The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-03-29

PENSION LAWS
Mr. COOKE moved a reconsideration OF the resolution
submitted yesterday by the gentleman from kentucky
mir GAINEs,l and which is as follows. VIZ;
Rssoped That select committee be appointed, whose
duty shall inquire into the expediency OF extending
the the OF Congress Tor The benefit of the
passed on the 7h Of June 1882 embrace those who
were engaged the of the United States which Sc
1885, and the treaty OF Greenvile with the Indians 1885,
and that said committee have leave to report by bill
Mr.. c. said that the matter proposed be referred to
n select committee properly belonged to the Committee
on Revolutionary Pensions.
Mr.. GAINES opposed the reconsideration. He was
not aware that there was any standing committee of the
House having cognzance Of this natter if there was
the select committee authorized BY the resolution could
make their reports and when the subject then
before the House, such action could be taken would
seem appropriate In the case.
Mr. STUART, of Michigan, opposed to the
sideraton entirely There great display OF patriotic
feeling the other day the question OF extending the
pension law for the benefit OF lady in Massachusetts,
and that discussion led to the reference of the subject
committee of the House. He was then, and now in ia
vor OF extending this privilege OF pension He could
then, nor now, see any propnety in limiting to ind
viduals who happen to have been married prior to
tain day
Mr.. COOKE (Mr. S. yieldng) further explained the
object of his motion. ga
MIR. STUART was far from desiring to cast the
slightest mrutaton of dsespect towards the Committee
on Revolutionary Pensions, to express the slightest
dsapprobaon OF their course by referring this subject to
select committee Every gentleman had the right he
considered at all times to entertain and express his
opinions What he desired by this resolution was get
the subject before committee favorable to the PROPOSE
ton But after further explanation with the chairman of
the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions MIR. Cooke ]
by which was understood that that committee haa the
subject in charge and was likely to report favorably,
Mr.. s. withdrew his opposition to the reconsideration
Mr.. PALFREY said he could not agree, BY his sileace
express implied the doctrine that the refer
of subject TO select committee implies disrespect
TO the standing committee on that subject 1t might be
that for satisfactory to themselves the standing
Ia I'd
the reference OF the matter TO select committee should
imply discourtesy He desired to express his entire
concurrence in this sentiment just expressed BY the
TO assert the right OF members to have their propositions
submitted 10 committees such might be expected to
port favorably He desired to mark this expression,
connection with the practice of the House to refer GER
tain class of subjects committee known be unfa-
vorable and hostile TO them.
MIR. DUER showed that it was not worth while, in all
cases. to refer subject to committee favorable, for
committee might be instructed to bring in bill against
their judgments but in the present case standing COM
mittee OF the House has the particular subject in charge
and it was understood that they considering it.
Under such circumstances it would to his mind to
be discoureous take the subject of their ursdc
,on 1t struck him. at the time when the resolution was
passed yesterday, that it adopted without adequate
attention; But he principally for the purpose of
moving the previous question
Which motion was seconded and, under its operation
the reconsideration was effected.
On motion by Mr. COOKE, the resolution was then
RAILROAD TO OREGON
Mr. POLLOCK; BY unanimous consents presented the
OF asa IN reiatoh TO MS plan i9r con-
referred to special committee
OREGON TERRITORIAL BILL
Mr.. WENTWORTH called for the special order of the
aayhe bill to establish the Territorial government Of
Oregon
The SPEAKER said that the special order was the
Oregon bill; which being in Committee of the Whole
House on the state OF the Union motion to 60 into
Mr. ]. R. iNGERSoIL expressed the hope that the
committees wenld be called for reports.
Mr.. c; B. SMITH, from the Committee Territories,
moved the postponement of the special order for
week; Which hs.6r motion was disagreed TO-
self into Committee of the Whole the state of the
Union; which motion. on division, was agreed to
ayes "a, noes 81.
The House accordingly resolved itself into Committee
of the Whole on the state of the Union, M T. B. KIEo
in the char and proceeded the consideration Of the
Oregon Territorial bill which was read
Mr.. WICK moved to amend the first section of the bill
by inserting the words (which lies north of the AID de-
gree Of north latitude SO as to read he territory Of
Rocky mountains, and north OF the AID, &c." which
amendment was agreed to.
Mr.. GAYLE moved to amend the bill, by striking out
the first section He took the Clerks desk, and spoke at
length on the subject during much confusion and dsor
der in which his words were lost He said that if the
committee would give him their attention, he would be
able to say what he proposed to say in quarter OF an
hour: He spoke OF the innovations the constitution
which had resulted from party spirit.
Among other extraordinary executive innovations, il
had been sought to confer the President the power to
make 1t fact, too, that these usurpations
advocated by that party which claims to be the pc
cuar champions OF the constitution. Mr.. G then pro-
ceedd 10 discuss and declare the powers of Congress
with reference to the establishment OF territorial govern
ment laying down the position that Congress could not
legsate for the people of any Territory in the United
States and referring 10 the construction of Mr. Madison
with reference to the express, implied and incidental
powers conferred upon Congress by the constitution
He referred to the Wilmot Proviso of chloo-
form dose to the north, and introduced in this bill for the
purpose of rendering acceptable TO that quarter He
proceeded with constitutional argument to show that il
not the intention Of the trainers of the constitution
confer Congress the right to govern Territories In
ation TO the District of Columbia, it provided
pressly that Congress should have exclusive jurisdiction:
only the power to make needu rules and regulations for
the disposition Of public ands and from this could not
be inferred power to legslate for Territories
Mr.. SMART next obtained the floor and said in sub.
stance that as this matter involved the question of free
territory, he desired to express his opinion freely Look
ing to his constituents Tor his gude he referred 10 reso
utons of the Legislature of the State of Maine passed at
their last session; which he read-said resolutions acoui-
escng in the constitutional provision favor of slavery
but resisting it's extension and adherng to the principle
of the ordinance of 1887 He some account of
the origin of these resolutions show that though there
was some rreguarity and informaly about them thew
ought be regarded the mind of the people of his
State. Had right to extend the ordinance of 1887
which asserted the power of Congress to egsate for
Terrories In opposition the argument of the gentle
man from Alabama, [Mr GAYLE he csntended that the
principle of the ordinance might be extended other
Territories This ordinance established before the adop
non OF the constitution, and recognised Immediately