The republic., 1850-12-31

MIR. UNDERWOOD opposed the reference. and
urged that il be passed at once.
The debate continued by Messrs. TURNEY.
WALKER, DODGE, Of Iowa, and others, and then
the motion to refer agreed to.
On motion, the Senate thes adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Mr. ToomBs. Of Georgia, appeared in his seat
toe day for the first time this session.
Mr.. ALEXANDER G. PENN, member elect from
the State of Louisiana, in the place of John H. Har
manson deceased, appeared, was sworn TO support
the Constitution OF the United States, and took his
seat.
BUFFALO AND MISSISSIPPI AND SoRTHERN INDIANA
RAILROAD.
Mr.. WHITE, in pursuance OF previous notice,
asked and obtained leave to introduce bill grant
ing the right of way through the public lands to the
Buffalo and Mississippi, and the Northern Indiana
Railroad company. He asked that the bill be
put on its passage
i was read for information, when
MIR. SW WEETSER moved that it be referred to the
Committee Public Lands.
Mr.. WHITE asked the gentleman to withdraw
his motion. The company. he said were now en-
gagged in surveying this road. It was through a
region of public lands not valuable at all; yet it
desirable and necessary to have the right of
way The grant would do no harm; the con
trary, il there any value in the land this would
The question taken, and the House refused
to refer the bill to the Committee on Public Lands
ayes 55, noes II.
Mr. COBB, of Alabama. proposed to amend, by
adding n clause giving the right of way through
the public lands to the Memphis and Charleston
Railroad Company. This, he said, was reported in
bill during the last session, and now stands the
first on the calendar. 1t would only be making
short work to add it to this bill
Mr.. WHITE said, no doubt if it should be refer
red to the Committee on Public Lands, they would
report it to the House, and then it could be put
its passage.
Mr. COBB repeated that it had been referred to
the Committee on Public Lands, reported, and that
ii the first on the calendar.
Mr.. WENTWORTH inquired whether the bill
granted any thing more than simply right of
MIR. WHITE. Nothing more than is absolutely
Mr.. WENTWORTH made similar inquiry Of
Mr.. COBB, of Alabama who replied in like
manner.
Mr.. WENTWORTH then moved the previous
question.
Mr. WHITE inquired whether it was in order
for the gentleman from Alabama to offer, as an
amendment, bill which the calendar.
The SPEAKER said that the proposed amend
ment was out of order unless the two roads are
connected.
The question being st, tied on ordering the bill to
be engrossed for third reading it was objected to.
LANDS FOR RAILROAD PURPosEs
Mr.. BROWN, of Mississippi, in pursuance of
previous notice, introduced bill granting the
right of way and donations of the public lands to
the Louisiana and Mississippi railroad; which
referred to the Committee on Public Lands
OREGON AN MINI EsorA.
Mr. SIBLEY introduced a bill to amend the act
establishing the territorial government of Oregon,
and the act establishing the territorial government
of Minnesota; which referred to the Committee
on Territories.
BOUNTY LANDS.
On Thursday, when the House ad Jour ned a mo.
ton, made by Mr.. Caldwell, of kentucky, was
pending-to suspend the rules, to enable him to in
g,
September %, 1885, granting bounty lands to
tain officers and soldiers engaged in the military
service Of the United States. II provides that
thing in that law shall be construed to prevent the
sale or transfer of any certificate warrant prior
to the location of the same, or the issue of the pa
tent thereon.
The question being taken, the rules were sus
pended-yeas l3l, nays 3S.
Mr. CALDWELL said he would not dctain the
House with any unnecessary remarks, having
doubt that large number were in favor of the
measure which he had introduced. One word in
relation to the immediate passage of the resol lton
He had been informed by the Commissioner of
Pensions that the warrants will not be issued until
after the action Of this House. and until that officer
shall have opportunity of afixing the transfer
on the back of the warrants. He moved the pre-
vious question.
Mr.. VINTON expressed the hope that the motion
would not prevail. However,
The demand for the previous question
S3 noes 80.
The bill subsequently declared to be en-
crossed for third reading, when
Mr.. VINTON moved to reconsider that vote.
He was opposed to the passage Of the resolution.
Ii proposed to change an act of Congress, and to
take away from the benehciaries of the Govern
ment the only security which they have against
spectators. If he were young man, and 30 dis
posed, he would not desire a better chance for
speculation than that which the measure afforded
For many years-for quarter a century-when
the subject of hese bounties better understood
than now, certain persona have swarncd around
he hal lf th. acrsO az n
law like this, but always without effect They de
sired 10 put into their pockets the proceeds Of these
public lands At the last session, bill passed
with such restrictions as would enable the soldier
hom land granted to realize a fair equiva-
lent. But this did not answer the purpose Of the
spectators. The bill now before the House
the second edition. II it pass, the public lands
(Which as great policy, should be kept in the
hands of the Government, and not in those of spec
ulators, which would retard the settlement Of the
country,) instead of being owned by two hundred
and fifty thousand persons donces of this Govern
mont, in few years, perhaps in eighteen months,
would be the property Of few spectators. The
rights will sink did the bounties of 1919, and a
warrant for one hundred and sixty acres of land
will not be sold for much forty dollars. Fur
remarks were made by this gentleman
Mr.. CALDWELL, Of Kentucky, said il was ne
cessary this resolution should be passed. in order
10 redeem the act of the last sesson from the spec
ulators. Not more than two days ago he received
letters from gentlemen who had held the highest
stations in Kentucky, and who are benehciaries,
who think that this measure ought TO pass II the
law u 10 be regarded according ~ the construc-
ton Of the Secretary Of the Interior not than
hall the number will get the advantage which this
resolution will confer. The gentleman from Ohio
said that II he were young man he would go into
the speculation. He (Mr CO presumed that the
gentleman has been young man, aud II may be
that he has availcd himself Of opportunity like
this, and he may now have eighty or a hundred
thousand acres himself
Mr.. VINTON was understood 10 inquire whether
the gentleman infimatcd that he W cc cd in
land speculstions.
Mr. CALDWELL replied that hc only said the
gentleman may have land, and desires TO sell IT,
Mr.. NINTON. Quite mistaken.
Mr.. CALDWELL The benehciaire cannot sell
his land, II II be located but If you allow him to
transfer bis warrant nc obtain for il fair va
lue but II you do not permit this, only large spec
ulaors can afford 70 run the hazard Of buying the
warrants
Mr. JONES asked, have you seen any speculator
or lobber who desires the warrants 20 be made
transierrablei
Mr.. CALDWELL ! have not
Mr.. VINTON asked whether the gentleman had
conversed with any Of the spectators in these war
rantsY
Mr.. CALDWELL said he bad not but with spec
ulators ~ Mexican land warrants, (or something
10 this cfTcct)
Mr. JONES further inquired, whether the gen
tloman from Kentucky had ever seen a soldier who
afr m Me rico md dtybo l..