Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-12-20
VOL. XXIl...NO. 6S.

resolution, il was negatved without a division.
, RULES OF THE HOUSE
Iheresoluion moved yesterday, by Mr.. w ebster
tor Changing the and duties of two q. the
Committees OF the House, again read.
Mr. Webster observed, that he had been induced
TO propose this alteration in the Rules, from the
mistakes which daily occurred in the reference of
petitions and papers. He not certain that what
he proposed was precisely the course best suited
toihe purpose which he had in view and he should
OF course willingly take the suggestion of any gen.
ueman, more experienced in this pant of the bust
ness OF the House than himself. Formerly there
| existed no committee on these matters, but the
Committee of Pensions and Revolutionary
CLAIMS But, when the law of 1918 was passed.
so many cases arose under that law and those
made in amendment of it, that there grew practice
OF raising Select Committee to attend 10 them
ms was called the Committee of Reuoiution0ry
! tensions. AT the present session, rule had OBJ
tanned To make this committee standing one
Neither the designation the duties of these two
committees were so clearly distinguished, as to
prevent mistakes in the reference of bu.ipess
what he proposed was, to call on the COMMITTEES
on Military Pensions, and refer 10 it all claims
Tor such pensions, whether Invalid or Revolution
airy That Is to say, whether granted for wounds
ana disabilities received IN the military service or
as meTtei compensation for services end sacrifices
IN the Revolutionary army and TO call the other
the Committee of Revolutionary Claims leaving
10 IL miscellaneous mass OF cases, growing out OF
Revolutionary events but not out of military service
IN the revolution most OF which, perhaps, had
already cen before Congress, in one shape or an
Other, but which still existed Claims and furnish
ed no small portion of occupation for the commit
tee lie should certainly feel regret if tie effect Of
MS motion should be 10 lessen the sphere of the la
bors OF the honorable gentleman at the head of The
committee now called the Committee of Pensions
ard Revolutionary Claims, (Mr Little whose
exemplary industry, and highly useful seryi, es in
this branch OF the business of the House were.
known to all and lie repeated, that if any thing
occurred TO that honorable member, or to Others
more likely to attain the object of clear and dis
'lnrt arrangement OF the public business, it would
give him pleasure that il should be suggested
MIR. Whipple, of n. H. observed, that ,akino.
much the same view of the subject as that which
had been expressed by the gentleman from ~ assa-
chusetts he was still under the Impression that if
the proposition should be adopted in the form now
proposed, one oil these committees woald be over
burlhened, and he therefore thought II vouId i,e
Deter, while the names OF the committees were
changed, that the present division OF the business
between them should be retained and he had pre-
pared an amendment, which he read, aud the sub
stance OF which was, that the committee now call
ed the Committee on Pensions and Revolutionary
Claims, should hereafter be denominatel the Conn
mittee on Invalid Pensions.
Mr.. Little, Chairman of the present Commit
tee on Pensions and Revolutionary Claims, } OBJ
sc we aha1 hs Y2S saftsd yEt he and m con
WINGED OF the Propriety OF thu adoption Of his mo-
ton, by the House He had served on one of The
committees referred to, for years, and had
found that ITS labcurs were aIduous. The gentle,
man from New Hampshire had ntInaled an appre-
hension that II the proposed rule was adopted there
would he hul little business left for the Co,-nittee
on Revolutionary Pensions TO do Gu, II he would
take Tie trouble TO go into the committee ROOM
and examine the minutes of that COMMITTEE Ia,
would soon be satisfied that it would h.ve much 10
do He thought that all the pensions arising our OF
the late war. ought 10 be placed under one commit
tee. The number OF those VINO claimed Invalid
pensions was very small, because most OF those,
VINO al irst enjoyed them, had relinCuished their
pensions TO avail themselves of the provisions Of
the law of 1878, which they considered preferable
The Inconvenience OF the present organization of
/. the committees manifest. The distinction be-
tween them was imperteclly under-ood. The one
was Perpeuaily mistaken ter the other, and much
confusion and delay arose from mistakes in the COM
mitment OF papers He therefore hoped, on every
account, that the proposition of the gentleman from
Massachusetts w uld prevail.
Mr.. WhippIe, finding that the measure so entire.
~ met the views of the gentleman last up who,
from his situation and experience, well able
, TO Judge OF it, withdrew his amendment;
! And the question being then put on the proposed
alteration in the rules OF HE House. it was adopted
mem. con.
Mr. Wright of Ohio, offered the following res.
oution:
Rrsoiced, That tho Committee on PUBL Lands
beinsucied to inquire into the expediency of Civ
Ing the consent Of Congress, that any act or ordi-
e nance relative To the several States as provides
for eyenpting lands sold by the United States
therein from taxation, loo TIE period of five years.
from and after the sale, may be revoked
Mr.. Cook OF Illinois, expressed his entire appro-
baton of the principles Of the resolution Just offer
oil, bur moved 10 arnead so as to lncluIe also the
A State OF Illinois, the proposition being in SUD-
/ stance the same with which he had himself
offered In behalf OF that state al the last session OF
q Congress.
Mr. Wright replied that he had no objection 10
the amendment proposed by the gentleman from
Illinois, but saw 40 reason why, If extended at all
e the proposition should not be extended alike TO oli
) the States, and If the gentem IN would 81 modify
1 his amendment he would cheerl1.ly consent TO H.
IS Nj. Cook modified his amendment accordingly.
and, In supporting il, observed, that the proposal
was no more than one, in behalf of which the State
II OF Illinois had already memorid ized Congress. II
y was proposal 80 Which, as he conceived, there
Il ought to be, end indeed could be, no objection.
" The restriction which II proposed to remove was
q laid upon the new States ~ time when the pub
e c lands were disposed OF credit, and it's object
was 10 prevent the settlers from being taxed,
e until they should have paid for their land That
o state Of things had now ceased The public lands
were no longer sold on credit but for cash; and the
e reason OF the restriction having ceased, The res
IS friction ought 10 cease with II. NO good reason
10 coald Toe assigned why citizen, who had paid for
e hl land VITO living in comfort and safety up
III ON il, and enjoying, in common with other citizens
,s the protection Of he laws, should be exempted
DC from contributing 10 the genesal expenses of the
ne Government.
f.. Of Vfryf,f