The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-20
TWENTY-NINTH CONGRESS.
First Session.
WEDNESDAY,, May 20, 1916.
IN SENATE.

Mr.. NILES presented four petitions Of shipown-
ers and ship masters, citizens Of Connecticut pray
ing that the act OF March 3D. 1887, concerning Pi,
lots may not be repealed; which was referred 10 the
Committee on Commerce.
Mr.. N. also presented the petition Of Ann Dodd,
widow OF deceased revolutionary soldier, praying
a pension; which was referred to the Committee on
Pensions.
Mr.. BRIGHT presented the petition of William
sloan, praying the passage OF an act recognising
him as citizen of the United States which was re-
ferred to the Committee on the judiciary
Mr.. STURGEON presented the proceedings of a
meeting of citizens Of Easton, Pennsy lyania, ten
dering their services TO the government TO aid In the
prosecution Of the war with Mexico which were
laid upon the table
In presenting the above, Mr.. s. submitted few
pointed remarks il relation to the unanlmlty Of feel
ing and the patriotism which had been exhibited by
the people OF Pennsylvania during the present
crisis.
MINERAL LANDS.
Mr.. WOODBRIDGE presented resolutions,
passed by The legislature of the State of Michigan,
together wh copies Of reports Of committees Of that
body, rela6ve to the right Of the United States TO
lease the mineral lands within that State.
Mr.. WOODBRIDGE made few pertinent re-
marks in support Of the resolutions.
Mr.. WEBSTER said he rose for the purpose OF
taking occasion to inquire Of the chairman Of the
BREEsE,l whether that committee had made any
progress in that great and, in his opinion, very
cessary subject of legislation-a proper provision
respecting the mineral lands Of the United States
He hardly knew how long this subject had occupied
the attention Of one other Of the houses Of Con-
gress Il had Of late become a subject Of renewed
interest. He thought IL ought To be taken up and
disposed Of specially and finally during the present
session OF Congress. He rose merely To express
the hope that the committee charged with this sub
iect would report measure as speedily as possible;
and TO inquire what progress had been already
made by theeommlttee
Mr.. BREESE replied, but his remarks were not
distinctly heard in the gallery. He said that he
was happy to have il in his power TO answer the
senator from Massachusetts, as far the action oil
the Committee Public Lands was concerned, in
relation to the lead mines. The subject OF the cop
per mines had not been directly before the commit
tee. About two months since a report had
been submitted by the committee, with a joint
resolution transferring, the care and custody
and control Of these lands from the War
Department, where, in the judgment Of the
committee, they did not legtimately belong, TO the
Treasury Department, 10 which the control Of the
whole public land system had been confined. The
lead mines had been the subject Of an elaborate re-
port, submitted several months since, by the COM
mlttee, and that report was accompanied by bill
providing for their sale, almost identical with that
which applied to the State Of Missouri passed sew
eral years ago. He had been very desirous TO call
up that bill for the action Of the Senate and he sup
posed that all who had examined the subject would
concur with him, that after reading the messages OF
the President on this subject and the several reports
Of the ordnance bureau for the Last ten years tina
there would be no difficulty about the proper legis-
laton; that there would be hestancy in directing
the sale OF these lands. But he had been informed
that it would be inexped to call up the bill ou
of its order unless there was urgent public necessi
ty for il; and that was the reason that it had moi
yet been taken up. He hoped he would have the
aid Of the honorable senator from Massachusetts,
tMr. WsBsrERl in accomplishing the object which
the committee had in reporting that BILL and to the
notice of that gentleman he mr.. b. would take the
liberty Of commencing the report then made.
Mr.. WEBSTER had only TO express the hope
that then all the mineral lands would be taken into
a final disposition OF the copper lands, on ac-
count Of the great increase Of private inter-
eat IN them. He entirely agreed with the
,Aember from illinois in the expediency Of maxi
ing sales of all the mineral lands. He thought
that the relation of landlord and tenant was
undesirable one between the government Of the
United States and the occupants Of the mineral
lands.
Mr.. CASS made few remarks, showing the ne
cessity Of speedy legislation the subject embra-
cling the pointsfrst of the sale of the lands and
secondly, the observance of proper regard to the
Improvements made by individual enterprise.
Mr.. SEWER suggested that the object could be
accomplished by making the law of Missouri gener-
all repeating only so much as related to lead mines
and salt springs.
MIR. BREESE was happy to perceive the general
interest felt in the Senate with regard to this sub
iect. The attention of the Committee on Public
Lands had not been directed to the copper mines by
any resolution of the Senate; and he would observe
that these lands had not yet been surveyed. por-
ton had been surveyed, merely for the purpose of
locating permits, that the mines could be worked
but they had not yet been surveyed and divided in
TO townships according to law. Till surveys were
made, the sales could net be effected So far az the
lead mines were concerned, the attention of the
committee had been called to them by the message
of the President, and on the 9th of January bill
was reported, accompanied by a lengthy report,
showing that these lands instead of being productive
were dead loss to the government.
After brief conversation between Messrs WEB
STER, SEWER, and BREESE,
The resolutions from the Legislature of Michigan,
were ordered to be printed, and referred to the
Committee on Public Lands, with the understanding
that the subject be taken up without delay.
PILOT LAWS.
Mr.. DIX presented Joint resolutions, passed bv
the legislature of New York, in favor Of the pas
sage of law comforting upon the States the power to
regulate the appointment Of pilots within their re-
specuve limits; which was ordered to lie on the ia
bic, and be printed.
Mr.. ID. also presented several remonst frances, from
citizens of New York, against the renewal of pa
tent heretofore granted to Jethro Wood which were
laid upon the table.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.
Mr.. NILES, from the Committee on the Post
Office and Post Roads, reported bill for the relic,
OF Isaiah Foy, of New Jersey which was read,
and passed to the second reading; and the accom-
panyIng report was ordered to be printed.
Mr.. N. also, from the same coutnittee, reported
bill for the relief of Greed Taylor, of Arkansas;
which was read, and passed to the second reading;
and the accompanying report was ordered to be
printed.
MILITARY ACADEMY.
Mr.. EVANS, from the Committee on Finance,
10 which was referred the House bill making appro.
priaions for the support of the Military Academy,
reported the same with amendments.
Mr.. JOHNSON, Of Louisiana, from the Commit
tee on Pensions, asked that said committee be dis
charged from the further consideration Of the petit
tion Of A. II. Garna and that be referred to the
Committee on Naval Affairs; which was agreed to.
Mr.. J. also, from the same committee, reported
bill for the relief Of Nathaniel Stafford; which was