Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-02-08
OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL JOURNAL, !
Washington, Saturday Euening, Feb. S. )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
SATURDAY, FEB. S, 1925.

CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL.
MIR. MERCER asked the House to
consider the bill, confirming an act Of
the General Assembly of Maryland,
entitled an act to confirm an act of the
General Assembly of Virginia, entitled
An act for Incorporating the Chesa-
peake and Ohio Canal Company
AYES 64-Noes Al.
There being No quorum, MIR. Mercer
addressed to the House few observa-
tions on the importance of this bill,
stating that it had already taken much
time to mature this measure, so as to
bring it before Congress.
The motion was then agreed to; and
on the question that the bill be read
third time,
Mr.. Cocks, of Tennessee, asked the
House if it was prepared to vote for a
bill, which, although it contained no
appropriation, would lead to appropria-
tons. Why should not the bill take
the regular course and go into COM
mittee There was no evidence before
the House Of the practicability Of the
work, and he would move its reference.
He afterwards withdrew his motion,
and
Mr.. MERCER explained, that this
bill could not involve the country in
the expence Of single dollar, without
the passing Of some subsequent act,
subscribing for stock, or appropriating
money in some other form. 1t was an
act merely to ratify an act which was
laid on The table. Two courses were
before the Commitsee-The6 FIRST was
to report the whole of the Virginia bill,
consisting of % sections, with bill
confirming the same /; or, 2dly. To
report a short bill. The latter course
was taken; and it would be Necessary to
pass it, SO as to have il ratified by the
State of Virginia, at its present session,
or else another year will be lost. He
hoped the bill would be allowed to pass,
before the House should be occupied
with the important business which is
at hand.
Mr.. Cooke hoped the United States
would not subscribe single dollar to
this stock, and he asked how the mo-
rey was to be raised. He might, per-
haps, hereafter vote for the bill, altho'
ifnow called on, he should vote against
it, as it would lay the foundation for
future acts. A great part of the House
had not been aware that the bill was
printed, and on the tables.
Mr.. MERCER explained that the Sc
cond section was to conform the bill
to the wishes Of the State Of Maryland.
If the bill was not ordered to be read a
third time till Monday, there would be
time to consider the bill.
On motion of Mr.. STEWART the bill
was laid on the table.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
The House was about to proceed to
ballot for select committee, on the
communication Of the Speaker, when
MIR. FORSYTH said he understood
that it was the intention of some men,
Der to place his name on the commit.
tee. He hoped the house would not
put him on the committee. He did
not wish to shrink from any duty, but
there were reasons which operated on
his mind, and which induced a wish
on his part to decline acting. He tho't
those who had taken part in the dis
cussion should not be on the commit
tee, as they would scarcely go into it
with unbiased minds.
Mr.. M'LANE rose to make a similar
communication as to himself, taking
the same ground that it would be un-
wise to place any persons on the COM
mittee who had participated in the dis
cussion.
The Speaker pro. TEN. (Mr. TYLoR)
decided the communication to be out
Of order.
The House then proceeded to ballot.
The Speaker having appointed Mr..
INGHAM and Mr. WAKEFIELD to count
the votes, the ballots were collected,
and the following results were declar-
ed -
Whole number Of votes given, 1874
Necessary to choice, 50
The following FIVE gentlemen, hav-
ing majority Of votes, were declared
elected:
Mr.. P. P. BARBuoR had l4l
Mr.. WEBSTER, los
Mr.. M'LANE, 90
MIR. TAYLOR, 81.
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