The House went into Committee of the Whole on the bill for the relief of sick and disabled seamen.
Mr. Eustis moved to strike out the first section which forms the moneys devoted to the above object into a general fund, to be applied according to the discretion of the President, instead of suffering it to remain, as heretofore, applied to the particular ports, (or those in the vicinity,) from which the moneys are derived.
This motion was supported by Messrs. Eustis, Mitchill, and Dana, and opposed by Messrs. S. Smith, Milledge, Davis, Macon, and Huger.
The question was then taken on striking out the first section, and lost; when the committee rose, and reported the bill with amendments.
Monday, April 19.
Navy Pensions.
An engrossed bill for the relief of widows and orphans of certain persons who have died, or may hereafter die, in the naval service of the United States, was read the third time; and, on the question that the same do pass, it was resolved in the affirmative—yeas 34, nays 29.
Compensation of Collectors.
The House went into Committee of the Whole on the bill to amend the act fixing the compensation of officers employed in the collection of duties on imposts and tonnage.
This bill allows certain compensations to collectors of ports, provided the clear annual receipt does not exceed $5,000. A motion was made to strike out $5,000, for the purpose of introducing $4,000.