Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-03-11

wheh restricted the benefits OF the bill to p-
Yates promoted the actual Of war; calculated
an nyous distinction, and conne the bounty OF the Gov
eminent favored few. Some regiments had gone the
seat OF companies and their field officers elected
there these would get land while the captains and eute
nans their companies would be entitled 10 The bill
needed to be revised and amended by committee He
thought the Government ought give the bounty to all the
officers nome The law in its present shape would pre-
sent great difficulties OF constructions and give rise to multi
!! Piled Complaints.
Mr. BLACK Of South Carolina said it was impossible
that tie House could bill Of this character without
doing great injustice class Of persons another unless
il deliberately considered and fully maured by suitable
committee Mr.. H. for securing the land bounty every
volunteer officer that would do justice 10 all He in
favor Of no improper and iryidous determinations.
Mr. SMITH, Of Illinois, observed that he had not been in
the habit Of troubling the House by remarks of his bu il
. , -. he represented here Congressional district
from which volunteers had gene r,cS'can war
than from other in the whole country, and on that &C.
count fit and proper that he should say few words
bill of this character. Ii any gentleman doubted the
Of what he had stated let him go the record and
he would find il to be true; il not, Mr. s. should then be
ready make TO him the aende honorab His district had
sent regiments fight the battles Of the country and it
was really to send il they needed Mr.. y.
might say, relation his action in regard to these
Volunteers that in eay stage of the proceedings OF Con-
aress regard the war; Mr. s. had given notice of his in
tenton Introduce bill provide for the very
tanned the present bill But before he had had an oppor
tuniy to bring in the bif the Committee on Military Affairs
had reported one for the same objects.
Nh ). in favor Of the bill reported from the Military
Committee and also from the Committee the Public Lands
He thought that the amendment which had been moved by
his colleague (Mr RIcHARDsoS just IN rs principle he
went the distinction contained but certainly would
gross injustice exclude from the benefit Of the land bounty
private soldiers who for merit had been promoted to commits
sons the field Mr. s. concurred in the belief TIM the
construction put upon the original bill the Pension Office
wrong but he had amendment which he proposed
Offer which in results would confer benefits and
more men than the present BILL II had regard many
in The
went into the woods and made Improvement tract If
land and after doing offered himself volunteer and
the service Of the United States HAVING served
out his he returned but he excluded from the benefit
of his abo because he had yet been able TO collect
enough money pay for his land for Mr. s. must admit
lie domain and improved spot for themselves and thus OF
tanned little home, which they able for some time
enter though its whole value derived from their
labor. Mr. . would like to move section the
bill but he presumed that would be in ORDER he
would propose amendment 10 the amendment Offered
by his colleague He held to be proper allow these sola
diers their land in of eighty and forty acres
and require them take their hundred and sixty
all in body Would gentlemen force these brave and
faithful to take all their bounty in woodland all Of
in prairie He presumed not BY allowing them enter
il in smaller tracts the amendment would go benefit hun
dred where the bill stood would benefit one.
Mr. EVANS said that there bill for this very purpose
now before the Land Committee.
Mr. SMITH replied that that very possible-so there
many other bills before the of the House
which might never become laws Mr.. s. for embracing
the Pesent moment he wanted this provision, not in the
shape Of separate bib 10 be reported at future day,
but TO have it added amendment to bill which
The way to its passage.
The CHAIR reminded Mr.. SMITH that since the offering
Of the amendment Of his colleague (Mr RICHARpsos)
motion had been made commit the BILL No further amend
ment in order I'LL that motion decided.
Mr. saITHs amendment follows:
g And that the land for military services in the
present with Mexico issued in pursuance Of the OH
rs l. italt
time additional military force and tor other purposes
be located by the ~aranee his heirs At Law IN forty or
eighty tracts land office in the United States, upon
Of the public lands in such district SUBJECT 10 private en-
try upon lands improved by the his heirs
law or TO which ne Or their heirs may have secured pre-
empou right and the provisions OF this section shall apply
to The provided for in this act"
brief conversation ensued between Mr. FICKIIN aud
Mr.. SMITH, OF Illinois
Mr. JOHNSON, of Arkansas said il appeared TO him that
the House did not look this in a light. Many
Of them seemed regard bill brought in here
very large number OF cases. Now The fact that the bill,
whenever passed, would not apply than three
four hundred s object only TO supply
defect the bill Of the last session or, Justly
decaratcry aceclaratory the aud meaning
the last session. because from the very and Ian
o that act these cases were embraced heea when
by construction OF the Department they put out and
thereby this bill rendered necessary
The motion had been made refer this bill the Commit
tee on Military Affairs Why, the proposition TO refer to
another standing committee nothing than nAec-
ton upon the Committee Public Lands who bad reported
it, He would like to know what peculiar and superior right
the Committee Military Affairs had the consideration
OF this subject related equally the business Of each
He would like TO ask where the opposition 10 this
bill Gentlemen the other side could repioach this side
bitterly The opposition not the other side II
among the Democracy. Ii there those who wanted to
defeat IT, lei them get up and say boldly, openly He
asked therefore, that the b might I've voted upon by yeas
AMI NAYS.
This was no extraordinary bill il merely declaraory
Of the act Of Il that there was defect
in tic bill as reported but il defect which was amply
supplied and provided against 10y the amendment Of the gem
teman from Illinois. He Sad let this bill pass as it stood
provided for all the for which il intended provide
and let these other which sought TO provide for
up in separate bill He knew every time they
oIed till in this House with additional amendments they
endangered the bill ITSELF the risk o. the House
until the most Just and righteous sacrificed here He
called o the and and be hoped that the bill might
he sustained and the question taken upon the merits Of the bill
He understood that the Committee Military Afiirs had
reported bill which Identical with the bin before the
Horse 1t seemed 10 him. then, that the object Of referring il
back to te committee, rather different committee
n produce delay and to defeat the BILL The bill and amend
mut they presented-as every man could
" examining them-made ample provision FOR granting jos
Tee 10 those brave and patriotic clzens who had gone
and AZ The time eectuay guarded the public Treasury
lie called upon Democrats % sustain and 70 in the
oa be about make for he did not the Wings 70
na'e I'll 'h honor e passing this lie demanded
tie previous question.
Nj HASKELL appealed to the gentlemsn 10 Withdraw his
demand Tor few moments TO allow him to make few very
nrIei Suggestions which he thought would he difficult
ties under which gentlemen bored with reference 10 this m