Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-03-02
CONGRESS.
[REroRrEp FOR THE ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE. !
Senate, Thursday, March l.

Mr.. johnson, from the Committee on Pub
lie Lands, reported bill to extend the
swamp-and act to the States of Minnesota
and Oregon-passed.
Mr. Wilson, from the Committee on Mill.
tary Affairs, reported bill for the estab-
lishment of fort in the valley of Red River
of the North-laid over.
Mr.. Gwin moved to take up the West
Point appropriation bill; 50 ordered, and the
bill was read.
Mr.. Wigfall moved to amend, by providing
for the payment Of the proposed volunteer
Texas-fronticr regiment.
Mr. Hale was opposed to the further IN
crease Of the Army. as involved IN this
amendment.
Mr. Wigfall contended that no increase OF
the army was contemplated, but that the
proposition was simply 10 provide for resi-
dent volunteer force, which could be muster
ed out of service whenever its services were
no longer needed.
Mr. Fessenden was opposed to the amend
ment without some official information, show
ing that the proposed appropriation was ne
cessary.
Mr. Davis contended that official iniorma-
ton as To how the present regular army was
employed, was already before the Senate IN
official documents.
He suggested that the Administration
could not call out u volunteer force without
an appropriation to that end, and as the
Senate has all the information ON the sub
iect that the Administration had, he did not
see why they should not act at once.
The discussion was continued 10y MeSsrs.
Davis, Douglas, and Gwin IN favor, aud
Messrs. Foot, Crittenden, and Fessenden IN
opposition to the amendment.
Mr.. Trumbull, of Illinois, moved that the
bin and amendment be referred to the Com
mittee on Military Affairs, which motion
was not agreed to by the following vote
Yeas %; nays 81.
Mr.. Doolittle, of Wisconsin, moved to
postpone the further consideration OF the
subject, which motion was not agreed to-
Mr.. Wilson, of Massachusetts, was vii
ling to vote the appropriation, because
Texas demanded protection, and 1t was right
that she should have it.
Mr.. Hale, of New Hampshire, replied to
the remarks of Mr.. Wilson.
| The bill and amendment were then refer
red to the Committee on'Military Affairs.
The Senate then took up the bill proyd,
inc for the sale of the Arms ct the United
States to the States of the Union, and 10
provide for Military Superntendency OF
the National Armores.
Mr.. Hale, of New Hampshire, in speech
of some length opposed the Military Su'
perintendency
Mr.. Davis, of Mississippi replied.
The question then came up upon tile
amendment, proposed some days since
striking out the Military Superintendency
clause, which amendment was not agreed 70
by vote of Ii yeas to q nays.
Mr.. Trumbull, of Illinois, moved to
amend, so as to require the arms to be paid
for in cash, which amendment was agreed
to by universal consent
MIR. Hamlin, of Maine, moved to strike
out the section, authorizing the sale OF the
Arms of the United States.
The amendment was advocated by MeSsrs
SHINES. Of Rhode Island, and Pugh, o.
Ohio, and opposed by Mr.. Davis, OF Missls
sippi and Mr. Mason. of Virginia.
After much discussion, and at > O'Clock
on motion OF Mr.. Fessenden, OF Maine, tie
Senate adjourned