Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-06-05
bill to extend the time for locating military land

pit W eAteuu the Tune lot lOcdtlng military lana
warrants.
On motion of Mr.. Burt, the Territorial bust
ness was postponed until Q o'clock.
Mr.. Burt offered resolution to terminate the
debate on the bill Supplemental TO an act pro-
viding for the prosecution of the existing war be-
tween the United States and the Republic of
Mexico, and for other purposes" at one o'clock
to-day.
Mr. Garret Davis moved to lay the resolution
on the table. Lost. Ayes 55-noes IS.
MIR. HARRISON demanded the previous question
on the passage Of the resolution.
Mr. G. Davis appealed 10 Mr.. H. 10 withdraw
his demand for the previous question, and allow
al least one day 10 debate bill OF SO much i'm
portance.
MIR. HARRISON said that personally he had no
objection, but others would not consent TO delay
The Speaker then put the question upon Sc
conding the demand for The previous question.
A member. What is il?
Another member. Its the Gag
The previous question was seconded, and the
main question having been put, the resolution was
adopted. Yeas 93-nays &c.
The House (at a quarter before IL o'clock
leaving one hour and quarter tor the discussion
of the bill went into Committee OF the Whole,
Mr.. Tibbatts in the Chair, and took up The bill.
MIR. Garrett Davis spoke at considerable length
in opposition 10 the bill. The 9Th section, he con-
tended, was direct violation of the Constitution,
and the six additional generals authorised by the
first section were wholly unnecessary. Mr.. d..
censured the President for not having sent more
troops TO Gen. Taylor before the com nencement
OF hoslillies.
MIR. Davis complained that the bill was hurried
through with unnecessary haste. He thought
The war was now near its close; and, in his opin-
ion, there was no necessity Tor an increase OF Ge-
nerals, unless il was Tor the purpose Of suspend
ing Gen. Taylor.
Mr.. BrinkerhofT, one Of the Military Commit
tee, said that the only object he had in reporting
the bill was TO make Gen. Taylor Major Gene
| raj.
Mr.. Davis said General Taylor was jus, as
competent 10 conduct the war, as ii he were
made Major General. He then proceeded 10
argue that the course pursued by The President
in placing General Taylor in his position on the
frontier with 50 few men, was censurable, and
that Mr.. Polk was entitled TO no credit Tor The re-
cent victories.
Mr.. Boyd gave notice of an amendment to the
effect that promotion shall cease when The servi-
ces OF the volunteers and militia shall be no long
er required.
MIR. Henley followed in opposition to the first
section OF the bill. He could not see the neces-
sity Tor any additional Major Generals or any
additional Brigader Generals. We had enough
officers already TO fight our battles, and il we
made auy more, we should find il very difficult
10 get rid Of them at the close OF the war. Mr..
II. also defended the President with zeal and
ability from the charges made agains! him by
Mr.. Davis.
Mr.. Burt moved that the Committee rise,
which was agreed TO, and The Committee rose
accordingly.
MIR. Burr then moved further 10 postpone the
Territorial business until Thursday next, which
was agreed TO.
Mr. Burt then moved to reconsider the vote
by which the resolution TO terminate the debate
on the supplementary war bill al one o'clock was
| adopted. The motion prevailed.
The resolution being then before the House,
| Mr.. Burt moved to strike out zone o'clock to-day
and insert 3 o'clock to- morrow.
MIR. Cobb moved to substitute IS o'clock to-day"
| Not agreed TO.
| Mr.. Burt then modified his amendment so as
10 terminate The debate at o'clock tomorrow,
and the resolution thus amended was adopted.
On motion of MIR. HARRISON, the House again
went into Commiltee Of The Whole and the con.
sideration of the bill was resumed.
/ MIR. HARRISON then took The floor in reply TO Mr.
! Davis, and showed from the official returns OF
Gen. Scott that Gen. Taylor's command amount
ed TO upwards Of 4 600 troops-exceeding the
number promised him, and which Mr.. Davis GEN.
sured the President for not having sent 10 him &C
cording 10 promise. MIR. n. also explained the
necessity for The appointment of additional gene
rails, and defended the bill in all its provisions.
| Mr. Brinkerhoff followed on the same side.
Mr.. Mcdowell Of Ohio thought the bill made
greater provision for an increase OF the Army
than the necessities Of the case required. We
have but one War on hand-that with Mexico
aud are attacking that country only al one or two
points, and must not lose sight of economy while
adopting measures in relation 10 it.
The debate was continued until late hour
when The Committee rose, and The House ad,
1 lourned.