The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-02-20

Thirty nrh Congress Second session.
y SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10. 1858.
SENATE.


for copies OF the reports of the Commissioner appointed
under the act Of l4th june 1898 which WAS referred TO
the Committee ON Indian Affairs. ~ lA ~ Hui 2
[Ihe Secretary transmits letter from the Commits
sioner of Inian Affairs, covering the papers called ion by
the resolution, which are somewhat yourninons. 7
.na mrMonfsIs, Enc q '
The following memorials and petitions presented
and appropriately referred: fsga 80 tA3J JAt Y"
BY Mr. HUNTER From citizens Of Richmond Va
asking that the pay of officers Of the navy may be in
creased.
BY Mr. BIGLER. From cii.zcns of Kansas and Ne
baska and actual settlers Of the same, asking the pas
sage of an act by virtue of which the base line between
said Territories together with the Sd standard parallel
no, and south Of the same, may be extended west to
the western boundaries Of said Territories.
nEroars
Mr. GREEN, from the Committee on the Judiciary
asked to be discharged from the further consideration OF
the memorial of merchants and other citizens OF the Dis
trict Of Columbia asking extension of the urdicon
of justices of the peace ; which agreed to
| Mr.. DAVIS from the Committee on Military Aiiirs
submitted adverse reports in the following cases viz the
bill provide for the sale OF the military reservation OF
Fort Armstrong, known the island of g Rock Island
in the State of Illinois the memorial of James
Mills for the purchase by government OF their Invention
Of the safety fuzc train for the Of the army and
navy the Secretary of War having given it as his opinion
that the purchase at present Is neither necessary nor ad
vsable and on the memorial Of Assistant Surgeon r.
Simpson for extra services performed at the hospital
of Key West the ground that the time of officers be
longs To the government. -
MIR. HUNTER, from the Committee on Finance, to
which referred the amendments Of the Senate to
House bill making appropriations for the current and con-
ngent expenses ofhe Indian department. and disagreed
to by the House of Representatives, reported in favor of
insisting upon its amendments, and asked committee of
conference the part of the Senate to be appointed by
the Chair The report having been agreed to- Messrs
PlARcE SEBASTIAN, and BELL were appointed said COM
mttee ags tsFg "a gaftsfE.& $3.50 $500 ftastel a-.
Mr. TRUNBUIL, from the Committee Patents and
1 If1 OF
Frederick +. sckeIs for Improvement in the steam
engine, submitted report accompanied by bill for his
relief. ata tE
Mr. BRoDERICK, from the Committee Military AT
fairs reported bill for the relief of John /. Wright,
owner of the steamer America. s4stlie
Mr.. WARD, from the Committee on the Post Office
and Post Roads, to which referred House bill for the
relief of Samuel A. Fairchds, reported IT back without
amendment, and asked its present consideration which
was agreed to, and the bill was passed g1r
tgHa PENSION BILL. 13 t
Mr. CLAY, from the Committee Pensions, to which
was referred the bill from the House of Representatives
granting pensions to the officers and soldiers of the
with Great Britain OF 1872, and those engaged in Indian
during that PERIOD submitted an elaborate report on
| the subject which was read.
[It appears that the chairman of the Committee on
Pensions addressed to the Secretary of the Interior let
| ter propounding certain inquiries
lst As to the amount that would be required at this
\ session of Congress.
/ 3D. What average sum would be annually requisite,
and for what period thereafter
3D.. What the aggregate sum necessary to extingush
\ all claims that may be referred under the bill.
4th What increase of clerks in the Pension Bureau
and of pension agents would be required and the com
! pensation therefor.
The COMMISSIONS of Pensions states in effect that
little reliance be placed probable estimates, as has
been proved by experience Under the act of 1882 grant
ing pensions to the soldiers of the revolution very
elaborate investigation made by the Commissioner, bn
that the estimate did not reach to onefourth of the
actual demand under that BILL 1T then supposed
that the whole number entitled to its benefits would be
10057 and that the average amount required would be
1907, ,608 for seven years The facts are that 3D.
claims have been admitted and over $lS 900 900 expcnd
ed and yet there about 200 surviving the rolls o
| the several States.
The report thus Closes "the persistent and too
cessu efforts during the last quarter OF this century tc
enlarge the system to embrace all who have rem
dered any military service, and their widows and chill.
drcn admonish to retrace steps rather than adj
vance, and in future to conne the bounes of the
ernment to those who in its service have lost their
ability to take of themselves, and dependent
upon public private charity for their subsistence In
conclusion the committee think this bill inexpedcnt and
unwise whether considered in relation to those who
must bear its burdens in taxation may enjoy its boun
ties pensions they therefore recommend that the SEN
4 ate should not pass the bill. 5sf ti
RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
/ On motion by Mr.. LANE 4t.
Resoc That Secretary be- hereby requested
furnish tho Senate with information 70 what changes have been
efficiency
tiers expense, any the
provided be provided for paying the same
1 BILLS INTRODUCED.
! Mr. JONES introduced bill for the relief of Mrs. A.
e. Chids which read and referred to the Commit
| tee Pensions. H yaF
| Mr. HAMLIN INTRODUCED bill to authorize the en-
roment registry and license of certain steamboats, OF
vessels owned by the Buffalo and Lake Huron Rairoad
| Company Mr.. II. asked the indulgence of the Senate
to pass the bin without the usual fornay of refer
ence had already received the sanction of the Com
| rmittee of Commerce. The motion having been agreed
/ to- the bill was passed @a 81. eas Be- aa
4 l'.t BILL PASSED.
/ Mr. WADE asked the Senate to take up the bill legal
izng certain entries of lands Leavenworh Island ir
the State of Mssouri which agreed to, and the bill
having been amended tho motion of Mr. GnnEN wai
| read a third time and passed Hf
! HOUR OF MEETING
/ Mr. STUART called up his resolution, changing thu
hour of meeting from eleven to twelve o'clock, an
otherwise ordered He stated that it was impossible fol
the committees to consider the business before them
| less they had more time in the morning,
Mr. SLIDEI.L moved to amend it by adding that the
Senate shall take recess daily from lfpast four until
seven clock The amendment WAS not agreed to, and
the resolution adopted ft ia
/ ORDER on BUSINESS.
| Mr. MASON moved that the bill authorizing the Pres
dent of the United States 10 use the land and naval
forces of the United States in the cases therein specified be
| taken up for consideration. sa s nr 81
/ Hr HUNTER urged the superior claims of the consu-
lar and diplomatic appropriation bill. EI6Ay H
Mr. D00LPTTLE gave notice that, If twas taken mp,
be should express his views at length against it, The
President holds the power of the purse and he