The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-27

ceived 'tSt 49,
Mr.. REED introduced bill granting public
lands IN Pennsylvania, in aid Of the construction
Of railroads therein Referred to the Committee
on Public Lands.
Mr.. McCLERNAND introduced bill for re-
organizing and improving the efficiency Of the De-
partment of State. Referred to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs.
MIR. McMULLEN introduced a bill granting
certain public lands to aid in constructing the Vr
GINA and Tennessee railroad. Referred to the
Committee on Public Lands.
Mr.. CHANDLER introduced the following re-
solution
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Interior be
requested Uniform this House, whether in his
opinion any branch Of the public service would be
aiued III the discharge ofits duties, or any public
interest of the United States essentially benefited
by report on the material productions, inven-
tons, manufactures and other works of industry
which will be displayed at the industrial exhibi.
ton, to be held in London in 1851, and, il so,
what will be the probable cost of obtaining such
report
Objection being made the resolution was not re-
ceived.
Mr.. POTTER moved to take from the Speaker s
table the joint resolution authorizing the sending
of an agent To California ard Oregon to receive
postal bills. Objected to.
The House then proceeded to the consideration
OF the regular order of the day.
Mr.. THOMPSON, of Pennsylvania, from the
Committee on the Judiciary, reported with an
amendment, Senate bill authorizing a change, in
certain cases, of venue from courts in the District
OF Columbia to courts in Virginia and Maryland.
MIR. THOMPSON proposed an amendment,
which was IA substitute Of the original BILL He
subsequently moved to strike from the substitute
the second section.
Mr.. BROWN, of Indiana, asking if the origi-
nal or Senate bill was not general in its character,
was answered in the affirmative.
Mr. ~.
nature and effect of the bill, saying that the Com
mttee on the Judiciary had concluded to limit its
effect to the case of the heirs of Koscipsko.
Mr.. GIDDiNGS asking the chairman of the
Judiciary Committee f the Senate bill included
within its purvew, cases arising under the laws
concerning slavery, was answered in the afiirma-
tive.
Mr.. THOMPSON'S amendment to the amend
ment Of the committee was then adopted.
Mr.. DUER suggested such a modification Of
the bill reported by the Judiciary Committee, MS
TO make It general in its operation. After some
discussion between Mr.. DUER in favor, and Mr..
Thompson in opposition,
Mr.. BA1LY moved to refer the bill TO the
Committee of the Whole on the state Of the
Union.
MIR. BAYLY stated that hasty legislation rela-
tive TO the practice of courts, was generally inju-
rious. He thought this bill was passed with too
much haste; that there should be time for its con-
sderaton, and that it should not pass unless there
were decided reasons therefor.
Mr.. THOMPSON stated that the Koscusko
case had Keen long in the courts Of the District,
and that the attorney for the heirs asked Congress
for change of jurisdiction. A former bill to ef-
feet that OBJ ect had been defeated because not gen
eral in its nature.
Mr.. ASHMUN opposed 10 the original
bill and the amendment. There was no demand
for general law on the subject. All the diff
Guilty arose from this single case.
raaT ,.,itl, anI
AsnMuN. He wanted to know the reasons for
this law. To pass it without such knowledge
would be an imputation upon the courts Of the
District.
Mr.. BURT was not prepared to take such ac
ton as would be reflection upon the courts of
the District. If there were grounds for an impu-
tationo Partially, there another mode Of re.
dress. lie declared that OF all tyrants, II judicial
one was most odious, but he should oppose this
whole matter, unless good reasons were given for
the course proposed
Mr. THOMPSON stated that the persons in
terested in the case, had declared upon oath their
belief that they could not obtain in this District,
an impartial trial.
Mr. EWING stated there was great misappre-
hension Of the legal grounds for change Of venue.
First, justice must be had, and second, parties
should be satisfied with the judgment. If a party
has reason for believing that Justice will not he
done, he can ask change of jurisdiction. The
application was to the discretion of the court. The
asking of change of venue was no impuatIon
upon the court. The right existed in all the
States.
Mr.. DUER proposed the following amendment:
Provided, however, that this section shall apply
only to cases over which the circuit courts afore
said may have original jurisdiction under the Con
stitution Of the United States. Carried
Mr.. ASHMUN corrected the gentleman from
Tennessee, Mr.. EWING, by stating that by the
bill, the application Tor change Of venue was not
to the discretion Of the court
Mr.. PRESTON KING said that the mayor Of
Washington had appeared before the Committee
on the Judiciary, and had demonstrated against
general law which might effect cases arising in
this District. He stated that this was n case
which called for the interference of Congress
The amendment OF the committee was agreed
to, and the bill, by vote of ITO in avor to 80
against, was ordered to he read a third time. II
was then passed.
Mr.. THURSTON introduced a memorial Of
Andrew Hood, and others, asking for confrma-
ton OF certain town lots in Ryan city. Referred
to the Committee on Public Lands
MIR. POTTER moved to proceed to the con-
sideraton Of the business on the Speaker table.
Mr.. r. III. STANTON moved that when the
House adjourns it adjourn to meet on Monday.
Carried.
And the House then adjourned.
NOTICES OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS.
BY Mr. GILBERT: A bill to create a Board
or commissioners Tor the examination and pay
ment of claims against the United States, growing
out of the military occupation and conquest of
California. Also, resolution making retroactive
in its effects, so much of the army appropriation
bill, approved September %, 1850 as provides
extra pay to the officers and men of the U. s.
army, serving in California and Oregon.
~ The sexton of Salisbury Cathedral was
telling Lamb that eight persons had dined to-
gethcr upon the top Of the spre upon which
he remarked that "they must have been sh rp
set
A WASHING ToXIAN KILLED ON THE PH1LADEL-
PHIA RAILRoAp-On Sunday morning, between
3 and 4 o'clock, an unknown man was killed on
the Baltimore railroad, in Broad street. Philadel-
phia, by being crushed under one of the cars
and run over. The Ledger says: