to com
plete the Washington aqueduct. Adopted.
On motion of Mr.. Bright, the bill was amend
ed to provide that Senators shall be allowed
mileage for the extra session, but constructive
in any case.
After protracted discussion on various tiv-
ial items, for furniture, &C. the Senate, at one
o'clock, no action having been taken, adj
journed.
HOUSE
On motion Of Mr.. Phillips, the House sus-
sa spssd abs hf Eg ge And l. ae5 hs seRate rss
Commodore Stewart the commission of Senior
Flag Officer of the Navy on the active iisi, in
recognition of his distinguished and meritorous
services:
The House acted on the Senates amend
ments to the army bill, which were previously
considered in Committee of the Whole, and
cOncurred in-among Others 100000 for
military road from Fort Benton to Wala-Walla,
$4,000 for repairs and machinery at Spring
field and $4,000 for similar purposes at Har-
pers Ferry armory.
The amendment TO pay Massachusetts
1927 Goo for balance due on account of the war
of 1912 was concurred in, by yeas l7G,
nays %.
The House passed the Senate bin, extending
the laws and judicial system of the United
States over Oregon.
The appropriation of ffy-6ve thousand dol
lars for deepening the channel of the St. Clair
Flats was passed by 81 majority.
The House ordered two hundred and ten
thousand copies Of the agricultural and twenty
Thousand of the mechanical part of the Patent
Office report to be printed.
Mr.. Davis, of Iowa, asked leave 10 introduce
bill repeating the clause in the English bill
which prohibits the people Of Kansas from fornl-
ing State Constitution until it appears by a
census that they have sufficient population for
one Representative III Congress- according to
the Federal ratio,
Mr.. English, remarking that it was too late
in the session to consider the subject, objected.
Mr.. Davis moved suspension of the rules.
Not carried = 100 against 81 "a two-thirds
vote being necessary.
The House reconsidered the vote by which
the mail steamer bill was yesterday defeated,
and now again rejected it, by G6 against 81,
The House concurred in the report Of the
committee of conference on the disagreeilg
amendments to the executive, judicial. and
Legislative appropriation bill. BY this the
mileage for The next Congress, stricken ont
originally by the House, is restored
Recess till seven O'Clock.
EVENING SESSION. - The Senate's amend.
merts to the naval bill were considered ia
Committee.
Mr.. BQcock fVa,) moved to amend the amend
Eaent appropriating Sl73,70O for the charter Of
vessels for the Paraguay expedition, by giving
the Secretary of the Navy authority to purchase
them The chartering of these vessels for nine
months amounts to this sum aud in making the
contract, the Secretary inserted q clause 10y
which the Government could purchase them at
$3.50, coo, only 100000 more than the price
of the charter. and $500 less than their charter
for fifteen months.
Mr.. Seward tGa.) did not think the Constitu-
ton conferred power to charter vessels for the
expedition He had seen the Secretary Of the
Navy in the House to-day, suggesting this
legislation to get out of the difficulty he has
brought about He would always put down his
foot and lift his voice against interference with
legislation.
Mr.. Pottir tfnd.) protested against making
any appropriation at ALL He asked whether the
Secretary made the contract under any other
authority than the joint resolution empowering
the President To take steps 10 obtain satisfac-
Mr.. Bocock REPLIED that was ALL and suffi-
cient.
Mr.. Petit said the act of the Secretary was
a usurpation of power not granted, From the
beginning of the controversy, this Government
had not taken the right steps for settlement
of the questions in controversy.
Mr.. Clark, of New York. was not without APP
prehension that the American people are in
the wrong. If the President and Secretary
had right to build navy, they had the right
to add further regiments to the army. If the
navy is insufficient, Congress should have been
advised of the fact. This chsrtering or pur
chasing of worthless steamers was private
speculation, carried ON under the authority Of
this Government.
Mr.. Bocock said Mr., Clark must pardon him
if he could not sympathize with him in his
personal dislike of the Secretary. lfthese yes
sells were purchased, they could be sold, and
every dollar saved to the Government, He
defended the conduct of the Executive, SHOW
ing that the joint resolution authorized the