The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-10

Then, MIR President, there are two points What are
the obecnons them 10 their being divided The senator
out the trst the last will have nothing to apply to il
VIII be nonsense, and II adopted by the Senate will stand
distinct, unsupported unnteigble proposition Very
well, SIR see nothing in this rule that prevents the
Senate from doing what nonsensica Ii is said that if
we reject the first part of this amendment and adopt the
latter part we shall make the bill absurd and contradc-
tory. Well, we have night to make our bills non.
senscal as we please We have right to make them as
absurd and contradictory please. Laughter I
comes with an ill grace i have been member of this
bodyfor several sessions and affirm that priv
ege uniformly exercised BY the Senate to pass absurd and
| uninlelligibe bills [Renewed laughter] We have
originated such bills, and have received them from the
other House and sanctioned them. and never supposed
that anybody would have the presumption to pronounce
that this Senate could not pass bill that absurd and
contradictory, Laughter; and il be absurd in
bill, why not IN an amendment, since when adopt il
it's no longer an amendment but part Of the bill and
transfers the absurdiy from itself to the bill We have
always exercised this privilege since the establishment of
the government to put as many absurdites into bill
we choose
| In the next place, the position of the senator from
Maine is unounded in point of fact He is mistak en-.
There Is arcady-as my friend from Louisiana has
toneda provision IN another part OF this bill which de-
cares that the title shall be assignabe and therefore
to that proposition this subsequent point in the amend
men which authorizes the heirs to bring suit, is ger
name and proper and relieves the bill OF the very objec
on which he makes, and supports my proposition Tor
the division OF this amendment, and taking the question
upon the Two points separately.
Now sir, again, allow TO say that this question,
whether thing unintellgbIe and absurd, is upon
which men may differ, and about which have right
respect by what the minority may think protest against
this encroachmen upon the rights of the majority to de-
termine what is nonsensical and absurd [Laughter
insist upon the privileges Of the Senate and upon the prv
leges OF the majority But as ! am not disposed to be
pertinacious, with the consent of the Senate will with
draw my appeal
The question being then taken upon the amendment
Mr. DAVIS, Of Mississippi Mr. President, we are
about to provide bountesso far understand the
agumen-tor all who have served against foreign
emy or in our Indian and other wars. The question
presented by this amendment is. whether we shall pro.
vide home Tor those soldiers of any Of those wars
enumerated in the BILL who desire TO have home Sc
cured to them by the United States from the public
lands, and free from execution. Now, sir, am in
favor OF the amendment for this simple reason: Where
there is old soldier who desires 10 have home
secured to him by Congress in the public lands, and
which cannot be seized and snached from him, let him
havelt. II is easy to answer all the arguments which
have been offered against by another provision which
be inserted in the bill and that that whenever
soldier shall not CLAIM the land. he shall be allowed a
certain sum OF money in lieu thereof cannot possibly
understand the policy OF those who insist that every
soldier shall have warrant and sell II Tor whatever II
the government should pay him what the warrant is
worth in the market, rather than throw II into the
hands OF SPECTATORS Suppose they sell for $50 to the
quarter section; it is then 10 reduce the price OF all
your lands less than onehalf of their ordinary price
Ii he go into the market and sell his warrant for
$50, you cannot possibly sell the same lands for 81 25
Mr. SHIELDS. II the senator from Mississippi will
allow me- do not wish 10 hear argument upon prem
ises which are destitute of foundation Is II not clear
that this argument is so, for this reasonthai this
rant is not assgnable, and that consequently II 1t rs as
signed the assignment is null and void
1 Mr. DAVIS OF Mississippi. Oh understand all that.
am long way in advance OF that. know that all that
means nothing. II is OF no avail These transfers will
be made again, as they have been made before and
from Missouri will stop it, We have, then, the question
to ask oursevesshall provide for paying bounty in
money TO certain amount, and IN lieu thereof to give
home every soldier who desires II from the public lands
That is the question which is presented to my mind In
stead Of making the money the alternative, we should
make the land the alternative II Congress has prede
emned to give 10 every soldier who has servered against
foreign enemy or in the Indian wars certain amount
OF bounty offer il TO him in money, and in lieu thereof
give HIM home II he desires II at less pree han any
other settler, and that home from execution which
may be levied upon by his creditors. This home we
should provide for and to every soldier who desires
it otherwise you merely devise a mode OF selling
public land and selling for less than you the habit
OF charging to actual settlers Then what is the conse
quence of all this Those who speculate in the public
lands will buy up the warrants thus thrown broadcast
the cosny, and draw around the present settlements
Gordon OF lands, held up for higher prices, and which
will arrest the progress OF settlement and Improvements
New settlements will arise upon the other side OF this
don OF reserved lands and thus the whole progress OF the
development OF the country will be interrupted and de-
ranged.
every opportunity 10 know, thai this very bill the
subject of speculation in England. Capitalists are ar
ranging with reference 10 IL, 10 make Iat ana oHlaOe
investment.
Let us determine first what is our great purpose lstto
grant bounty every soldier who has served In war
Ii so let fix the amount willing to give to each
soldier state the amount you are prepared 10 grant 10
him. and then, in lieu thereof, give him home secured
from execution That is the proposition, which, II the
Senate choose 10 take the first step and declare that every
soldier is entitled TO bounty, will secure the object
which we have in view.
The question being then taken upon the amendment it
was rejected on dvision-ayes 10, noes TO-
On notion the further consideration oil the subject was
then postponed until Monday next.
On motion by Mr.. BADGER,
Ordered That when the Senate adjourn, be to meet
Monday next
FREDERICK d. MILLS.
On motion by Mr. BALDWIN the Senate, as in COM
mee of the whole proceeded TO the consideration OF the
bill for the relief of the administrator oil the estate of Ma
/ lor Frederick D. Mills, deceased and, amendment
being offered il reported 10 the Senae and ordered
TO be engrossed and read third time.
| SARAH JANE WEST.
| Mr. UNDERWOOD | rise 10 ask a favor for a woman
who lives my negbborhood In the heart Of Kentucky,
OF the name of Sarah Jane Wxst She is the widow OF
musician in one OF the REGIMENTS of the Mexican army 1t
said that her husband deserted, and, being report
ed she could not get extra pay land, and the poor
woman applied 10 have the whole matter renvesgaied
The House have passed her BILL believing that her hus
band did not desert, but killed think ought to
give her the land and the extra pay. hope, therefore,
/ that the Senate will take up the bill
| Mr. BADGER. ! desire TO ask my friend from Ken
lucky question, and my vote his proposition viii de-
pend upon his answer wish TO know whether this
soldier deserted the army deserted his vile Laugh
| ter
MIR UNDERWOOD. He left his wife to serve his