The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-05-22
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.


The journal having been read, the SPEAKER
left his seat and summoned Mr. WELLER to
take it, while Mr.. ELMER, from the Committee
on Elections, made report in the contested cleo
ton of Messrs. Bolts and Jones, of Virginia.
The report was read, laid on the table, and or
dered to be printed.
Mr.. SCHENCK gave notice of an intention to
submit counter report from the minority of the
same committee which was also ordered to be
printed.
Mr.. ELMER then moved the printing of the
testimony in the case, which he said would make
large volume. '-
Mr.. DOUGLASS said the report contained be-
tween six and seven hundred depositons, and
great deal of other matter. He hoped the case
would be acted upon at the present session.
Mr.. SCHENCK desired that the minority of
the committee might have access to the testimony
which it was now proposed to print; this was
necessary to them, and he therefore wished the
question of printing the testimony postponed for
two or three days--no longer
Mr.. CHAPMAN, of Va, saw no reason for
publishing the testimony at all When the mi
nority reported, it could be decided whether It
was necessary to print the testimony.
The question of printing the testimony was
postponed until Monday next.
THE sEMINoLEs
L.
following resolution: Resolued, That the Pres-
dent of the United States communicate to this
House by what authority a party of Seminole
Indians are now in this city.
The resolution was objected to and not re-
ceived
NAVY APPROPRIATION BILL.
The House resolved itself into Committee of
the Whole upon the state of the Union.
Mr.. DUNCAN moved to take up the Oregon
bill, but the motion was rejected by So 20, and
the Committee proceeded to consider the above
named bill.
The pending amendment was the motion of Mr..
JOHNSON, of Tenn, to strike out all appropri-
ations for the Washington Navy Yard.
Mr. ASHE, of Tenn, made an able and Jealous
speech in favor of the establishment of Western
branch of the Navy, but did not urge such nea-
sure at the expense of any existing establishment
Mr.. JOHNSON withdrew the amendment.
Mr.. HUNT, of N. Y, then moved to amend
the bill, (Which appropriates five and half mil
lion for the naval service from July l, 1874, to
July L. lS45,) by providing that no more than
half the amount shall be expended within the first
six months. Mr.. Ii. explained the purpose Of this
amendment, which was, he sald to be found IN
the recent conduct of the Executives who, with
out the authority of Congress-, and with gross
assumption of power, had undertaken to send an
army to the Sabine, and fleet to the Gulf of
Mexico. He would limit these interferences with
the prerogatlve of Congress by taking away the
power to make them. 1t became Congress to
vndicate the dignity of the Government, by re-
fusing to sanction the gross abuses of power of
which the President has been guilty. The Pres
ldent, in his view, was DESTROYS of bringing about
war, in defiance of the Constitution, and regard
less of the interests of the country. For one, he
wished to control the portentous and alarming
precedent which the Executive was striving to
establish. If the present usurpation was dlsre-
garded, the most serious consequences might fol-
low. Mr. H. did not look upon the present Exc
cutve SIS a Cesar Cromwell, but it would
not do to allow his reckless conduct to pass un-
rebuked.
Mr.. ATKINSON, of Va, replied to MIR. H.,
and declared that he could see nothing of the
usurpatons charged upon the Executive. Mr..
A. continued with random speech in favor OF
the Navy.
Mr.. OWEN, of Ia, made an elaborate defence
Of the Texas treaty. He first referred to Gene