The republic., 1850-12-06
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

And them on motion, the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The following named gentlemen, in addition to
those heretofore mentioned appeared to-day for the
first time this session, VIZ:
Mr. HAMILTON, of Mary land.
Messrs. ORR and WOODWARD, Of South Carolina.
MIR FEArHERsToN, of Mississippi, and
Messrs. HARMS and RIcHARpsos, of Illinois.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
After prayer by the Rev. c. NJ BUTLER,
Mr. JONES offered the following resolution,
which was agreed to, viz:
Resoiued That the standing committees of this
House be appointed by the Speaker, according TO
the rules and orders of the same.
Mr. JONES then moved that when this House
adjourn il adjourn TO meet Monday next, for the
purpose of atording the Speaker an opportunity to
appoint the committees under the resolution just
adopted and the motion was agreed to-
BOUNTY LAND ACT
MIR ROBINSON asked the unanimous consent of
the House 10 offer the following resolution, and
pressed the hope that nc would be INDUCED in three
or four minutes explanation.
Resolrcd, That a select committee OF - mem
bcrs be appointed, TO take into consideration the
"act granting bounty lands To certain officers and
soldiers who have been engaged In the military
service of the United Staes," passed September
%, $780, and TO report to this House, by bill or 9TH
erwise what further legislatian, if any, is neces
sary TO ensure Its execution in reasonable length
of time; whether the existing regulations adopted
by the Commissioner OF Pensions are In pursuance
of the spirit of the law what length of time, under
said regulations, II will probably require TO exc
cute the same; whether additional iorce
ought 10 be employed; and in order to the COM
plete and full investigation of the whole subject;
that they have power ~ send for persons and pa
pers, II necessary.
Mr.. ROBINSON said that he would dctain the
House but few moments. Since his arrival
In Washington, at the commencement Of the
present session, being specially interested, and
having a number of applications In his charge,
he had taken the trouble TO inves gate this matter
10 some extent; aud the conclusion to which he
had arrived this that, unless they legislated
speedily with reference to this subject there was
no probability OF the law being executed within
any reasonable length Of time. There were, he
had been informed, twenty thousand applications
file in the Pension Office, and of these not
ouer twelve thirteen hundred have even been
registered. After they registered they have TO
be sent TO the office OF the Third Auditor, that he
nsy examine the rolls TO zee whether the dcclara-
tions correspond with them. He had been informed
by the Third Auditor that the largest number
which could be examined in a single day wac six
teen eighteen. At this rate, it would
cupy four five years 70 examine those now
file and, according to the Secretary Of
the Interior, not tenth Of the applications have
been filed; and he thinks that the entire number
will reach two hundred and fifty thousand. IL was
far from his purpose to censure any officer who is
charged with the execution of this law. His object
ascertain what difficulties lie in the path in
order that they may be removed as soon possible.
According to present circumstances, the law could
not be finally executed in ten or fifteen years; and
gentlemen might well repeal II at once, unless
they provide the ways and means TO remedy pre-
sent difficulties. BY the time this law
cuted he hoped To see all who desire TO settle pro-
Vidcd with donations Of land. He thought how
ever, that If the House would raise a committee TO
visit this bureau themselves, they would be able TO
bring forward a measure 10 remedy the evils Of
which be complained. So far additional force
is concerned, II the same regulations which now
exist shall continue, bot very small number Of
clerks can be prohtably employed. there was but
tffr and Hrf Iv
anime at the same time. Thocopies ought 70 be mul
tiplied that the examination may progress more
rapidly.
There was another regulation which seemed to
him 70 be improper; and, II they could not get rid
Of il in any other manner, they must egislate IL
away. A soldier might file his declaration and the
original certificate Of discharge, (ststing the par
Cuiars,) yet the regulation required that the de-
claration should be compared win the roll; and this
occasiOned considerable and unnecessary delay
Prior 10 the neIican bounty land law this regu-
latiOn did not exist What better evidence
wanting than she original certificate itself Why
20 back % the role
Another regulation has been adopted, which
will cut of a most fneritorOus class Of persons, who
otherwise would be benefited by this law. The Sec
retary of the Interior has made regulation requir
ing that where service was performed subsequent to
I7S0 and prior TO 1872 the applicant must prove his
service by creditsble Witnesses; therefore the old
soldicrs Tho served under Wayne, St. Clair, aud
Harmer, would get nothing, az not one in five Of
them could be found over this broad land 10 give
the required proof lie had dozen such cascs him
self, Uhcre men who doubtless performed military
service under General jackson, could not, in a sin
Elc instance, procure living proof lie would take
tnc oath oi the soldier himsclf, accompanied by
prooi az 10 biz credibity; and this all that be
would require. lie complained that three months
viii have elapsed before the execution Of the bounty
land law viii commence
Mr.. WHITE proposed to amend by substituting
for "a select committee" in the resolution ssthe
Committee on Military Adairs," j." and 10 strike out
the words with power to send for pcrsOns and pa
pers." II entirely unnecessary 70 refer the
subject ~ sselect committee, while the gentleman
merely proposed 10 change one two words Of the
law.
the Interior had proposed n remedy-tbat there be
nm addition Of two clerks at fifteen hundred dol.
lars each per annum, all that is necessary 10 ia
cilitstc the business.
Mr. ROBINSON remarked that the gentleman
from Delaware (Mr. HoUsToN) and the gentleman
taken with regard 10 the difficulties which he
wished 10 get out Of the path The Secretary Of the
Interior, it is true. take about two additional
clerks, but he says not word about the Third Au-
diior's Office, where mainly all the difficulties lie.
1Or all the applications 60 there. change OF one
or two words in the law would benefit M one No
gentleman could make correct report without er
am ition at the bureau.
Mr. HOUSTON resumed. lie was not particu-
lary opposed 10 the resolution Of the gentleman
from Indiana Tut he had though proper 70 call the
attention Of the House 20 the fact that the Secretary
Of the Interior had proposed remedy for the evil
Of which the gentleman complained. With regard
10 delay in the execution Of the law, he apprehend.
Cd that no RentlemaD--not even the most ardent
frend Of the bil-anticipatcd that il would 60 into
operation In less than three months. As TO the sol
diers WIN scrved under general Wayne, he was
not in favor VI the remedy or the legislation pro-
posed by the gentleman from Indiana. We re-