Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-04-06
1OIr@8yNS s..
WEDNESDAY,, March 81. 1880.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

I las-dKt
The bill was Passed by vote ot-ayes ~; no,
| counted.
Upon the bill making appropriations for certain exam.
nations aud autveys,
Mr.. Wickhn. moved am amendment, restricting the
application of the appropriations to such works as had
been commenced, but not completed; and to such fu-
ure works might be directed by either House of Con-
gress.
Mr.. WickliHe addressed the House in support of his
amendment aud replied to the various arguments which
had been advanced in opposition 1t. by the gentle
men from =. Carolina and Alabsma, (Mr McDulIe,
and Mr. Clay) He referred 20 the continued
OF projects. in relation 10 the system OF Internal I'm
provemen which. in the present might be more
properly called system Of eternal surveys. III. ex.
horted them to bear in mind, tina, the adoption OF such
measure would lead to the establishment Of an uali.
ctnsed or rather say unlimited sysem of making sur
Veys at the instance or by the request of any indvid
ua who might have an interest in the expenditure of
The public money, in particular sections of the Union
referring to the wide scope which would be given
to those entrusted with the directing of SURVEYS and
The number OF questions Of that already un-
der The consideration OF the House, aud the regular aud
specinc appropriations Tor that subject under the
oA4 lie concluded by few observations the great
Increase oparonage which would be, By such course
thrown into the gift OF the Executive.
Mr. Martin said, that he had, at two different SEES.
slons made an .iiCr similar TO that now made by hi.
friend hom Kentucky, (Mr. WcklHe) to put pcriol
,oue system OF making these surveys. No,with.and.
ing 'hs however, he could not but say that he was OF.
pos'u 20 mat gen'iemans amendmen, considering with
ms colleague (Nlr McDulie that il would be far pre-
eraoc to take the appropriation a Il then stood. He
hoped, that whilst the Government of the Union uisb,
choose ihey Pleased TO attend TO the system OF In
'eIhai Improvement, that the House would at least
rsTain rom designating the lines routes to be sur-
veyed IL W" not his wish to witness a .crambiug on
the part OF gentlemen on that floor, on th part of
heir constituents Tor surveys in TN own dstriets FL
moved, with view to avoid falling into any thing =
sembng partial or incomplete legislation that th. la
Ter part oil the resolution, leaving the direction of
inc surveys TO the discretion Of Congress be expun,e
Mr. Ellsworth mad. few remarks in suoport of the
measure. W. ~
MIR; Irezvant 1t addressed the House. He Oh
served, that those who had spoken in opnoson b,J
spoken Of the waste OF time which the discussion of The
u1srent surveys, proposed from time TO time 10 he
'aue' wou'u occasion in that House, True, such dis
u',oh wouiu necessarily occupy considerable time :;
OUT ne presumed no one who heard him would con.
ceive that time To be mspent or uscles.ly en,ploveJ
"hth was devoted 10 the general interests of the ceun
ny me delay wa an unavoidable accompaniment
we must, said MIR. TreZvant, take steps TO ascertain
me relative mers of the propositions for SURVEYS which
may he brought before us. He asked, also what would
"e gained by the course proposed TO be taken by the
sehueman who had last delivered his sentiments unon
The question? The ado ton of he amendment would
"nS remove the matter step further Eom its Incl
ie"' Stages Alter referring 10 the ~ oceeding. of
iorher congress upon ii, same subject he observed
~ "''n.1n 10 come remarks in favor of entrustng thu
present head OF the Government with the control and
Ion ti The surveys, and in repro ,ch of the late adj
ihi.tration, that they not 10 take into considers,
lion who was the Chief Magistrates; but thew mud Ic
Si:Ate not with regard to individuals but upon general
pI'hcIp'es The person at any time filling the Execu.
e N"diI, inigl all into the of his
anu lie could net therefore. conceive where so imror,
ant power as the one in debate, could be better og
Cd than in the House e
Air Test asked for The previous que on; bu, the call
was cot sustained by the House.
Mr: MTlin again addressed the Chair. He stated
i nT ne was III iavor Of the amendment of Mr. Wick
ln although he disapproved Of its latter cause Cen
"emeh might talk as much as they pleased OF the viz
Tue and public spirit, and patroti,m and indeed of all
the Other honorable attributes of Congress- but for h
own pNr could not but conceive that these excellent
ansit. .......
uons which might he raised matters of local or sec
nonA' interests The responsibility divided that
no particular member could be reproach,d for vote in
rela ION to such subject.
Mr.. Hall and Mr.. Mercer severaIly addressed tbs
HouIe. "
Mr. Irezvant, in reply TO the altr, went over hi,
orn er argument in favor OF leaving the direction of
the surveys TO the discretion Of the House. 1t wa.
po'sibe, he said, tina, The Executive would form an
OPINION OF The propriey Of making the surveys from
Judgment it was equally possible that his opinion would
he founded upon his fancy In either the SURVEYS
wouu be made In Congress, on The contrary the We.
ry an renee OF opinion. or il gentlemen were 90 pleas
ed TO call IT. the wish OF different members, have
surveys made in their respective districts would
give occasion 10 such scrutiny of The comparaiv
advantages and disadvantages Of each proposition of that
ma ure, that the surveys, he would venture TO say
would be reduced far below in number than those d-
rected TO be made by any individual clothed with the
power TO give such directions Ii il were not that he
night he considered as consuming too much of thu
le oil the House, he might further remark that the
Executive could rot be supposed 10 possess the local
information necessary TO decide upon every question
coming before them; whereas the members of the dele
CATION from the different States must of course either
wholly or partially, be fully competent 10 do 90.
MIR. Tucker moved TO strike out the enacting clause
oil The b and upon this question asked for the yeas
and nays
The call for the yeas AMI nays WAS sustained by the
House. by vote Of ayes 33 noes I0S and they were
accordingly ordered TO he taken.
Mr.. McDufhe requested his colleague (AIr. Tuck
er) 10 withdraw his request for the yeas and nays.
The question on the passage of the bill nigh, be taken
IN That manner, which would fully answer the object
in view. ~
Mt Tucker said, that not wishing 10 embarrass the
progress OF the public business, he should wlinqIy
comply with the request Of his lrend at the same time
no"ever'he lelt 1t incumbent OIL him to state thai he
fhomId renew the proposition Unnecessary.
life. 800
The amt ndment OF Mr.. Martia was then rejected,
MT. Il. r. Barbour moved TO amend the anne adment,
by striking out The words " either House Of" so thai
'he Clause should read, by the direction Of Congress
MT; "iekIifls declining TO accept the modic cation
'mf'ner DISC u'son took place, in which Mes.rs p.
=. Barbour, Drayton. Mercer, Spencer of New York
Irwin OF Penn'yyans, and BIrringer, took part
Inc later gentleman ssked for the prsyous que s,ion
but the call not being sustained,
Inc question was taken OIL the amendment Of Mr.
BARBOUR which was nesAtived, by Of 96 TO 10.
inc question Then required The amendment OF
MT WicklGe, which, upon division by yeas and naVs
was decided in the negdGve-Yeas rs Navs III
The amendment was therefore rejected
Mr.. Williams called for the yeas and NAYS on the
question OF The engro'ment Of the bill and the call be-
ing sustained, they were Ordcr red by the House and
decided in the aiHrmative-Yea 12I, Nays g.
ne bl wac thereupou ordered TO be engfossed and
read third time tomorrow