The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-03-14
PROCEEDINGS Oh THE THIRlH-SIITH CONGRESS,
WASHINGTON, March l3.

WASHINGTON, March l3
SENATE.
The CHAIR presented a message from the Presi-
cent answering the resolution calling for copies of
the dispatches from the United States Minister in
China, and the instructions to Commissioner Par
ker.
The CHAIR also presented communication from
! the acting Treasurer of the United States with
copies of the accounts and disbursements for the
Post Office Department for the last fiscal year.
! Mr. MASON, from the Committee on Foreign Re-
! lations, reported bills for the relief of John H.
! Wheeler and Townsend Harris.
| Mr.. WILSON submitted resolution instructinp
! the Committee on Foreign Relations to inuuire and
report whether the treaty with Great Britain for
the suppression of the African slave trade had been
executed, and whether any further legislation is
| necessary, by way of amendment of the existing
laws, for the more effective suppression thereof
The resolution was objected to by Mr.. Toombs and
lies over.
On motion of Mr.. SUMNER, a resolution was
| adopted instructing the Committee on the District
! OF Columbia to consider the expediency of doing
something to improve the condition of the common
=. Jail IN w ashington city He said he had visited
that Jail and found it nothing more nor less than a
mere human stye, and since the Senate had under
taken to send citizens there it was a duty to make
! it fit for human beings to lie in.
Mr.. TooMBS introduced bill to establish n mi
| form law on the subject of bankruptcies through
out the United States; which was read twice and
referred.
The CHAIR called up the homestead bill, as the
special order.
Mr.. GwINN moved to postpone that bill, for the
purpose OF considering the military academy ap-
preparation bill.
| Mr.. BAYARD urged that the bill in reference to
the Court of Claims ought to have precedence
After considerable discussion in reference to the
priority of business, the homestead bill was post
Poned and made the special order for next Thurs
day at haltpast one o'clock; yeas 81 nays 90.
On motion by Mr.. BAYAKD, the bill to amend the
"act to establish Court for the investigation of
claims against the United States" was then taken
| up, and several amendments to it were discussed
by Messrs. Mallory, Bayard, Hale, Doolitte, Iver-
| son and others.
An amendment adopted, on motion of Mr..
| MALLORY, that in all cases within the purview of
this act, in which judgment of said Court has
been rendered in favor of the claimant the same
shall be paid in conformity with the provisions of
the 9Th section of this act unless in cases involving
a larger sum than three thousand dollars and tho
Solicitor OF the United States shall carry the same
| by appeal to the Supreme Court within six months
| after the passage of this act which appeal he is
hereby authorized to make.
Mr., DooLTrLE moved to insert proviso, that in
all cases where the amount allowed to the claimant
shall exceed the OF $50, 900, the same shall not
be paid or payable until specific appropriation by
| Congress therefor; which was reiactad-va.s 1o
nays 81.
The bill was finally passed, after which the sfili-
Adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
| Mr.. HINDMAN, of Arkansas, was appointed an ad-
|
PaciGc Railroad.
On motion of Mr.. Scorr the Military Committee
were discharged from the further consideration of
that subject, which was referred to that Select
Committee.
| Mr.. VALLANDIGHAM moved that the House take
up his motion to reconsider the vote by which the
bill introduced by him to increase the appropria-
ton for arming militia referred to the Com
mttee on the Militia.
Mr.. VALLANDIGHAM, of Ohio, said if anything
more than another was fixed in the public mind it
was the Jealousy OF standing armies. 1t had passed
| into an axiom that large military establishments
| in time of peace, are dangerous to liberty. He
proceeded to show that that part of the Constitu.
tion which declares that well-regulated militia is
necessary to the security of State is neglected. if
not almost forgotten. The appropriation for the
last half century for arming the militia has contin-
ued the same from year to year, although the mi
litia has increased to four millions While only
| SlO,4OO.O 600 have been expended for them, about
S500,OOO0OO have been devoted to the standing
| army. He was friend to the army, but thought
at the same time, that the militia ought not con-
tinue to be neglected. In conclusion, he withdrew
his motion.
Mr.. CoLFAx of Indiana, called up the bill, here
| totore reported from the Committee on the Post
Office, inviting proposals for carving the mails
| between the Atlantic and Pacific single line.
After a running debate in the character of eX-
plantations, the bill passed.
Mr.. CoLFAx from the same committee, reported
bill, prepared at the Post Office Department. the
purpose of which was to put end to bogus estab-
nshlnents IN New ork and elseWhere) by which
the public feeced, to the reception and trans
mission of letters The bill provides fines for put
ting up the words post-oice etteroffice by pri-
vate parties; but the provisions of the measure are
not designed to interfere with city express cOmpa-
nies or the keepers of hotels
The bill referred to the Committee of the
Whole on the State of the Union.
Mr.. SHERMAN, from the Committee of Wavs and
Means endeavOred to report bill to provide for
the redemption of outstanding Treasury notes, au-
| thoriZing loan, and to regulate and fix the
nue. from customs, and for other purposes.
Mr. Mcqueen objected to the bill being reported
saying that his people should not be taxed for the
purpose of protecting the coal and iron interests of
Pennsy ylvania.
The bill was not reported.
On motion of Mr.. SHERMAN, the House resolved
itself into Committee of the Whole on the State
of tho Union, when
Mr.. LOVE, of Georgia, made a speech in reply to
that delivered the other day by Mr.. Van Wvck
He characterized the latters remarks as a tissue of
Misrepresentation, and a studied, premeditated
libel on the South, and his nsinuations meanlv and
wickedy false.
Mr. KELLOGG, of Illinois, made an hours speech,
to make good his assertion, at the commencement
of the session, namely: that Horace Greelv, and
other Republicans, had a conference in Judge
Douglas parlor, scheming and planning for the re-
election of Douglas to the Senate He referred to
various statements, and read several letters, to
make good his position. The speech excited much
interest
The Commiftaa rose and tho Uousa odinurnad