The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-07
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.


/ Mr.. HOLMES moved a suspension Of the rules
for the Introduction ofa resolution insrucling the
Cons iitee on Military Affairs report bill con
ferrng the title Of Lieutenant General upon Major
General Winfield Scott, for gallant services in the
late war with Mexico ~
Mr.. ANDREW JOHNSON asked if resou-
utioLs from the several States were not to- day in
order.
The SPEAKER replied that they were, but
that the motion to suspend the rules was also ir
order f
Opposition being made to the suspension of the
rules,
Mr.. HOLMES called for the ayes and noes
And The question being put, it was decided in
the negative. Ayes 10; noes 70; not two-thirds
voting therefor. ft ~
Mr.. ROBINSON asked unanimous consent to
make report from the select committee appointed
to devise method for facilitating the issue Of
land warrants, under the act of August 1850
Agreed to-
Mr.. ROBINSON proceeded to read the report,
when
Mr. KAUFMAN suggested to him the expe-
diency of moving to make the matter special or
DER and that the bill and report be printed for the
examination Of the members
Mr.. ROBINSON urged the necessity Of speedy
legislation, and called upon members friendly to
the measure, TO require action at the present time
Hethen read the report at the clerk table. Mr..
r. went on to say that the report met with the
unanimous assent Of the committee. The bill ac-
companying il proposed to egaize appointments
already made by the Secretary Of the 'nterior.--
There was no reason why warrants are not now
issued at the rate Of FIVE hundred day. That
they had not been, was in his belief because there
was disposition to embarrass the execution of
the law, so AZ ultimately to induce Congress to re-
peal it. The bill did not propose additional clerks,
but only provided for an organization Of the Of
fees having the warrants in charge.
Mr.. ANDREW JOHNSON inferred from this
explanation that there was no necessity for mme-
date action.
Mr.. ROBINSON demanded the previous. ques-
ton
Mr.. McCLERNAND raised a point Of order as
to Mr.. RoBiNsoss right to the floor, he having
yielded to another. The SPEAKER decided ad-
versely to the appeal.
Mr.. BAYLYhoped the previous question would
be refused. EIe desired 10 be heard
Mr.. VINTON wanted no previous question
until the bill was read .q H'-rt
Mr.. KAUFMAN objected to the reading Of the
bill, because he desired it to be printed He hoped
the proposition for reading il would be voted
down. ~"
The motion for the reading the bill prevailed
1t was read, and provided salary OF 81 600 for
principal clerk, who shall have entire charge Of
the business arising in the Pension Office under
the Bounty land act--shall sign for the Commits
sioner Of Pensions, frank. &c. There shall be
besides, an assistant to the principal, with sal
AIRY Of 81 400. Five others are TO receive four
dollars per day, and thirty others three dollars a
dry. Nls
The Sd section provides also that where milf
tary service cannot be verified by the roll, certain
testimony named will be sufficient to obtain a
warrant. ri t t0ifl.,t..
The 4ih section provides for the employment
Of twenty clerks in the Third AUDITORS Office, TO
examine rolls and make certificates.
Section FIVE provides that where person served
longer than he originally engaged, he shall have
lands, proportIonate to the extent of
such service. |
Mr.. JOHN X. MILLER, member Of the Sc
ect committee, stated TINT he did not concur in |
N evidence before the committee that but twenty
clerks could be employed, whereas the bill pro-
rides for thirty-seven. But three hundred war
ants can be examined daily in the Third Auditors
'fice. Before passing this bill, he thought arti-
les Of impeachment should be preferred against
he Secretary Of the Int Tor for usurpatIon of
'ower, in making appointments not authorized
" law.
Some conversation here occurred between
hessrs. MIILEa and RosrHsoN az TO a mlsunder-
landing Of the character Of the bill when in COM
nittee.
Messrs. HAMPTON, ANDREW JoHNsoN, and
Of Tennessee, severay, made inqui-
les Of the Speaker respecting points OF order, and
he effects of certain votes named M .ff...s4
Mr.. ROBINSON also had some conversation
nth the Speaker relative to his right to the aoor
Mr.. BAYLY obtained the floor, but gave wavto
Mr.. McCLERNAND,w who proposed an amend
tent 70 the bill allowing rsgistsrs and rsesivers Of
ind Offices. twenty-five per cent. on every forty
srss Of land located BY thsra under the law, pro.