The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-08-08
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES..
EVENING SESSION

EVENING SESSlON.
The chairman of the Committee Of the Whole on
committee to order at five O'Clock, but no quorum
was present
GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL.
The amendments to the general appropriation bill
being under consideration, some conversation ensued;
and It was proposed that such amendments as were
not objected to be proceeded with until quorum
present. ........
Objections were made.
The CHAIRMAN counted the House, and found
50 members present
The committee rose, on motion Of Mr.. BOYD,
and reported the fact Of no quorum.
Mr.. ADAMS moved a cali Of the House; which
ordered.
The roll having been called through, 100 men,
bers were reported present--not quorum.
Mr.. COBB, remarking that other gentlemen had
| come in, and that quorum present.
moved to dispense with further proceedings in the
call.
The vote being taken, and but llO-still no quo
| rum-yoting,
Mr.. c., by leave, withdrew the motion.
And the absentees were called, showing l40 mem
bers in attendance-a quorum.
The Chairman resumed his seat, and the COM
| mittee proceeded with the consideration of the
amendments Of the Senate.
The following amendment being under considera-
ton
For paying to the land officers at st. Augustine and
New uaRyilla in Florida for issuing permits under the
act Of 4th August lea per centage equal to that allow
ed by Law upon the sale Of the same quantity of public
| lands at thS minimum price, s5.Oooi"
| Mr.. Mckay said the committee recommended
disagreement to this item; and he moved according
y. ... r.". s...- IL. ...
Mr. BROCKENBRoUGH said he was not aware
that the Senate had inserted this amendment but
thought, if understood, itwoud pass, as il
ainy just and had been reported upon favorably last
session, and he understood would have passed but
for being coupled with other matter. The govern
ment had pursued the policy in Florida Of giving
the lands to armed settlers for the purpose Of dr-
wing out the Seminoles In other words, the set
tiers, instead of paying cash for their lands were to
pay in the services Of armed militiamen on the
| frontiers, presenting Gordon Of posts; and this
policy threw upon the register and receiver great
increase of duties in receiving, settling, and adudi
eating these armed occupationsts' rights. And for
this they not only received additional compensa-
| ton, but net even the compensation which they
would have received If the same land had been sold
for money. The amendment Of the Senate wassgi-
y intended to secure them this reasonable compen-
| sation.
| The amendment rejected,
| The amendment of the Senate bel 2 under consd
Grafton, appropriatng $1,000 for salaries of two
keepers ofthe public archives in Florida,
| Mr.. RATHBUN stated, that since this question
was before under consideration, he had seen gen.
tleman, who had held judicial station in Florida,
who satisfied him that this appropriation was neces-
| sary.
MIR. BRoCKENBRoUGH said he had also seen
the same judicial gentleman, and had procured
| very strong letter from him, and another of still
stronger character from Judge Shields late Commits
sioner of the Land Office which proved most incon-
testaby the absolute necessity of this appropriation,
at least until the survey of the private land claims
was completed; but he had not brought them here,
and weud not read them, because they could not
prove more strongly than he had before proved, in
half days debate, the necessity Of this item, and
because he was afraid, if he read them, that
in this matter, and that it for the interest and
protection of her people, and vote against it Of
course. But it really was an affair only Of i'm
portant interest to this government and in which
his constituents very little interested, their
titles would be safe at all events, and if these records
were turned to other officers, this government
would have TO pay much more than this 81 600 for
copies and transations, he willing to leave the
committee to take just such course to protect the in
terests of this government they thought proper.
| Mr.. McCLERNAND stated that TRANSACTIONS and
copies of these papers already here in WASH
inglon made long since by law, or, If not made the
keepers had violated the law and should be paid no
| more
papers we're wanted in Florida, not here. They
were wanted to plot out the private grants upon the
public domain; and if they were to wait until they
could send here and hunt the dusty files and copy
each paper wanted, i would cost more than the sal
airy of the keepers of archives.
| The amendment was then agreed to.
The amendment for repairs Of public piers and
wharves, at the quarantine grounds, on Staten ISL
and, New York, Sl6,675, being under considera-
ton "
MIR. TfBBATTs moved an amendment thereto
for the Ohio and Mississippi, $4,000, and for the
lake harbors S400, 900. ..r.....
The amendment having bsen decided in order,
the point having been raised against it by Mr.. Nc
KAY ..... 0...... ...-s 3d..
The question was taken by teers, and the amend
ment 10 the amendment was rejected-ayes So,
noes 10. .,.-.... ...E... r...s
Mr. TIBBATTS renewed his amendment to the
amendment reducing the sums, to $780, 900 for the
Ohio and Mississippi and 100000 for the lake and
seaboard harbors. ..... ID. .ss.er
The CHAIRMAN, upon further reflection, de-
cded the amendment to the amendment out Of order
under the S0h rule. ..... . ...
! Mr.. TIBBATTS appealed, and after debate, the
question was taken by tollers, and by ayes H. noes
"a, the decision sustained, and the amendment
i decided out OF order
Mr.. THOMPSON, of Pennsylvania moved the
q following amendment to the amendment:
That there s hereby appropriated the Of hun
ded thousand dollars for the preservation Of the public
works nnd the machinery used the construction Of the
scabord and the lakes and which appropriation has
made at the present session Of Congress" Rejected
Other amendments to the amendment Of like
character, were offered and rejected.
During the tendency of one Of these
Mr.. SCHENCK took the floor and spoke an
hour upon political, topics generally. 1t was now
eight O'Clock.
Mr COBB said il was deeply to be regretted that
at this stage of the session, with this and other i'm
: porant measures pending, the legitimate debat,
. upon these amendments could not be permitted 4
be carried on but the House must be fatigued will
a most miserable specimen Of stump speech. |
might, or it might not, be followed by others Of lk
character; but It was due to the House to proec
itself from such impositions. He, therefore, move
thatt the committee rise in order 70 offer resoIutio
for the termination Of this debate.
y The motion being agreed to, the committee ros
and reported.
p Mr. COBB moved the ordinary RESOLUTION to te
inmate the debate in FIVE minutes; and on this he a
manded the previous question.
:" Mr.. VlNToN suggested, as there were some in
Of portant amendments remaining, that ten minutes
Mr., C. declined to withdraw the previous que