The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-03-11
CONGRESSIONAL.
DEFERRED DEBATE.
liz SENArE-W Wednesday, february %, 1919.
Evening Session.


MIR BADGER moved an adjournment, in consequence
of defect the apparatus for lighting the chamber,
by which the Senate left in almost total darkness
which moton,s however. was Withdrawn Tor moment at
the request OF
Mr. 'BERRIEN, who said: | am perfectly disposed to
do whatever most agreeable to the Senate; but are
in position in which there imperative duty the
country deyolving upon us TO proceed to prompt de-
cision upon the bill which is before quite salts
fed if another day be spent in the discussion OF tins
amendment, and This bill should not be sent 10 the
House until day after tomorrow, that Its failure will
be the consequence | cannot look to the condition
of the country and the responsibilities which shall
bring upon ourselves by such course, without appre-
tension therefore feel my duty TO aid the chairman
of the Committee Finance in the effort which he has
assduousy and zeaously put forth, and think with
so much proprey, to bring to decision this important
bill | do invoke the Senate not to separate tonight
without bringing this matter TO close, SO as 10 let the
bill go TO the other House.
MI DICKINSON (who held the floor on the general
appropriation billy said have not desired any adjourn
ment. regret exceedingly that feel called upon TO ad-
dress the Senate at ALL and by that means delay action
upon this bill am ready to speak whenever the Senate
is ready to hear me.
Mr. BERRIEN suggested TO the senator from New
York whether the Senate might not pass this par
cuar topic, and proceed 10 act upon the other amend
ments leaving this for consideration TO morrow morning
MIR. ATCHlsON conquered with the remarks OF the
senator from Georgia. Unless the final vote was taken
upon this bill tonight in his opinion the bill was lost
They had no time for idle discussion they had little
time for grave discussion upon the matter 1t was well
known to the Senate that it was occupy
day of the remainder of the session for the business of
executive session. He had postponed for three days
motion 10 go into executive session, and he would now
give notice thai after this evening he would, upon every
proper occasion, move an executive session.
! MIR. DICKINSON then addressed the Senate at length
upon the general question of slavery and in reply TO the
remarks made by his colleague LNlr DIX during the
morning session.
[AIr BIS speech will appear in few days.l
Mr. JOHNSON, OF Georgia, said ndispostion during
vented me, if had desired il from participating in the
discussions of this body. Nor do feel now that my
health justes me in attempting an elaborate calculation
of the position which occupy upon the questions which
have been discussed in this debsle. This fact, in con-
nexion with what know TO be the reasonable and just
mpaence OF the Senate, and the strong and unfayorabe
contrast which my poor effort must necessarily present to
the able speech which has just been delivered by the dis
tinguishcd senator from New York, mr. DIcKINsoN,]
impresses with the conviction that my words should
be few and that should unnecessarily the
time of the Senate But, Notwithstanding these consider
atoms, feel it duty which owe TO myself and 10 those
whom in part represent on this loor to present, very
briefly the views which | entertain upon some of the
topics which have been touched during the progress OF
this debate
No man feels more sensbly than do the Importance of
giving law and government to Pacific territories. The
considerations which render this necessity obvious so
apparent and have been deliberately discussed by those
who have preceded me, that deem It superluous to in
trude them at length upon the attention OF the Senate.
These territories have been acquired by the expend
ture of common blood and treasure, and their intrinsic
and relative value is beyond computation The richness
OF the gold mines OF California scarcely finds a parallel
in the history of the world They have been lmbedded
there for ages-sti accommodating by the washings from
the adjacent mountains. They have been given to the
arts oil civilization and commerce as the trophies OF
American valor. They have produced profound sensa-
ton-not here only, but throughout the civilized world.
They attracting, daily, thousands OF our enter
psng citizens, and also crowds from the ports OF Europe
and the islands OF the Pacific. All congregate there,
greedy to accumulate wealth, and TO appropriate, without
let or hindrance the public property for these mines are
be said in favor OF the right OF citizens to go
thher and dsnter their treasures will contend that
foreigners from the shores of Europe from South Amer
lea and the East India islands, should be permitted to in
dulge in their unrestrained plumber. 1t is incumbent,
therefore, upon Congress to adopt measures, and that
without delay TO protect the public property Of the United
our own people.
Ii is indispensable also that our revenue laws should
be enforced al all our ports on the Pacific. We have
already lost perhaps not less than quarter of million
for the want of regulations there for the collection OF
duties imports. Under wayehousing system, vast
quantities of imported goods remain in store at all our
ports OF entry upon which the importer is required
TO pay dulles until they taken out for sale and, if
he desires to reshp them to another port in the United
States ne has the privilege OF removing them wl'ho.
the payment of duties This regulation is wise and just
But nevertheless, since the discovery OF the gold mines
In California, and the vast emigration which it has pro-
duced immense Cagoes OF warehoused goods have been
removed, especially from Boston, New York, and Bat
more, and shipped to California, where, the revenue
laws not being enforced they entered free of duty
and to the great loss OF the government Our govern
ment is lii debt, and need all the which our
tariff system will yield This is strong for the
adoption of measure the present session of Con-
gress which will secure the execution OF our laws in
those remote territories
Nor is this all The location of these territories in
relation to the populous islands OF the Pacific, China
and the countries of the East clearly point to an almost
boundess commerce. TO be realized at distant day It'll
the duty OF wise and expansive craftsmanship to en-
courage early development of such commerce by the
enforcement OF wholesome laws, and the establishment
of such institutions, political and social as will give i'm
pulse TO the arts of civilization and refinement.
Nor can the duty be less imperative to protect en-
terprslng feowcitizens who have gone to California
against the violence and anarchy which must exist
wherever there Is no mode of furnishing the vicious the
dishonest, and awless The character of the population
there must necessarily be mixed, composed of Indians
half civilized Mexcans and foreigners from every cline
The occupation of mining, its history shows in all
ings OF our nature; it iDfames the baser passions and
without the restraints of law is the parent of every
wee known to the catalogue of crime We are, there.
lore, called upon by every consideration which should
influence the action of legislators to extend our laws
and throw over New Mexico and California our protect
ing Ggis. The necessity Tor such action is immediate
and urgent
What, them should be the character of the government
which we should give them The nature of the emer-
gency suggests what ought 10 be its principal feature Ii
musi combine energy with the capacity for its summary
exerton; and therefore, legislation should be such
as may be put INTO the most speedy and efficient opera
ton. The amendment under consideration does i'm
my Judgment combine these indispensable requisites IT.
extends Immediately such provisions OF the constitution
and laws oil the United States territory west of
The RIO Grande as are applicable its condition and me-
cessles 1t authorizes the President of the United States
ito prescribe and establish all proper and needul rules
ana IN conformity with the constitution OF
said territory, and for the preservation of order and tran
quty and the establishment al ius,ice