Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-04-16

Jay this subject temporarily on the table, do not be-
eve this deficiency bill will take over an hour or two to
dispose OF it, and the object of the Senator may be
talnedby taking up the subject afterwards. would not
press this bill if did not consider it matter of public
duty. There are many old pensioners in town now,
waiting Tor their money and they cannot get away until
this bill is passed 1t can be taken up and passed in an
hour and therefore move to lay the pending subject on
the table.
Mr. CLAY. The Senator would oblige me il he would
withdraw his proposition for moment desire to make
suggestion which, trust will secure the approval of
majority OF the Senate.
Mr. Dickinson. l will withdraw it once more Nv
patience is not yetexhausted.
Mr. CLAY Mr.. President, we are all DESTROYS of ar
irving practical results, and OF arriving those results
with as little prolongaton of the unfortunate delay which
has already occurred as may be possible. Now sir al
low me to make suggestion to those who are opposing
the appointment OF this committee, with which really
think if doubt the case, they are DESTROYS Of
reaching practical results, they will be disposed to COM
ply. On the one hand those who wish for the ap-
pointment of the committee; on the other those who
wish to supersede the committee, and take up forthwith
the California bill Now, what suggest is this that we
shall proceed to the appointment OF the committee; and
on that subject sir allow me to say, in the first place.
that il no good, harm come from it. But be-
eve that good will result from not to the extent per-
haps, that othersimagne. report from such commit
tee as IS contemplated to be appointed speak not of
the individual who addresses you for though shall sub
NIT to what the Senate may determine, yet l should as
iet be off as on twill be productive Of much good
do believe that Such committee should take up the
subject IN comprehensive point of.view, and make
report upon the bills which before the Senate
SUCH for example, the California bill the territorial
bill, the fugitive slave bll-makng upon each subject
such recommendations may appear to the committee
proper and useful and presenting, at the same time
amendments Such amendments may be Indispensable
AS to this California bill, if pass it, they are indispen
sable tor, the California bill is passed in the shape in
which i now is, it is Remuneration of all the public do
main of the United States lying within the limits of Ca
llforna. This committee, repeat making suggestions
and recommendations and exhibiting general plan for
settlement all thpea rouhloc
which now annoy and aflct us, and presenting to the
country in one collective yew as to each and every
subject reporting for example, what think ought to be
donea bill for the abolition of the slave trade in this
District, and adopting, if you please, the law of Mary
land which prevails that subject, and reporting other
bills and amendments where necessary and where they
are not recommending course OF action for the Sc
nate do believe that such report coming from
committee constituted OF thirteen members of this BODY
will be attended with very advantageous and beneficial
results to the country. Now, may go on from day
to day and week to week, in this struggle to avoid
committee, and in the attempt to take up the California
bill, and will result in nothing but delay Sooner or
later we must arrive at the question whether we will or
will not unite the California and Territorial bills; for
tor one, 1t nobody else does mean to propose as an
amendment to it the territorial bill IF the majority
against me, be SO; it the majority is with me, sup
pose that submission to the decision of the majority in
my favor, will be acqulesced in by the opposing party
with the same promptitude and cheerfuness with which
shall acquiesce IN the decision of majority contrary
to my views So that nothing gained by the rejection
OF the committee proposed to be notwithstanding
whatever motion to strike out the territorial part oil
the proposition, and leaving California stand alone,
would elicit majority on the side the otler so that
nothing is obtained by having the California bill reported
separately. The union or n-unon OF the bills is
proposition from which there is no escape-no evasion
pledge myself, if my life is spared, il no other Sena-
tor moves it, to move, when the California bill is taken
up, the addition OF the territorial bill l will not now
into the consideration of the proprety this unon
for have done that heretofore, and will do hereafter
and will show additional conservative considerations
w, ia 10
gether believe that nothing but great and useless
waste of time will result from this Improbable struggle
to avoid the committee And gentlemen will permit me
say that if it is avoided, is but for the day or the
moment only, for there six or seven Senators now
absent who when present and united with the twenty
eight who voted yesterday, will constitute majority
OF thirtyhree thirty five Senators of the body and
you cannot therefore escape the committee, the at
| tempt to unite the two bills
Why then waste time in this useless contest, whether
the committee shall be appointed to-day or to- morrow
or whether the California bill shall be taken up today
or tomorrow! The proposition wish to submit to the
Senate, and especially to the Senator from Missouri is
whether it isnot better to waive all mpediments to the
| constitution OF the committee? Let it be raised Let
the California bill be taken up Monday after the de-
ciency bill shall be acted on and let the committee be
celebrating, when the Senate is not in session. on the
various topics committed to their care and make such
report they shall determine without at all arrestpp
the progress OF the discussion upon other OF the
measures. submit to the Senate and especially to the
Senator from Missouri, if this is the best course to
pursue
Mr.. BENTON. That, sir, is the right way That is q
tar, OPEN manly proposition, and will produce fair
test in reference to the conjunction or separation these
SUBJECTS linen every Senator will be oil the com
mittee which will act in the and when the bill is
referred to the committee of the whole Senate that
committee cannot be less competent because adds the
remainder ofhe members of this body the thirteen
the number OF which it proposed the select committee
shall consist Sir, that the right way, That exact
ly what proposed yesterday in the course of the
marks that made in reply to the Senator from Massa
chuSettS n eat cr hot,
offering amendments here in open Senate and having
them brought in by committee. The method proposed
by the Senator from Kentucky is the right one, and
hope that the Senate will pursue that course If the
conjunction OF subjects be made by the Senate shall
of course acquesce; shall offer no further resistance
but not SO ii made by the committee This sir, the
proper course 1t Is certainly the fair parliamentary
course 1t Is In accordance with parliamentary practice
And now, sir wish say to the Senate in relation TO
this subect-for wish that every thing that contem-
plate doing shall be known beforehand in certain
event there may be some amendments, which shall
have to offer. have nine amendments sir now drawn
up and how many more shall have occasion TO pre-
pare, this deponen saith not for he doth not know but
there are nine at present. which do know Of for have
already drawn them up.
A SENATOR. Let them be read
The VICE PRESIDENT. Is the reading called for?
Mr.. BENTON. ask nothing, sir and object to moth
The amendments were read by the Secretary as fol-
lows:
!, With instructions, that in any bill scheme. or
other measure or measures they may report they shall
not connect the admission of the State of California
with any other proposed legislation which shall reoure
the assent OF any other State to its completion.
2. That they shall not the Admission of the
State OF California with any measure which is connec
ted with question Of boundary or other controversy
with any other State.
g. That they shall not connect the admission of the
State OF California with any other measures of less
dignity than the reception and admission of So
verign State to be a new and entire member of this
Union.
A. That they shall notmake California party or in
any way include connect her with any provision in
the or intent ola compact relating 10 slavery or
to any slave State slave Territory other than the
compacts Of the Cons tituton.