The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-08-17
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Fp,n,v Anoust ne. Ia5O

FRIDAY, August l6, 1850.
Mr.. EWING, Of Tennessee, moved, and the
\ House resolved to, 60 into Committee OF the
Syhole on the state Of the Union.
\ AMr. BURT, of South Carolina, was called TO
kfk Chair, and stated the order of business TO be
~ consideration Of the Civil and Diplomatic APP
n kpration bill.
-. EWING, Of Tennessee, took the floor, re-
liking that he did not intepd to speak 10 the bill
5efore the Committee, but to that portion OF the
Tate message OF the Executive, which recon-
mended certain measures to Congress in reference
to territory east Of the Rio Grande claimed by
Texas. He thought it particularly unfortunate
that at this time such message should have
emnnaied from the Executive of this Government.
He denied that under any circumstances this
Government was empowered to coerce q sovereign
State into obedience 10 any law.
He was in favor OF the bill from the Senate,
proposing To Texas an adjustment Of her boun-
dary He thought il would be better for Texas,
than if her limits were bounded by the RIO
Grande; better than If we gave her two hundred
and fifty thousand square miles of territory. Such
an acquisition to her limits would be a blight on
her prosperity, whereas, an appropriation of ten
millions Of dollars, in lieu Of il, would enable her
TO pay her debt, construct railroads, canals, &C.,
and otherwise improve her pres Mt territorial sur
face and consequently add to the prosperity Of
her people. He would 90 for it also, because he
believed would he for the salvation of the coun-
try. lie believed the political power OF the South
would be diminished rather than increased by the
extension Of the limits of slavery.
MIR. SWEETZER, Of Ohio, commenced some
remarks in reference to the Presidents message,
when the hour arrived for terminating debate on
the bill.
Mr. BAYLY, OF Virginia, obtained the floor at
twelve o'clock, M. aud chairman Of the Com
mittee or Ways and Means, was entitled to make
the closing speech on the bill before the commit
tee. Before doing so, he addressed few remarks
h reference to the Presidents late message
recating its tone and doctrines as calcua-
iexacerbate the already alarming state Of
kfh the South, to extent that II was
m6AS tearful to contemplate. Ii the Executive
could first assume law existed, and then execute
It M proposed in the message, he thought we were
fast approxhnating TO military despotism. The
President could not move in foreign war, much
less in civil war, unless authorized by act Of
Congress.
Mr.. b. then went, in part. into the merits ofthe
hill, and contended that fifty-two millions of dol
lars would not be requisite to carry on the Gov.
ernment for the present fiscal year, as cOntended
by the gentleman from Tennessee, Mr. JoNEs.l
He affirmed that the gentleman had overstated the
amount which would he required, more than
sl1 ,000, 000-that $4,000, 900 was all that was
required. He admitted the reckless extravaganza
OF expenditures generally, but the committee being
called on to appropriate to meet the requIstions OF
existing laws, of course had no control OF them.
Amer he had concluded, the Clerk commenced
reading the bill with view to amendments,
when
Mr.. JOHNSON, Of Tennessee, moved that the
first section require that all salaries above 81 900
be. on and after the Ist Monday OF December
next, reduced one-ffh; provided that il was con-
sttitional and brought no salary below 81 900.
The amendment was rejected.
Mr. SWEETZER, of Ohio, moved TO amend
the first section, which reads, " That no such
member of either branch Of Congress, residing
East of the Rocky mountains, shall receive more
than 81 900 mileage for each session, and no such
member or delegate residing West Of the Rocky
mountains, shall receive more than $4,000 mile
cage for each session, !" by reducing the 6rst sum
to $500, and the second % 81 900.
Aner some remarks by Mr.. 8, for, and Mr..
TuuRsToS against the amendment