The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-02-09
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
THIRTYFIFTR CONGRESs---SECOND SESSION.
WASHINGTON, Feb. s, 1859
CHM O,Ty

CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
THIRTYFIFTR CONGRESS- SECOND SESSION.
WASHINGTON, Feb. s, 1859.
SENATE.
A communication read from the Secretary
OF the Navy, transmitting a statement of the heads
of bureaus of his Department that is expedient to
transfer the revenue cutter service from the Treasu
ry Department to the Navy Department The
communication is in answer to a resolution of the
Senate
House joint resolution allowing Captain NJ F.
Maury and Professor A. d. Bache to receive gold
medals from the Sandman Government, was laid
on the table, as the Committee Foreign Rea-
lions intend reporting a similar bill.
Mr.. BENJAMIN offered resolution that the Senate
hereafter meet daily at II A. NJ. Objection being
made, it lies over under the rule.
1 Joint resolution in relation to the tobacco trade
between the United States and foreign countries
was passed.
Mr.. KING presented petition of citizens of Long
Island, New York, praying that the island may be
protected by suitable defences. Referred.
Mr.. kENLF presented resolutions from the State
of Maryland, in favor of further provision for the
soldiers of the revolution. Referred.
Mr.. HAMLIN offered resolution requesting the
Secretary of the Treasury to inform the Senate of
cost OF the granite already used in the erection
of the south wing of the Treasury Department.
and also an estimate of the amount required to
complete it. Agreed to.
Mr.. Brown offered resolution calling on the
President of the United States for copy of the
instructions and correspondence of WIN. Carey
Jones special Minister to Nicaragua and Costa
Rica, if not incompatible with the public interest;
also, all facts he may have in his possession in re-
lation to certain proclamations made BY the Presi
dents of Costa RIGA and Nicaragua, dated at Rivas
Agreed to.
Mr.. GREEN, from the Committee on Territories,
reported adversely to the organization of the Terri
tory OF jefferson, and adversely to the memorials
OF citizens OF Arizona and DecOtah, praying for
the organization of these Territories-the Commit
tee having reported on the subject.
Mr.. BRowN offered bill concerning real estate
in the city of Washington. Referred to the Com
mittee on the District of Columbia.
MIR. BIGLER moved to take up his resolution, de-
| clarlng the creation OF public debt in time of
peace to be inconsistent with the true policy of the
United States, and in favor of an increase of the
| tariff
Mr.. Brown desired to finish the consideration of
the Avenue Railroad bill.
Mr.. TooMRs said he bad no objection to take IN
the subject but he desired to discuss it fully on the
other side
Mr.. MASON objected, on the ground that it was
a legislative dscourtesy to the House, where ap-
preparation bills alone could originate.
Mr.. BIGLER said the Senate could express its
| opinion on any subject, action was contem-
plated.
| Mr.. CLINGMAN referred to past debates in the
Senate on the tariff, sprnging up on resolutions
as on those offered by Mr.. Clay in 1892 1t was
better to discuss the subject now than to wait until
the last two or three days of the session, when it
may be introduced as an amendment to an appro-
priation bill.
Mr.. HALE said the plain English of the matter was
that the Democratic party had had caucus and
dd not notify the Pres ident, when they had vote
| contrary to his expressed will This was simply a
proposition to give the President chance to be
heard, and as he loved fair play he would vote for
the resolution.
Mr.. BIGLEns resolution was then agreed to as
follows:
YEAs.-Messrs. Bates, Bell, Bigler, Bright, Bro
derrick, Cameron. Clark, Clingman Collamer, Crit
tend n, Davis. Dixon, Doolittle, Durkee Foote
Gwin Hale, Hamlin, Harlan, Houston, Kennedy,
King, Mallory, Pearce, Polk Seward, Shields,
Simmons, Thompson of KY, Thompson of n. j.,
Toombs, Wade and Wilson'S
| NAYs-Messrs. Allen, Bayard, Benjamin, Brown
Chandler, Chestnut, Clay, Douglas, Fitch, Fitzpat-
rick, Green, Hammond, Hunter, Iverson, johnson
OF Tenn; Jones' Mason, Pugh, Reid, Rice, Slidell,
Trumbu and Ward.-23
| Mr.. BIGLER made able, elaborate and statisti-
cal speech in support of the resolution. He had
been instructed by the Legislature of his State to
favor an increase of the tariff and that was the de-
PENNSYLVANIA. He fully endorsed the views Of the
President as expressed in his annual message and
said that all tariff laws had baled the wisest states
men, and had been attended with unexpected re-
suits lie would prefer neither and exclusively
specific or od uoIorem system, but a iudicious
combination of the two, fixing the highest
duties on articles of luxury 1t might
he SAID this was not time to discuss this subject
but there was more time than we had in fixing the
present tariff when there was debate of but few
hours. If we could do no better why not add or
per cent. to the rates as they stand or he would
prefer to fall back on the tariff of 1916 rather than
fail to have any change. The iron manufacturers
would be satisfied with moderate specific duty
say So on pig metal. Sl2 on railroad iron and Sl4
or Slo on ro led aud hammered bars, which would
not exceed the average under the ad ralorem prin-
clple for a number of years past
| Mr.. B. proceeded to denounce the paper currency
system as fruitful source of financial embarrass-
ments. he would gladly do away with all bills of
a less sum than 500 He answered the objection
that the North and East get more than their due
share OF the protection resulting from tariff but
comparing the postal receipts and expenditures
showing that the South and West receive more
from the Treasury than the earnings from their
postage.
