The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1845-02-11

Mr.. McCAUSllN presented sundry petitions from
citizens OF Coumbiana county, Ohio, asking for
reduction OF the price of the public lands, which
were referred TO the Committee ON Pubic Lands.
Mr.. HAYS presented the petition Of citizens OF
Venango and Butler counties, Pennsy vania, for the
construction OF a McAdamized road at point
on the Cumberland road, at the western base
of the Laurel Hill, through Pittsburg, and by the
Arsenal at Plttsburg, and the Arsenal at Meadville,
TO the harbor at Ere; which was referred 10 the
Committee on Roads and Canals
Mr.. CALDW ELL presented The petition of John
Turner, Of Wayne county, Kentucky, asking Tor
pension which was referred to the Committee on In
valid Pensions.
SECURITY FROM STEAMBOAT EXPLOSIONS.
Mr.. TlBBA1TS presented the memorial Of Will
liam Hamilton Watkins and ninety other citizens of
New Orleans, asking that Congress may pass House
bill No H. entitled "a bill to amend an act entitled
AN act to provide for the better security of the lives
of passengers board of vessels propelled in whole
or IN part by steam, approved July 8, 1888; which
referred TO the Committee of the Whole on the
state Of the Union.
On motion of Mr.. LEVY, the Committee of the
Whole were discharged from all the bills relating to
mttee of the Whole on the state Of the Union
Mr.. KENNEDY, of Maryland, asked II at the
Committee of the Whole be scharged from the con-
sideraon of the bill alter the mode of admeasure
ment of tonnage; but objection was made, and
On motion of Mr.. LEVY, the House resolved itself
Union Mr. Davis of Indiana in the Chair, and pro-
ceeded TO consider the bills relating to
THE TERRITORIES
The following bills without debate were read, and
ordered to be laid aside to be reported the House,
viz:
The bill to enable the people of Iowa to form
State Government and TO provide for her admission
into the Union;
The bill aPpropriatng four thousand dollars for the
erection of light house the town of Southport,
in the territory of Wisconsin,
The bill appropriahDg fifteen thousand dollars for
continuing the harbor improvements already COM
menced in Southport, Wisconsin;
The bill approprialiDg ten thousand dollars for the
construction and improvement Of certain roads in the
territory of Wisconsin
The bill authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury
to issue patents for town lots sold at Mineral Point
Wisconsin and
The bill making appropriations for certain militia
services in Florida.
The bill TO provide compensation certain regis
tiers, receivers, and surveyors of the land offices in
Florida for special services and to prescribe the fees
TO be received by all such officers in other cases. gave
TO briet debate the termination of which, on
motion Of Mr.. CAVE JOHNSON, the bill was or
dered to be reported to the House. with recommen-
datiOn that it be rejected
The bill making appropriation of twenty-five
thousand dollars for the improvement of roads in
Iowa; and
The bill in relation to certain town lots in the town
of Madison, were laid aside TO be reported to the
House.
The bill to provide for the payment of the Iowa
militia, called into service in December, 1899, hav-
ing been read,
Mr.. CAVE JOHNSON interposed several objec-
tions to the BILL The militia of Iowa were brought
into the field against the people of Missouri, during
the dispute in relation to the boundary line between
the State and the Territory and if such precedent
as that proposed we're TO be set individuals of any
two adjoining States might get up battle, and then
severaIly bring claims before Congress for indemnf
cation.
Mr.. JAMESON attributed the calling out of
troops to Governor Boggs, of Missouri, and Govern
or Chambers, of iowa. Neither the people of Mis-
souri, nor Iowa, however, were to blame. Missouri
had paid off her militia, and he would promise the
House that she would not, in consequence, make any
claim upon this Government.
Mr.. DODGE, the delegate from Iowa, advocated
the BILL 1t had passed the House three times al
ready and not the officers to receive any part
of the money promised to be appropriated but the
farmers and mechanics, Who were called into
vice iD m dwiDter by the constituted authorities of
the General Government.
Mr.. RATHBUN submitted an amendment, to ex-
tend the provisions of the bill to the militia of Mis-
souri,, and accompanied it with few remarks, in the
course Of which he said that he did not know, as a
matter of justice that it should extend to other cases.
including the collision between Ohio and nj ichigan.
Mr. WELLER responded He thought that if
Missouri had a claim TOR militia services, she would
have 1t presented through of her own representa-
uves and not trust the business representative Of
another State la his opinion, the bill in its prov
SONS, was just and proper-t to pay who
were compelled to render militia service.
Mr. RATHBUN replied. He would, with plea
sure, follow the gentleman from Ohio whenever he
might move IN any matter in which New York
interested, and which might escape the attention of
her representatives. The people of Iowa had
right 10 make hostile attitude and then ask the
Government to pay the expense
Mr.. DAVIS, of Kentucky, was vor Of the
bill. Missouri invaded Iowa, for the purpose of
wrestling territory from her. and it the duty Of the
Governor, rep esenting the authority of the United
States, to defend the soil from seizure invasion.
Mr.. DEAN said that this was Just clam, and
should be paid. The militia was called out TO aid
civil process; and he expressed the hope that the
amendment OF the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Rahbun,) would not be adopted, It no doubt
introduced for the purpose of embarrassing the BILL
and not properly to add to the legislation wi refer
ence to this subject.
Mr.. VlNTON opposed the bill. He was not will
ing nor ready TO put into the hands Of the autbor
lies Of that Territory the power of making either
civil or foreign The Constitution Of the United
States did not vest such delicate and responsible
power iD such cases. Money but pcayune af-
laIr-h was the principle for which he commended.
Mr.. DODGE, the Delegate, from Iowa, caused to
be read extract from of the of the Ter
rory, and not forbidden by Congress- to show, that
IN accordance Herewith, the Governor had but COM
piled with his oath TO that the laws be faithfully
executed; and be demonstrated that not only had the
people reason to resort to arms, but pork, flour, etc.
had been taken from individuals for the support OF
the troop, for which they had not been paid.
Mr.. DAVIS, of Kentucky, again addressed the
committee contending that the Governor of Iowa, by
the second section of the law, establishing the Tern
tory, had the warran, of Congress for what he did
Mr.. VINTON differed from the gentleman in his
opinion, The power OF ny the militia to re-
pei invasion devoved alone Congress by tie Con-
stuion.
Mr.. BRENGLE said the principle Of the bill
was more important than the money involved. 1t
was nor less than TO assert that mere Exc
culve officer of this Government, independently and
above the people, could exert the military power Of
the land. IL the Governor did not in accordance