The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-03-09

object sought. It's meaning would depend too much
upon construction and would inevitably give TO
complaint than existed with reference 10 The present law
There only few cases OF promotions TO which the
bill could bring any relief, while proposed some very
questionable restrictions. The amendment by the gem
leman from Illinois Mr.. RICHARDS contained also
injurious restriction, by which bounty land would be
given officer, and denied to another This bounty,
he considered should be extended alike 10 all officers OF
similar grades The whole subject, therefore, should go
before the Committee Military Affairs for revision
Mr. HUNT ohe morning hour having now expred)
moved that the House proceed 10 the consideration OF
business the Speakers table; utwhdrew, upon be-
ing informed that the first business the Speakers Ia
Bile the consideration OF the river and harbor bill
veto.
Mr. SMITH, of Illinois, had an amendment which he
desired TO propose He in favor both OF the bill re-
ported from the Committee on Military Affairs, as well
that reported from the Committee on Public Lands.
But his amendment would confer more benefit upon the
volunteers than all other of the provisions OF these bills
1t TO to them the right OF preempton and to
extend the right their behalf to the purchase oil eghty
and forty -acre lots, instead OF lots of 100 acres,
The SPEAKER said the amendment could not be IN
order at this time
information, and to have the referred with the bill
His amendment was then read as follows:
That the land for military services in the pres
of the ac of February lth lSt7, raise for limited
time additional military iorce and for other purposes
forty or eighty tracts any land office in the United
taes upon any the public lands in such district subject
private entry upon lands improved by The war
ahee his heirs at law to which he or his heirs,
have secured right n and this provision
Mr. FICKLN asked if the construction of the depart
did not to volunteers the right OF pre-
emption to 100 acres!
Mr.. SMITH said, if it were so, the decision had OBJ
tanned since he left his home but that would not weaken
the claims of his amendment, which was to extend the
70 S s Their the would
embrace large number OF cases 1t could have no more
than the effect of decaratory act He IN ia
yor of the bill as it came from the Committee Public
nd apd OnpOeed IN the amendments. and
ton to refer the subject 10 committee which could
only operate as a delay to the action of the House.
Mr. HASKELL thought he had proposition which
would meet the views of all, and which he desired to
propose by way OF substitute HIS proposition was then
read.
Mr. H. said if his substitute were received it would
operate guide to the department for the con.
srucon of the of 1s47 1t repealed the proviso OF
that act and was otherwise merely declaraory He then
demanded the previous question.
Mr. HARRISON asked if the substitute embraced
these cases OF promotion in the regular army!
Mr.. HASKELL. There are no such promotions in the
Mr.. HARALSON entertained different opinion
Mr.. HOUSTON made point of order here, whether
the BILL which appropriates the public property would
not have to go to the Committee OF the Whole on the
The SPEAKER regarded the bill as not coming within
the class appropriating money 1t was mere declara
tory act and, such, need not necessarily go to the
Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union.
Mr.. HOUSTON appealed.
Mr.. STEPHENS moved to lay the appeal on the table
which was agreed TO.
The House now refused to second the demand for the
previous question
Mr.. ENBREE spoke in favor of committing the bill.
He was in favor of the measure; but he wished to in
clude the officers who served in the with Great
Britain The of 1912 carried in the heart OF
country, and the defenders of the country at that
time were as much entitled to regard the officers
employed in Mexico
The motion to commit agreed to.
The SPEAKER then proceeded to call the committees
for reports which, with the remainder of this days pro-
ceedngs, we are obliged to defer until tomorrow