The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-05-17
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

Mr.. DAWSON, of La, was very anxious this
morning to get up bill, which has passed the
Senate this session for the sixth time, and been
twenty or thirty years before Congress, for the
settlement Of certain land claims in Louisiana !;
but
Mr.. ELMER rose to privileged question, and
insisted upon his right to the floor, which the
Speaker assigned to him. The question related
to the controversy between Messrs. White and
Rathbun, and Mr.. E., after explaining his views
of the matter, submitted resolution, which was
read for information, and which briefly rectes the
circumstances of the case, and concludes with
the censure of the House upon Messrs White
and Rathbun
Mr.. WHITE next obtained the floor, and re-
piled to some of the statements of Mr.. Elmer, de-
nying their correctness, and substantlatlng the
denial by reference to a report OF his remarks
upon former occasion. Mr.. w. then comment
ed with some severity upon the report of the Sc
lect Committee, which called up Mr.. Saunders in
explanation.
Mr.. WELLER then obtained the floor.
Mr.. ORDER, of KY, hoped the gentleman
was not about to move the previous queston-he
wished the privilege of submitting few remarks.
Mr.. w. declined yielding and after excusing
both parties tothe transaction in question: as hav-
ing done what they had under excite ment, and
upon provocation, as was believed, by both mem
bers, moved to lay the whole subject upon the
table.
Mr.. HALE called for the yeas and nays, which
were ayes 80, noes 73-lhus this matter was
finally disposed of.
MI. MCKAY moved that the rules be suspend
ed, that the House might go into Committee of
the Whole.
Mr.. BARNARD asked what was the regular
order of business.
The SPEAKER. The first bill on the table
is the eastern harbor bill.
Several voices" let us take up that
Mr. MCKAY insisted upon the yeas and nays
on his motion, which was rejected Dy 80 TO "a.
Reports were then made by the numerous
standing committees. Among them Was a reso-
luton from the Committee on Private Land
Claims, proposing to discharge the Committee OF
the Whole from the consideration of bill for the
settlement in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Missouri,
and make the bill the special order of the day for
Tuesday next.
Mr. CAVE JOHNSON, of Tenn, said that the
disposition OF fifteen millions acres of land was in
voved in this bill
The SPEAKER observed that il would take a
vote of two-tairds to adopt this resolution.
The yeas and nays were called upon it, and
were ayes Cd, noes $50 it was lost.
Mr.. ADAMS then presented memorial from
the American Statistical Society, in regard to err
rors in the Census. Mr.. A. asked that the me-
mortal be referred to a select committee of five
members.
Mr. BELSER las we understood) asked if
the memorial was from persons of color in New
York!
Mr. ROBERTS, of Miss, and others, objected.
Mr. A. then moved suspension of the rules,
and demanded the yeas and nays, which stood
ayes 81, noes 49-one more affirmative vote
| would have made tie of two-thrds.
| Mr.. A. asked the Speaker if he had voted
The SPEAKER had not, but would have voted,
| if he had possessed the right, in the negative.
| The House then took up the Eastern harbor
| bill, and Mr.. THOMPSON advocated with great
zeal an appropriation of $4,000 for improving
the navigation of Pass Christian between Mobile
and New Orleans.
Mr.. BLACK, of GA, opposed the entire bill
and concluded by moving the previous question,