The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-20
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

journed.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
! II was the motion Of Mr. NELSON, that the
House agreed on Monday that the daily hour OF
meeting, until otherwise ordered shall be eleven
| O'clock
MIR. CABELL. of Florida IN pursuance of pre-
vous notice, asked leave 10 introduce a bill grant
| ing, on certain conditions, alternate sections OF
the public lands along the route Of the railroad
! from Pensacola, Florida to Montgomery, Alabama.
Objection was made.
GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL
! Mr.. BAYLY, from the Committee of Ways and
Means, reported bill making appropriation for
the civil and diplomatic expenses of the Govern
nlcnt for the year ending June 80, 1851. To avoid
cavil he desired to state that the amendments and
additions 50 numerous, that it would be ne
ccssary that he should perfect it.
On his motion il was referred TO the Committee
the Whole OH the state OF the Union and ordered
to be printed.
LAND BouNTIEs.
MIR. MASON asked leave to introduce resolu-
ton, that the debate the bill giving bounty lands
To all soldiers who have not heretofore been pro-
vided for, shall cease in two hours after It shall
have been considered in committee.
MIR. THOMPSON Of Mississippi, raised IA ques
ton of ORDER that the resolution could not be intro
duced now, the subject has not yet been taken
up in Committee.
Mr. MASON moved that the House resolve itself
into Committee of the Whole the state of the
Union for the purpose OF proceeding with the con-
sderation OF the special order. lie made the mo-
ton, because gentlemen got up useless and un-
profitable debate yesterday, and Tor that reason to-
| day may be similarly wasted.
| Mr.. WENTWORTH inquired whether, if the
House go into committee, this bill would take pre-
| cedencc of that for the admission OF California
| The SPEAKER replied that the special order
/ would take precedence.
! Mr.. WENTWORTH asked whether, if the bill
should not be disposed Of to-day, its consideration
would be continued to the exclusion of the Califor
MIA bilR
The SPEAKER replied that it would
The question was then taken, and the House re-
solved itself into Committee of the Whole on the
state of the Union, MIR. RICHARDSON in the chair
and proceeded TO the consideration of the special
order, being the bill heretofore reported by MIR.
CoBB, of Alabama, entitled ga bill providing with
bounty lands) for soldiers of the of 1872, l3,
IA, and 10, with Great Britain; the Indian wars
of 1911; tue Florida (Scminolean) war OF 1885, go,
&c; and the war known as General Waynes, OF
1892 to 1895, that have heretofore been provided
for
The bill having been read.
MIR. COBB, Of Alabama said that he would not
consume the time of the committee TO make an
hours speech, for the proposition was plain that
every sensible the floor must understand
it, He remarked that bounties To those mentioned
in the bill should have been given years ago,
MIR. ALBERTSON gave notice of an amendment
which he designed to offer.
Mr.. MASON Chat gentleman yielding the hoor)
moved that the committee rise, Ill order that res
olution might be introduced to terminate the de-
bate In two hours.
Mr. VINTON said that this was one Of the most
| important bills known to this House, and
would have more permanent influence on the oPe-
| rations of the government and the treasury than
any measure which has been passed for the last ff-
teen years He hoped that the bill would be fully
discussed, that it might be well understood.
Mr.. MASON said, in reply TO MIR. VINTos, that
| this subject had been before the House for five
months. He doubted whether members would
change their minds should there be long discus
sion. Those who do not speak, have the capacity
| TO Judge.
| wish of the country that bill of this character
shall be passed. and he hoped that it will pass dur
ing this Congress. He had received letter after
letter the subject and there question
which more interested the people than this.
| Mr.. EVANS, OF Maryland, opposed the bill, for
| the reasons, among others, that the public lands
arc pledged to the redemption OF the public debt
and that bounty lands have never been given after
the military service has been rendered.
Mr.. HUBBARD in favor of the principle o
the bill, and gave notice of amendment which
| he intended to offer.
Mr.. SACKETT opposed the bill, ON the ground
mainly, that those who fought in the wars entered
into contract 10 do certain service for certain
compensation; and he showed the very large amour
OF lands which would be given away, should thu
bill be passed.
Mr.. PRESTON KING desired his colleague t
give way that he might move that the COMMITTEES
rise aud resolution be offered to terminate tn
debate. IL was important to dispose Of the Califor
MIA bill, which has BEEN before Congress for hv'
months.
Mr.. JONES said that the gentleman could no
give way for the California bill or any other mea
sure.
Mr. SACKETT concluded his remarks, and
Mr. MCDONALD advocated the bill, and sale
that he stood ready support il 10 the fullest exten
of what he believed just
Mr.. VINTON discussed the question in its finan
cial aspect. IL was bill virtually for the benefi
Of spectators; and If the public lands be giver
away, nothing will be left but the customs, from
xyh IN reye he whole
worth thousand millions and the effect OF the bill
would dispense with this amount Of money. Pas
the bill and in hive years the tariff will have to b.
increased, direct taxes, excise duties, resort
ed to.
Mr. BlSSELL said that the true interests an,
best policy OF the country were indicated in thi
bill. He asserted a fact that it has been shown
that all the lands which the Government has dis
posed Of in all the various modes, has not neteC
seventeen cents an acre Hereafter, they will no
nett five cents The Government ough
not 20 hold its lands 10 replenish its treasury Tn
true policy was 10 open all of them TO settlement
The effect Of the passage Of the bill, he said il
reply 10 Mr.. NISToS. could not diminish the re
ceipts Of the treasury TO the amount Of half mil
Mr. HOLMES opposed the bill, saying that thu
public lands have been pledged for the redemption
of the public debt, and cannot in good faith be thu
disposed Of The Wlmot proviso was ~ be forcee
on the country to cheat one section for the bcnef
Of the other; and this proposition is 10 cheat all thu
States fer the benefit OF few SPECTATORS.
Mr.. EWING advocated the passage of the bill
The driblets OF from the sales of the lane
we're nothing 20 be compared TO tho income which
would accrue from commerce were the publ,
lands moro freely opened TO settlement. He an
swcred many Of the objections which were urgeC
against the measure, and denied that the public
lands, by the act Of lS47 we're pledged to the pay
ment Of the national debt. The proceeds arising
from the sales only were pledged
Mr. MOORE said he should oppose the bif To-
the reasons advanced by the gentleman from Ma
ryland, (Mr. EvAss,) and the gentleman froU
DINO, (Mr. VISTos.) He then spoke in favor o
giving the public lands Of this country to owl
citizens, and 70 suoh aliens and foreigners VIII,
among US, and arc ready To become citizens.
Mr. HARRISON obtained the floor, when th,
committee rose.
Mr. MASON oIered a Revolutionary close the dc
bate ON the bill which had been under considera
ton, at one O'Clock ". morrow.
Mr.. JONES moved 10 lay tho resolution on thu
table. Pending which motion,
On motion Of Mr.. HOLMES, the House adjourned
The following papers were presented under ID,
rule, viz:
Rv Mr. HOWE. The nctition Of William Gate,