Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-12-23

tuilIee on the SuDIC LANDS, alreauy OVef-ruH
with business, 10 examine The subject properly
during the present Session. Mr.. Campbell ofO-
hio was opposed to Select Committee consider
ing the Committee on the Public Lands more
suitable reference, and therefore moved that the
resolution be amended accordingly. Mr. Scott
Of Missouri, as Chairman Of the Committee on
the Public Lands, declared the inability OF that
Committee to give the subject that attention,
immediately, which its importance claimed.
He was in favor of Standing Committee, not
being able to see the distinction, which had been
often insisted upon, between the influence on
the House produced by the Reports Of Standing
Committees and that produced by Select Conn
mittees. He considered them equally entitled to
confidence, and hoped the resolution would not
be amended. Mr.. Strong Of New York, thought
that however great the talents or industry of a
Select Committee might be, it would take it
some time TO become as well acquainted with
the Land Laws as the Committee on The Public
Lands was presumed to be, and hence was In
favor Of the amendment
The question was then taken on the amend
ment and decided in the affirmative.
Mr.. Jennings, of Indiana, said that unless
the Committee on the Public Lands had
changed its opinion, it would be useless to
give the resolution that direction, the Com
mittee having already several times decid-
ed against the principles contained in 1.-THE
would therefore move to lay the resolution on
the table, under the hope thar at another time
the House would agree 10 Select Commit
tee
Mr.. Cook believed his friend was in error,
and asked him 10 withdraw his motion, which
was done;-he then expressed his wish that the
resolution might pass as amended, with view
10 ascertain whether the Committee on the Pub
lie Lands would be able to act upon it, and, if
not, he would hereafter ask for Select Com
mittee. The resolution was then adopted as a.
| mended.
On motion Of Mr. Weems, of Md. it was
ResoLUed, That the Committee on the Judici-
| ary be instructed to inquire into the ex2edien
cy OF amending the laws of naturalization here
tofore passed on that subject, so that when any
person shall make application to be admitted a
citizen Of the United States, and shall prove to
the satisfaction Of Judge or Judges of The Dis
| trict or County Cour, of the State wherein he
resides, on the oath or affirmation Of al least
two witnesses, that he has been resident, with
in the limits and under the Jurisdiction of the
United States, for at least five years preceding
the time of such application, as also the place
| or places where the applicant has resided for al
least FIVE years as aforesaid, shall be deemed
citizen Of the United States, and entitled, upon
taking the usual oath of allegiance and paying
the legal costs, TO receive certificate Of natu
| ralization, although he may have omitted from
ignorance or improper information, or from be-
ing minor, to have entered his name as can
didate for naturalization; and whether any 9TH
er and what alterations may be necessary in the
existing laws on the subject Of naturalization.
On motion of Mr.. Mitchell Of Md. it was
ResofUed, That the several memorials from
the Captains Of the Army of the United States
(now on the files of the House) asking an aug.
mentation of their pay be referred to the Com
mit,ee on Military Affairs.
On motion of Mr.. Barney Of Nd
Resolved, That the Committee of Ways &
Means be instructed 10 enquire into the expe-
diency Of creating the Offices of Commissioner
fihe Customs, whose duty il shall be under the d-
rection of the Secretary of the Treasury, to su
perintend this important branch of the revenue,
and to enforce greater uniformity in the col
lection of the same.
On motion of Mr.. Hamilton of c. i, was
ResolUed, That the Committee on Military
Affairs be Instructed to enquire into the expe-
diency Of graduating the pay Of the Surgeons
and Assistant Surgeons Of the Army OF the
United States in proportion to the length of
time they may have been in the service.
On motion Of Mr. Stewart Of Penn.
Resoived, That the Committee of Roads &
Canals be instructed to enquire into the expe-
diency Of surveying and opening Road di
verging from the National Road at some point
near the Western base of the Allegheny Noun
tain, through Pittsburgh TO Lake Erie.
Mr. Livingston of Louisiana, submitted the
following resolution, which lies on the table one
day:
Resoiyed, That the following article be added
under its proper head, 10 the Standing Rules
Of this House: "Whenever any subject i, pro-
posed TO be referred to any designated Com
mittee. and another Committee shall be pro-
posed to be substituted, the question to which
Committee it shall be referred shall be taken
without debate
On motion Of Mr.. Campbell Of Ohio, it was
Resoived, That the sundry reports made TO
this House at the last session, by the Secretary
of War, in relation to Desertions from the Ar
nv, be referred 10 the Committee on Military
Affairs, with instructions to enquire into tn"
expediency Of adopting some further legal pro-
visions which may more effectuaIly restrain de-
sertions.
On motion of Mr.. McMapus it was
ResolUed, That there be appointed Select