The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-22


pany Of Georgetown, which had been returned to
the House from the Senate, with an amendment
limiting the liability of stockholders in their pri-
vate property for the debts of the corporation to
the amount Of their stock held at the time Of the
creation Of the debt or liability. The bill as it
passed the House provided for unlimited liability.
Mr.. HALL asserted that the amendment ofthe
Senate defeated the action Of the House, and de-
nounced it as a perfect humbug. ~
Mr.. INGE opposed the principle OF unlimited
liability az applied to corporations Of this charac-
ter. IL adhered to, the charter would not be ac-
cepted. Stockholders would not risk all their
property where there was as much hazard az ex-
listed in insurance enterprises. The corporation
had existed twenty years, and answered all the
objects Of its creation. The citizens Of George
town ask no deviation from previous practice re-
laiing to the charter Mr.. /. knew that the sub
iect of individual liability had been much pressed
in New England, but had not heard that it had
been extended beyond the amount of stock. The
objects OF insurance companies were benehcient.
They operated to favor the poor, whose cases APP
pealed most strongly to the consideration OF legis-
ators. MIR. l. held that the same rule should not
be applied to insurance companies a. TO banking
corporations, which have it in their power 70
swindle the public. All corporations that lamp
cred with the currency were proper subjects OF
aversion. ftl
The House agreed to the Senate's amendment,
ayes III; noes 81.
The House proceeded to the consideration OF
tho following Senate bills, which were severally
read twice, and appropriately referred
/ An act to regulate the pensions Of officers, SOL
diers, seamen, and marines who may have been,
or may hereafter be, disabled while in the service
ofthe United States.
An act for the relief Of Mrs. A. M. Dade,
widow Of the late Major F. l.. Dade, United
States army.
An act for the relief Of Francis p. Gardiner.
An act to make temporary provision for the
working and discovery Of gold mines and placers
in California, and preserving order in the gold
mine district.
An act for the relief Of the legal representatives
Of the late General Walter X. Armistead, Of the
I army Of the United States.
\ A resolution providing for distribution OF the
| Annals of Congress.
i An act for the settlement Of certain classes of
"private land claims" within the limits of 'Baron
de Bastrop grant, and for allowing prescriptions
to certain actual settlers, in the event Of the final
adjudication Of the title Of the said De Bustrop in
favor Of the United States.
i A resolution authorizing the purchase of GER
tain portraits of the first FIVE Presidents Of the
United States.
/ An act to provide compensation to such persons
as may be designated by the Secretary Of the
Treasury to receive and keep the public money
under the 18th section Of the of the 9Th Of Au-
gust, 1876, for the additional services required
under that act.
i An act for the relief Of Ebenezer Dumont.
An act for the relief of the presumption claim
ants Of the lands upon which the towns Of Fort
Madison and Burlington, in Iowa, are situated.
An act for the relief Of E. Pavensttd DIT and Schu-
maker.
An act granting relief to John A. McGaw Of
New York.
The bill entitled an act explanatory Of an act
entitled " An act granting bounty land to certain
officers and soldiers who have been engaged in
the military IF the ITpifed ~ ws n
next considered.
Mr.. G. w. JONES stating that the bill was
passed by the Senate at the close Of the last SEES
sion to prevent an assignment of land warrants,
moved that it lie on the table. Carried.
! The bill entitled an act allowing exchange Of,
and granting additional school lands in the several
States which contain public lands, and for other
purposes, was next considered.
Mr.. HARRIS, Of Illinois, moved that it he put
upon it's passage, and wan understood to say thai
the bill provided for the exchange for good lands
of the worthless ones granted to States for schoo
purposes.
Mr.. BOWLTN moved the previous question
which wHs not sustained. f4
Mr.. VINTON moved the reference of the bill
to the Committee on Public Lands, stating tina
he had no objection to it, If property guarded.
i Mr.: MEADE proposed to amend the motor
for reference by adding thereto, "that said com
mittee be instructed to report bill providing for
general system Of distribution of public lands fol
school purposes.
Mr.. MEADE spoke at length, asserting the
equal right Of each State to the public lands He
knew Of no contract limiting the advantages OF
| gifts OF public lands for school purposes TO the
new States. The benighted o. the old States were
as much entitled thereto those Of the new. He
was tired Of this excusiveness.
Mr.. McCLERNAND, interrupting, said, GER
tain public lands, for educational purposes, were
j granted to the new States by virtue of the com
,,v,ye ,stk. III -, L. H.
Mr.. MEADE, resuming, denied the power Of
people Of the territories to make compacts. Bu
supposing the Government had allowed five pei
cent. upon sales. and had granted away every 18th
section--these were gratuities.
Mr. McCLERNAND said the new States
could tax the lands in that case.
Mr. VINTON said that the provision relating
to donations Of public lands to new States, wal
incorporated in the Ordinance Of ~, and it had
been affirmed in the acts admitting new States.
Mr. MEADE, resumng, proceeded amid some
interruptions to maintain, that the old States hav-
i equally in their benefits The proceeds OF sales
shared came into the general treasury aid in re-
lieving our common constituencies from burd ems
imposed by other species Of taxation.
Mr.. STRONG raised point Of order, which
was that, remarks relating to the general policy
of land distribution was not in order pending tn,
consideration of bills providing for donations 70
school purposes
, The SPEAKER sustained this view and rule,
the gentleman out of order. After some turtle
+ proceedings relating to this and another question
of order,
Mr. MEADE yielded the floor to allow mo
tion for An adjournment, which prevailed,
The House then adjourned.
PETITIONS PRESENTED UNDER THE RULE
The memorial Of Hugh Craig, and ninety tw
other persons, citizens Of Chesterfield dstric
South Carolina, for branch mint in Charleston
South Carolina.
Referred to the Committee on Commerce. b,
JoHN McQuEru.
b Y L K l. K G X A p II.
Photographed for the Southern Press.