Mr.. TooMBs got the floor, and the Pennsy lvania
avenue Railroad bill was taken up. An amendment
giving the franchise to the Metropolitan Railroad
Company was adopted, after which the bill was re-
jected by yeas %, nays 25.
The Senate then went into Executive Session and
afterwards adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIY YES.
= NO quorum being present there was call of the
House, when quorum was obtained
Mr.. Faulkner, of Va. from the Committee on
Military Affairs, reported bill to reimburse the
State OF Missouri for expenses incurred in the Usage
Indian war. Referred to the Committee of the
| Whole.
The same gentleman reported resolution in re-
gard to the examination of the claims of citizens
in repelling Indian hostities
MIR. LANE, of Oregon, moved to amend the reso-
luton so that each soldier that served in those wars
should be paid $50 in lieu of transportation which
| was rejected. The resolution was then adopted
On motion of Mr.. PHELPS the House went into
| Committee of the Whole on the Legislative, Judi
cial and Executive Appropriation Bill.
The amendments to purchase 100 copies Of Ben
tons Abridgement of Congressional Debates and
two additional copies of Calhoun's work, were re-
| jected.
On motion of Mr. STANTON, of Ohio, the appro
prlaton S45,OOO for clerks in the offices of Survey
ors- General was stricken out bv ayes S.. navs As
MIR. GROW moved to reduce the appropriation of
S74 900 for expenses of the Assay office in Phia-
delphla to $50, 600. He saw no mode in which the
money could be expended except for political pur-
poses. Objected to.
A number of amendments reducing the appro-
priations in contingent expenses of the Assay Offices,
were offered by Mr.. Grow, and adopted
Mr.. MORGAN, of n. Y, said when this bill was re-
turned from the Senate it would come back loaded
with amendments. He hoped the House would
stand up for its own bill, and refuse Committee of
| Conference.
Mr.. BRANCH, of North Carolina, moved to amend
By reducing the appropriation of 900 900 for the
no OF property in the city of Now York by
S2l5,OOO lie understood that the Government
was about to purchase building for the use of the
United States Court, for the latter sum- but as by
the terms OF its lease, it privileged to make the
purchase for the same sum at any time within *
] years, he thought that in the present exhausted
condition OF the Treasury, the purchase had better
be deferred. Adopted by ayes, 70; noes, So
Mr. LovEJoY of Illinois, moved to strike out the
clause, land for the safe keeping of prisoners"
He understood that that was meant to provide for
the retention of fugitive slaves He favored strict
construction OF the Constitution in that particular
II the fugitive slave law binding at all, it was
ondlng only so far as to permit the capture and re-
turn OF the fugtives. 1t was utterly abhorrent to
the feelings OF himself and of his constituents to be
taxed for Keeping the wreched fugitves until their
case was tried in the courts For himself when in
terrogated concerning his individual sentiments he
would march right up to the confessional and tell
| them that when fellow being (back or white)
came to his door imporng food and shelter. he
would never refuse it. And if the demon of slavery
crossed his threshold and forbade him in the name
| of the law. he would bid him defiance in the name
of his Cod
MIR. SINGLEroN-'lf that is not stealing, what do
| You call stealing?'
Mr.. LovEJoY- "Holding fellow beings in bon
| dage. Laughter and confusion.
| Mr.. CocHRANE of n. Y, moved to amend that
the clause should read. 'for the safe keeping of
free prisoners" Great laughter
Other amendments of trifng nature were con-
| sidered.
MIR. SINGLETON, rising to an amendment, said the
gentleman from Illinois disgrace to the House.
Loud cries of "order, order.''l
Mr.. Sd pronounce him a disgrace to the ma
ton. have no doubt his father was engaged in
stealing slaves from Africa
Mr.. PHELPs.-'I call the gentleman to order"
The CHAIR.-"Order must be restored" The gen.
| tleman from Mississippi must come to order.
Mr. dIDDINGs-"Let him proceed"
, order was finally restored, and on motion of Mr..
PHELPS, the Committee arose and reported the bill