Alexandria Gazette

THIRTIETH CONGRESS.
[REPORTED FOR THE ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.]
In Senate.
WEDNESDAY, April 26, 1848.
Several memorials were presented and appropriately referred.
The resolution offered on Monday last by Mr. Bell, to furnish each member of the House of Representatives with a copy of the reports of the proceedings and debates of the Senate, to be paid for out of the Contingent fund of the Senate, came up for consideration.
Mr. Bell explained, to prevent misapprehension, that this resolution was intended simply as an act of courtesy, which he thought due to the members of the other House, and it was from that motive alone that he had offered it, without any consultation with the Reporter of the Senate, further than to inquire from him whether he could furnish copies to the members of the House if desired.
Mr. Turner opposed the resolution. If the House wanted the reports they could subscribe for themselves. Besides they had reports equally good, as well as the reports of their own proceedings, in the Congressional Globe: of which each member received twelve copies.
These reports are Dr. Houston's reports re-published.
Mr. Clarron followed, and spoke in high terms of the value of the reports made and published by Dr. Houston. All the members of the Senate who had been there any length of time, were aware, that until the present system was adopted they never had had full and accurate reports of their debates. The system worked admirably and should be fostered and encouraged. The appropriation was too small, and should be increased to enable the reporter to employ a full corps of assistants, and thus ensure greater promptitude in the appearance of the reports.
Mr. Turney rejoined, and after a few remarks, demanded the yeas and nays upon the resolution; which were ordered.
The resolution was agreed to: yeas 26, nays 15.
Mr. Badger submitted a resolution instructing the Committee on the Library to purchase Brown's portrait of General Taylor, now exhibiting in the Rotunda, if it can be had at a reasonable price.
Mr. Badger asked for the immediate consideration of the resolution; but, objection being made, it was laid over until to-morrow.
Mr. Benton moved to postpone the prior orders, and take up the California Claims bill.
Mr. Hale desired a vote upon his motion of Thursday last to introduce a bill relating to riots in the District of Columbia, and as this motion to take up the California bill, and thus evade a vote upon his motion, was a sort of test question, he demanded the yeas and nays upon it.
The motion to take up the California bill was agreed to: yeas 20, nays 7.
[The nays were Messrs. Calhoun, Douglas, Hale, Niles, Phelps, Turney and Upham.]
Mr. Douglas explained that he voted nay because he wanted to proceed with the territorial bills, which were the special order for to-day.
Mr. Mason submitted an amendment to the amendment reported from the Military Committee, striking out that part appointing Fremont and others the arbitrators of the claims, and substituting a board to be appointed by the President.
A debate ensued in which Messrs. Underwood, Davis, of Miss., Niles and others, took part: which was still going on when this report closed.