The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-02-25

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Mr.. BAYLY said that he felt il to be his duty
to eal the attention Of the House to the practical
operation Of the five minute rule. Unless il was
suspel ded, not even the civil and diplomatic bill
could be passed al the present session lie then
read statement showing that at the heel OF the
lasa session OF Congress, the debate under the
I'VE minute luIe upon The civil and diplomatic bill
occupied eleven days, that upon the navy bill
eight days, and that upon the army bill four or
tve days. From this, gentlemen would see, that
Al the rule was perlInacousy adhered TO, the pas
sage OF the appropriation bills would be imp 81
bic, and an extra session inevitable. Mr.. Is. said
that the rule of recent origin, and oil that he
proposed was, a return to the former practice OF
the House. Replying to question Of Mr.. Or's,
Mr.. Is. said, that The practice of fixing upon an
hour 10 close debate, prevailed prior 10 the adop-
ton Of the FIVE minute rule. 1t was disagreeabIe
for him to seem to he dragooning the House, but
his course was governed by an imperative sense
or duty. After this explanation of the practical
operation of the rule, he felt that he should be re-
lieyed from any responsibility arising from the
failure to suspend il.
Mr.. McCLERNAND obtained the floor and
was proceeding to speak upon the subject of
French spoiiations when
Mr. MCDONALD raised a pt(pt oforder, which
was, that me remarks were not germane to the
bill before the committee
The CHAIRMAN stated that as it had been
the nvarable practice TO discuss general questions
OF public policy, when bills of this kind were un
der consideration, he should override the point Of
order. Upon appeal, the Chairman was sustained
by vote Of 50 TO 70.
Mr.. McCLERNAND resumed and occupied
his hour IN speach against the French spoIiation
bill, at the close Of his remarks,
Mr.. VINION moved the committee rise, with
view to the Introduction Of a resolution closing
debute in half an hour after again going into
Committee Of the Whole. The motion PIE JAILED,
and the chairman reported TO the House that no
resolution had been come TO upon the bill before
the committee.
On motion of Mr.. VINTON, a resolution clos
ing debate in half an hour was adopted and the
House again went into Committee Of the Whole
Mr.. +. p. STANTON rose and addressed the
committee upon the subject of lines Of ocean
steamers lie said that the policy originated dur
ing Mr. Polk administration The difficulties
arising from the Oregon question suggested the
danger to which our commerce would be exposed
in case Of war from the British steamers The Gu
nard line, and line Of British steamers between
England and the West Indies were in successful
operation. Since then the Collins line Of steamers
has been authorized, and England has been met,
surpassed, and yaDqnIshed Mr.. S. went to state
the effect OF the establishment of American lines
upon British interests Of the same character He
then read statistics showing that the receipts from
hostages exceed the expenditures OF the govern
ment on account OF ocean steamers As to the OBJ
lection that they were monopoIies, MIR. s. showed
that the stock of the Collins line had NOT been
taken, and that money had been lost in the enter
prize. He said that the plan Of Mr.. Polk contem-
plated an indefinite enlargement All the great
divisions OF the globe should be cemented with US
by this measure. While we a re hes,atng about
the expenditure of few milio ms of dollars, Eng
land is laying the kesls that will command the
rn 1arra mfr nA paaGn
Mr. J. A. KING made some remarks in oppo-
sltion to Mr.. McCLERnAND, upon the subject of
French spoliation, and was followed by
Mr.. MORSE, who stated that it had been his
intention to have spoken at length upon the same
subject, but the time provided for debate being
limited, he should content himself with writing
out his remarks.
MIR. EVANS, Of Maryland, said that at the pro-
per time, he should propose an amendment to the
bill providing for decrease in the expenses Of
lighthouses.
Mr.. MCDONALD proposed an amendment pro-
vidIng that mileage shall be computed by the near
est mail routes.
MIR. STEPHENS moved to amend the amend
ment by striking therefrom the word 90 nearest"
and inserting instead thereof, the word "usual. ,"
The modification was agreed to, as was the amend
ment as amended,
Mr. FITCH proposed a further amendment
requiring the mileage to be computed upon the
usual mail route reported by the Post Office De-
partment. Agreed TO.
Mr. g. w. JONES proposed an amendment
contemplating the payment of four dollars for
every twenty miles travelled; also prohibiting the
allowance of mileage to members for sessions
holden within thirty days after an adjournment
at previous session, unless for actual travel
Mr.. JONES spoke in favor of his amendment,
and was followed by
MIR. TOOMBS, who opposed departure from
the position already taken by the House on the
subject of mileage. Referring to the anticipated
hostility of the Senate, he expressed u willingness
to see the appropriation bills defeated, rather than
that retrenchment should be defeated. The
amendment was negatived.
Mr.. BRICK proposed an amendment provid-
ing for the printing, in book form, of the opinions
Of the attorney general since lS4l. After debate
by himself in favor, and by Messrs. JAS. THoMp-
SON and McLANE against, the amendment was
negatived.
MIR. HOLMES proposed amendment appro-
prIatIng $4,000 for the printing Of two thousand
copies of the exploring expeditions for distribution
among the members of Congress and unlve slty
Libraries of the United States. After debate by
Messrs. HOLMES and JAcoB Thompson in favor
and Mr. STEPHENS in opposition, the question
was put and the amendment was negatived
Mr. ASHMUN proposed an amendment, pro-
viding for distribution of the last volumes Of the
annals of Congress. Agreed to.
MIR. BRICK proposed amendment provid-
ing $4,000 for the preparation of the decisions of
the attorney general since lS4l, under resolution
of the House calling for sa,d decisions Mr.
Is. supported the amendment, and Messrs. Nc
LANE, FEATHERsTos and JANIS THoMpsoN OPP
posed IT, The question was then put and the
amendment agreed to.
Mr.. JACOB THOMPSON proposed an amend
AulhorizIup tho frun ~ 4
plates of the exploring expedition to the Smith
sonan Institution, with a view 10 the publication
of new edition of thai work.
MIR. WENTWORTH proposed so to modify
the amendment, as TO provide for the distribution
of copies 10 the members Of Congress. AMER de-
bate by Mr.. WENTWORTH in favor, Messrs SrE-
VEINS and JACOB THOMPSON against, the question
was put and the amendment to the amendment,
was neganved. The amendment was then agreed
to.
On motion Of Mr.. BAYLY, the committee then
rose, whereupon he moved thai, the House should