The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-06-21
In CONGRESS- OF THE U. STATES.
Thlrtieth Congrcss---First Session.
MONDAY, JUNE 10, 1s4s.
HQuSE M nEnn E q EMIT TUUES

| MT. AoHMUN stated that he had received letter
from the Speaker, stating would be improper for him
go out today but he hoped to be able to return to the
duties OF the char tomorrow or next day. according to
indications. Mr. A. proposed that the gentleman from
South Carolina MIR BURT be requested to act as Speaker
! Tor this day
This motion being seconded, the question taken,
and unanimously agreed TO.
Mr., BURT then conducted to the chair by the
Clerk
The journal Of yesterday being now read
Posr-RoUTE BILL.
Mr. GOGGIN called up the bill establishing sundry
post routes which had been postponed to this day to
wait Tor the printing and appearing that the printed
bill was not yet distributed, its consideration was still
further postponed until Tomorrow.
ALABAMA CLAIM FOR INTEREST ~.
Mr.. HOUSTON, of Alabama from the Committee of
Ways and Means, to which had been referred the bill
authorizing the payment OF interest upon advances made
by the State of Alabama for the United States govern
men in the suppression OF the Creek Indian hosites OF
lS36-37 reported the back to the House with
amendment; which was read
Mr.. IL. desired that, by unanimous consent, the bill
might S Be nov put upon its passage m bill d Mt
brace similar claims the part OF other States OF the
Union. He moved that the bill and amendment be re-
ferred to the Committee of the Whole the state of the
Union,
Mr.. HOUSTON, of Alabama. said the bill as orgi-
naly brought forward applied alone to the State of Ala
bama; but, by amendment which was made in the Sen
ate, upon motion of senator from Maryland it was
tended as to apply TO all Of the States which had made
advances IN the late with Great Britain The Commit
tee Of Ways and Means (of the House, were unani,
mously opposed to incorporating in this bill any general
provision bringing up all of the loans and advances made
by the various States to the government during the
of 1872
The most if not all of those States had received inter-
est their advances; but, every instance, without
exception-so far the committee could ascertainthe
interest paid under special enactment OF Congress,
Tor the particular State making the application. By
animation, it would be found that New York, New Jer-
sey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Maryland,
and he believed, every of the States that had ad-
VanCed loaned to- the United States.
had received interest for it. under special act IN each
| case.
estupon advance of 1922 900; and, If his mem
DRY had not failed him, he believed two acts had already
been passed for the benefit OF Maryland He did not IN
tend discuss the merits of the claim brought for
ward by Maryland. His object was to let each case
stand or fall upon its own merits. Alabama needed no
prop IN this matter further than fairness and justice re-
quired from her sister States. Her claim just one,
and all she wanted was, that it should be adjudcated-
that Congress should now hear it. her case, the facts
were before the House There could be fear of legs-
latng in the dark. Her very fully made out,
and all she wanted Congress to do was to hear It, Such
had been the universal and uninterrupted practice OF
Congress heretofore with the other States and he asked
Narytand's claim She had presented facts
Her f any she have) not made out and was
unfair Tor her to attempt to asen IT to clear and
emnenty just and deserving OF the speedy action OF
Congress was that of Alabama.
| In 1926 Maryland was allowed her interest. She
in that year had two settlements, partial settle
mens, with this government for interest-the last one
in December OF that year-more than ten years after the
close of the war; and if greater then due to
her, why did she not then collect it, why did she not
bring in her claim for it, why did she not demand 1t
We were bound to presume that she received at that time
all she claimed. Her settlement was of record Again :
has been than the third of century since the ad
vance made upon which she now claims interest
and almost quarter OF a century since her settlement
with this government was made for interest upon her ad
vances. And he would like to know why she had so
long slept upon her rights Did she not know, when
she made her other settlements that her present claim
ne he IA hppn hp nm or npp
ed so long! Can the gentleman from Maryland point to
any bill proposition which any of Maryland's repre-
senatives had brought forward for it? If so, he would
like to it. 1t only brought forward in this instance
amendment to the bill for the benefit of Alabama
underwent no supervision or examination OF any COM
mtee of the Senate as he understood it. 1t had been
unanimously rejected by the Committee of Ways and
Means of this House, and now he put il to the gentle
man from Maryland, whether Alabama was to be en-
barrassed and her bill defeated because unfortunately
claim in the same b5 He hoped not He appealed to
the representatives of Maryland to let their stand
upon its own merits it out by collecting and pre-
sentng to Congress the factse Congress and know
whether il is just unjust; but do not delay or defeat
Alabama, because your own claim is not ready to be
heard, or your is not made out AS he had been
able to understand the claim OF Maryland, was not
claim for interest in truth or an item advanced or loaned
to the United States, and which had not been taken into
the account in her former settlement with this govern
ment but effort to open the former settlement
and calculate interest upon different principle than the
adopted in the first settlement, and in that way in
crease the amount He had made these remarks not with
to show that Maryland's claim unjust, that
it should not be allowed but for the purpose of showing
that it in condition to be acted upon by
Congressional it contested, disputed caim-and
if persisted ln amendment to this BILL that 1t would
inevitably defeat it, for the present at least The claim
OF Alabama not disputed Its justice and the neces
sty of its speedy payment had been acknowledged by
unanimous report of the Finance Committee of the Sen
ate well its unanimous passage through that body
The same true in regard to 1t in the Committee OF
Ways and Means of this House. That committee had
not only stricken out the claim of Maryland without
dissenting voice. but it had also unanimously agreed to
the CLAIM of Alabama, and authorized him to ask the
House to pass forthwith without any other reference
OF it to any other committee
| Mr.. GENTRY asked the gentleman from Alabama
Mr. HoUsToNl if he did not perceive that he was fur
nshng argument which goes concusvely to show
the propriey OF referring this matter to the Committee OF
the Whole on the state of the Union, could alone
be discussed He asked gentlemen who were interested
in this matter 10 allow it TO be referred, and to reserve all
discussion for the Committee of the Whole the state
OF the Union, where they could make their exposition OF
facts and submit their arguments.
Mr.. AS1MUN inquired if this bill did not make ap-
preparation!
| Mr.. HOUSTON replied that it did
Mr. ASHMUN then inquired if it must not necessarily
go to the Committee of the Whole on the state of the
Union?
The SPEAKER (pro tenn said it must, unless the
House should suspend the rules, or by unanimous con-
sent allow the bill to be put upon its passage.
Mr.. HOUSTON, in the course OF some further exPana-
TONS SAID he thought if gentlemen were acquainted with
| the facts they would not resist his application
| Mr. ASHMUN must still insist on his point of order
not because he wished TO prejudice the bill for he had
no doubt had merits but the l33d rule OF the House
Iqued that all proceedings touching appropriations OF
money shall be first discussed IN Committee OF the
| Whole