The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-04-19
PROCEEDINGS on THE THIRTY SIXTH CONGRESS
sen AWE

WASHINGTON April 1S.-Mr. KENNEDY in pur-
suance of notice, asked and obtained leave to in
troduce bill to provide for the transportation Of
the United States mail and government supplies
by railroad to the Pacific ocean, which was read
twice and ordered to be printed.-Mr. SUNNI Err
presented twelve memorials, signed by more than
l5OO citizens of Massachusetts, in favor OF the re-
peal of the fugitive slave law of1S5O the abolition OF
slavery in the District of Columbia, and in the ter
riories of the United States the prohibition of the
Interstate slave trade, and the passage of
resolution pedging Congress against the admission
of any slave State into the Union, the acquisition
of any slave territory and the employment of any
slaves by any agent contractor, officer or depart
ment of the Federal government. Mr.. 5. moved
their reference to the Committee on the Judiciary.
MIR. MASON moved that they lie on
the table; which agreed to-yeas 25,
nays l9.-Mr. COLLAMER presented sim
liar memorial, and. moved the same reference
Mr. MASON moved that it lie on the tabe.-Mr.
WIGFALL hoped the motion would be withdrawn,
in order that he might have opportunity to
make some remarks on the subject.-Mr MA
son withdrew the motion, but Mr.. Bayard
renewed it; and the question being taken the mo-
ton was agreed to.-0n motion by Mr.. HALE,
Tuesday next was assigned for the reconsideration
of the bill for the relief of Arthur Edwards and his
associates, which has been returned by the Pres-
dent, with his Oblections.-On motion by Mr..
ANTHONY, resolution adopted, requesting
the President of the United States not in his Opin
ion inconsistent with the public interests, to fur
nish the Senate with copy of the instructions
when appointed Minister to China.-Mr.
PUGH, from the Committee on the Judiciary, re-
ported bill for the relief of John Cradlebaugh.-
On motion of Mr.. WILSON, the Senate proceeded
to the consideration of the resolution submitted by
him some time since, instructing the Committee
Military Affairs to inquire respecting contracts by
the War Department for iron for the public build
ings, and for shot or shells and iron gun-carrages,
&c. The question pending was on an amendment
by Mr. Iulee, calling on the Secretary of War for
this information, instead of referring the matter to
the Committee on Military Afairs.-After some
discussion the subject, 1T was announced that Mr.
Yulee was detained from the Senate by sickness;
and Mr.. Wilson consented that the subject should
be passed over.-The Senate resumed the consid-
Grafton of the bill to secure homesteads to actual
settlers the public domain, and for other
purposes.--Mr. GWIN submitted an amend
ment legalzing the occupation of public
lands in California and Oregon for mining
purposes, until otherwise provided by law
Mr.. LATHAM, Mr.. LANE and Mr.. GWIN advo-
to their constituents.-Mr. JOHNSON, of Ar
kansas, Mr.. HARLAN and Mr.. WADE hoped the
amendment would not be made to this bill, but that
it would be brought in and considered as separate
proposition.-The subject was further discussed
by MIR. Messrs. Pugh, Mason, Bayard, and others
until half-past four O'clock, when the Senate ad-
iourned, Mr.. WADE having previously given
notice that he should ask the friends of the bill to
sit it out tomorrow and finally dispose of it.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
Mr.. HICKMAN called up the Senate bill provi-
ding for the holding of the Criminal Court, in con-
sequence of the continued sickness of Judge Craw-
! ford 1t was passed, and authorizes the Judges of
the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia alter
| natey to presde.--The Deficiency Appropria-
| ton bill was taken up, the question being on the
adoption of the amendment offered yesterday by
Mr.. kunkel, appropriating $4,000 for the repairs
in the Baltimore Customhonse, which was DANA
| ged by fire in lS5S.---Mr. STEVENS, of Pennsyl-
vania, opposed the amendment, saying he no
necessity for repairs, as he understood arrange
ments were in progress for a new Custom house.
| Mr.. HARRIS, of Maryland, knew of nothing
showing a necessity for this appropriation. If the
| damages had resulted in anything serious, either
! he or his colleague from the city Mr.. Davis
would have heard something about it. But they
never heard of any necessity for such repairs. He
was opposed to appropriations for repairs of old
buildings occupied by Government officers in Bal
tmore. New buildings will be demanded for the
exigency of business, and he thought the time
will soon cOme.--The amendment was re
| jected, and after further proceedings the
bill was passed--yeas 70; nays e.
| The House proceeded to the consideration of the
! Senates amendment to the West Point Academy
Bit, proposing that a regiment of Texas mounted
volunteers be called into the service.--Mr. STAN
! TON opposed the amendment. 1t was not the
proper description of force to be employed pO-
lice to preserve the peace. The Indians need pre-
lection much as the whites, for there is on the
| borders lawless white population who make dep
| relations on the Indians. In his opinion the tede-
| raj forces in Texas sufficient to number,
| but infantry useless, he proposed that a
portion OF them be converted into mounted troops.
MIR. CURTIS advocated the amendment. This
was not &. matter Of dollars and cents, but ques-
| ton Of life and DEATH lie earnestly urged that
| the people of Texas are entitled to protection;
| and the regiment of volunteers was necessary for
the purpose. He was in favor of additional mount ed
regulars; but the infantry could not be drilled in
hOrsemanship in time to meet the public exigencies.
To restore peace the Indians must be at chas-
| tised AIR. REAGAN, Of Texas, referred to the
| occurrences the frontier. There had not been,
| he said year from 1853 to the present time du-
| ring which the Legislature of that State had not
memorialized Congress for protection. He also
alluded to the official correspondence with the War
| Department to show. the ineficiency and made
quacy of the federal troops to afford the required
succor and to cOerce the Indian predatory tribes
to peace.-Mr. OLlN said the accounts from the
Texan frontier highly exaggerated for
interested purposes. No hOstities, he said,
| exist, the part of 4 few yagabonds,
| and it was now proposed to employ the men
| who commenced the disturbance to hunt them
| down.---ilr. HAMILTON, of Texas, replied to
Mr.. DIN, and answered other objections He
defended the people of Teyas, and at some
length advocated the Senate's amendment
The Committee rose, and without arriving to a
vote, the House adjourned.