The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-06-19
PROCEEDINGS on THE TIIRTYSIXIN CONGRESS
SENATE.


WASHINGTON, June lS.-On motion by Mr..
HALE, resolution adopted instructing the
Committee to audit and control the contingent ex-
peDses of the Senate, to inquire and report to the
Senate how many persons employed by the
Senate in each and every Department. whether in
the Office of the Secretary or under the direction
of the Sergeant alarms or of the Doorkeeper,
in any other way or manner; the compensation of
each, the time each individual is employed the au-
thority by which each individual is employed or
appointed, and also to inform the Senate whether
in the opinion of said Committee the services of
any one thus employed might not be dispensed with
without detriment to the public service, and also
whether in the contingent expenses of the Senate
there not abuses which require reform and
amendment.-On motion by MIR. TOOMBS, the
Senate proceeded to the consideration of the bill
declaring the consent of Congress to any act which
may be passed by the Legislature of the State
OF Alabama authorizing the municipal autho-
rites of the city of Mobile to impose and
collect duty on the tonnage of vessels enter
ing the port of Mobile.-Mr. HAMLIN submitted
an amendment to the bill with a view to confine
the tonnage duties to foreign commerce. There
was probably water enough in the harbor to ac-
commodate the smaller class of coasting vessels;
and he considered it monstrous proposition to
make them pay for an Improvement which would
be of no service at all to them, but would merely
accommodate large vessels.-Mr. TOOMBS adj
vocated the bill, saying that most Of these duties
would be paid by citizens of Alabama. 1t was
local matter, and unless they could improve their
harbor enough to attract commerce, they would
not impose duties, the effect of which would be to
lnJure their trade,--Mr. FITZPATRICK
at twelve o'clock it was laid aside for
the purpose OF taking up the special order
The Senate resumed the consideration of the Naval
Appropriation bill, the pending question being on
the amendment of Mr. Wilson, to authorize the
purchase or construction of three steamers at
cost of $500 000 to act for the suppression of the
slave trade on the coast of Africa. This amend
ment was discussed by Messrs. Collamer, Mason,
Wilson, Mallory, Simmons, and others.-Mr.
WILSON read several extracts from Southern pa
pers, with view to prove that the South is in
favor OF reOpening the slave trade.-Mr. HAM
MoND and Mr.. WIGFALL denied that any such
movement had been made in either House of Con-
gress, or that there such desire prevailing
any general extent in the South.-Mr. SEW
ARD was convinced that Southern members of
Congress were acting in good faith for the execu-
ton OF the laws against the slave trade.-Mr.
DAVIS said the laws of Mississippi prohibited the
slave trade, apart from federal legislation.
After some further debate, Mr.. MALLORY moved
to amend the amendment, by inserting substitute
for the construction of seven screw slOopsof-war,
being the bill already reported from the Commits
tee on Naval Atfairs.-Mr. TRUMBULL objected
that there was nothing in that proposition looking
TO the suppression of the slave trade.--The
amendment OF Mr.. Mallory was reiected-yeas
Ia, nays Z9.-Ibe question then required on the
amendment OF Mr.. Wilson, which was rejected
yeas Is, nays 25.-Mr. HAMMOND moved IN
amend the Dill by adding section that for the
carry into effect the contract made on the 2lst of
May, 1859, securing coal for the use of the navy
and other privileges named in said contract
$500 900 shall be appropriated, provided said sum
shall be paid by the United States bonds, bearing
five per cent. interest and redeemable in twenty
years.-At four o'clock the Senate took a recess
for two hours.
The Senate took a recess from four O'Clock to six
On re- assembling it was ascertained that no quo
rum was present After waiting some time, the
yeas and nays were taken on the motion to adjourn
and quorum was not found voting.--Mr. FITCH
offered a resolution, resembling the recess.-The
PRESIDENT would not entertain it as no quorum
was present.-Mr. LATHAM moved that the
President direct the Sergeant alarms to request
Senators to attend-After several refilsals to ad-
Journ and no quorum being found present, the
Senate waited again when a count quorum
was found and the Naval Appropriation bill was
resumed.-An amendment making a contract
with Mr.. Thompson for the purchase of coal lands
and depots each side of Chiriqui, was debated at
great length and passed-yeas %, nays 17.-The
bill was then passed, and after an Executive session
the Senate ad jOurned.
M HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
me House resumed the consideration of the reso-
anan reported from the Committee on Elections
ue.tidlhg Mr. Anderson as entitled to retain the
seat he now occupies as rem esantativo from, AZ
o1 nn CONGRESSIONAL District of Kentuckv-Mr
II the contestant, again addressed the
house In support of his claim.-Mr. STEVEN
SoN mace speech in favor of Mr.. Chrisman 70
t lIe contested seat, and MIR. STRATTON delivered
his views ON the other side of the ouestion NJ
GARTRELL presented the resolutions of tho
minority of the Committee of Elections-deoar;r nc
first that Mr.. Anderson is not entitled To The saat'
and secondly, that Mr. Chrsman is He said
however, he would be satisfied with a direct
vote on the resolution of the majority.
namely; That Mr.. Anderson is entitled to retain