Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-02-09
cademy, and for The improvement, OF rivers in

Academy, and tor The improvement OF rivers in
lha, Stale.
MIR. Dix, from The ommltee on commerce, re-
ported, with amendments, and accompanied by
report, House bill OF The last session, for The
repair and completion OF works on rivers and
harbors already commenced or completed, and
for surveys OF certain other rivers and harbors.
The re port accompanying the bill was read BY
| Mr.. Dix. and s,a:ci that the committee had re-
commended n . adoption Of rule 10 prevent he
abuse ot The power under which such appropria-
lions ire made. Their object had been 10 lie.
wise some mode by which appropriations for uD-
worthy objects might be avoided.
The bill embraces almost every character Of
Improvements, and involves almost every prn
ciple discussed, in connexion with Inc subject Of
harbor ahd river Improvements.
The committee had, therefore, deemet II more
practicable 10 keep those appropriations Tor pre-
posed works separate from those Tor works which
have already been surveyed, commenced, or CON-
pleted, and had divided them into Two classes
| LIST. appropriations for works commenced or COM
pleled, so that they shall only be applied Tor their
preservation and repair; 81, those which have not
been surveyed or commenced, and providing also
that every such appropriation shall be made by
separate bill.
There are twcnty-cisht Of ne latter in the bill
reported at last session, which has now b.A
mace 10 CONFORM 10 INC Iuit pioPoscuI ~ 'Hdl cf
| cry application shall rest on its own merits. BY
this course the several appropriations would re.
ceive all necessary constitutional SANCTION but in
different manner; and The objections OF al, ex-
cept those who deny that any constitutional pow
er exists in the general government 10 make such
| Improvements, would probably be removed.
The bill, or several bills having been read with
the report, were ordered 10 be printed.
Mr. Walker offered resolution, declaring
that is expeient 10 cede 10 the STATES respective
ly the public lands therein, condiiionaly that they
shall be disposed OF 10 actual settlers, in limited
portions, a, the cos' oil transfer. Lies over.
Mr.. Benton asked leave 10 introduce the bill OF
which he had given previous notice, ior Nation
al Central Road rom 81 Louis TO San francisco
on the Pacific, with a branch 10 the Columbia
river in Oregon; and proceeded TO address The Sc
nate, al length, in explanation and support OF The
project. Such work, he contended, should De
entirely OF national character, and should not
in any way be placed in the hands or under The
control OF Individuals, for STOCK Iobbing purposes
H went Tor a national his hway, and especial
ly against all schemes of an Individual character
for The benefit OF stock johbers or heirs and as
signs. He went for eentral highway, because
il was the most natural, and for The benett oil the
whole public.
He was therefore in favor OF Central M
tional Highway 10 the Pacific, with branch TO
Oregon, Tor all which the bill rrovides-by
lire which will accommodate all the Western
States, and The greatest number OF The population
OF the country.
When this great Nationa! Central Railroad had
been completed 10 ST. Louis il might De said 10
be also completed 10 New York-enIirely across
the conlinent-lo. there would only be small
gap TO fill up.
When Mr.. Benton mad concluded, leave TO in
tro,uce his bill was granted and it was twice read
and recnel 10 The military committee.
Mr.. Berren gave notice OF his intention 10 IN
lroduce bill further 10 provide Tor the widows
and ophans OF officers non-commssoned officers,
musicians aid privateS, who have or may die OF
diseases contracted during their service in the
war with Mexico.
On motion OF Mr.. Anterior, the bill making
appropriations for revolutionary and other pen
sions, and The bill Tor the support OF the Military
AGA .emy were taken up, considered, read The
third time and passed.
On motion of MIR Butler, the Senate then wen,
inlo executive session, and subsequently adjourn.
ed
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The resolution from the Senate, providing Tor
The opening and counting, on Wednesday next.
Of The woes for President AMI Wee President,
was taken UP and concune'i in.
Several other proposition having been made,
Mr. Burr insisted upon The regular order OF bu-
>iness which was the motion pending when The
House yesterday adjourned, 10 allow MIR.
Schenck 10 proceed with his remarks on his mo
lion 10 reconsider the vote by which The tile 10
he naval appropriation bill was adopted.
Mr.. Schenck was allowed 10 proceed in Order
when he stated that he would reserve what he
intended 10 say On the merits oil the bill until
some other occasion, when grealer latitude
would be allowed him. He accordingly moved
10 lay his own motion on ne table, and So The
bill sianls passed as entitled.
MI. J. Il lngersoll, from the Judiciary com
mtee, reported back Senate bill 10 provide for the
better organization OF the District Conn Of The
Uned Staies for Louisiana, with an amend.
mem. Alter deble. by Messrs. Fickin. y. d.
Smih Morse and kaufman, without action on
the bill or amendment,
On motion the House wen, into committee OF
the whole on ihe STATE Of the Union, Mr.. Moore
head in the chair, and took up the annual FORTH
cation bill.
Mr.. Preston, OF Virginia, addressed The com
miiee at length on the territorial question, sta
ting at The outset that he Intended, al the proper
time, 10 introduce bill Tor the admission 0. Cal.
iornia as State, as subsi for the IerriIori-
al bill reported by Mr.. G.. B. Smith.
Mr.. Brown, Of Pennsy iyahia followed and con
cluded his remarks, on The same sutlpci, com.
menced the other day when he naval appropri-
alton bill was under consideration.
When MIR Brown had concluded, Mr. billiard
obtained the door. and on motion OF Mr.. Thomp
son, Of Pennsylvania, The committee rose, and
The House adjourned.