The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-02-17
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
FRIDAY, Feb. IL, 1851.
EVENING SESSION.

EVENING SESSION,
The Committee resumed its session at Z o clock
.(Mr. BUEL in the chair.)
Mr. CLINGMAN, who had the floor at the
hour of recess being detained from the House.
Mr.. CONGER rose and said that he was not
about to open the bleeding wounds inflicted by
the slavery agitation, but was unwilling that it
should be understood that he was in favor of the
compromise measures of the last session. He did
not deem them the best calculated to promote the
peace and concord of the country. Relating to
the charge of having lodged vote on the Fugi-
tive slave law, he said that he was compelled, by
imperious necessity, to leave the city on the day
after the passage of the Texan boundary bill. An
ticipating that the bill might be taken up in his
absence, he paired off with friend Of tie bill
Those who really lodged that vote might have
the credit claimed by them he desired it not
Mr.. C. was not desirous OF occupying the time of
the committee in discussing the merits Of that
measure. 1t was obnoxious to The people ri the
North, but they were law-abiding people, and
would stand by the law until repealed. The pledg
es entered into by Northern men, binding them
selves in opposition to measures excluding slave
ry from territories, will be repudiated by the
North Intelligence from New Mckee indicated
that there was danger that slavery would be in
reduced there. Yet some Northern men had so
bound themselves that they could not resist it.
He had felt bound TO say thus much in vindjca
ton Of himself from the groundless charges with
which he had been assaed.
Mr.. BOKEE expressed surprise that the gen
teman should have thought fit to assail his own
colleagues. He had signed the pledge referred
to, and WIS proud oft
Mr.. CONGER, interrupting, explained that he
had assaiIed no one. He had not impugned the
honesty or integrity Of any man.
Mr.. BOKEE. My colleague asser'ed hat those
who had signed the pledge would c repudiated
by the people Of the North.
n II hat l,o
signed the pledge would be repudiated, but that
the pledge would be repudiated by the people of
the North.
Mr.. BOKEE Those who signed the pledge
considered tie compromise measures as settle
ment Of all the questions. Those who oppose
them are for continuing agitation. He had pledged
himself to oppose such men. Referring TO ques-
ton Of the gentleman from Ohio. whether he
would turn out 10 catch fugitive slave, ~, b.
said he would turn out to catch those who resis,
the law. r
Mr.. GIDDINGS said that the alluson Of the
gentleman from New York was entirely unex-
pected. He did not admit his right to introduce
it into the debate. He would not dispute the
right Of that gentleman to turn out and catch the
painting fugitive and drag him into bondage. He
was willing that gentlemen should rise and boast
Of their disposition to play the part ofboodhounds
Mr.. JONES having next obtained the floor,
said he would not go into the discussion of the
general power Of the government over the subject
Of interna. improvement. previous speech
with his votes, embodied his principles on that
subject. But desiring to speak concerning the
report of the Secretary Of the Treasury, and on
the subject Of the finances generally, he should
avail himself of the privilege now. He referred
to what he called the Iabored effort Of the ecreta
ry Of the Treasury to justify the heavy expendi-
lures proposed for the next fiscal year The Mex
lean war was the pretence for them, and an in
crease in the rates Of duty upon imports was JUS
tilted by the Of things resulting from the first
He then proceeded to make comparison Of the
expenditures OF Wing and Democratic admins
trntions during certain periods.
Mr.. BOWIE foIlowe in an argument in which
he maintained the consttutionany ofappropria-
tons for internal improvements Congress had
control over commerce not only with foreign ma
tons, but between the several States. The term
commerce applied to trade upon and land.
The States had not the resources to appropriate
for these purposes. They had delegated that pow
err to the general government. Those who franz
ed the Constitution best knew what construction
10 place upon it's provision. The first Congress
made appropriations for the Improvement Of har
borx. They had been continued under every ad
rninistration, whether Wing or Democratic. Re
ferring to the veto Of Mr.. Polk, MIR. Is. said that
il had contributed more than any thing ese to ef-
feet the Withdrawal of the adhesion of the people
of the West from their former party associations
Mr.. B. set forth in glarins terms the rights and
resources Of the West, and regarded the bill as
one Of general and not Of local interest.
Mr.. CROWELL spoke at length, maintaining
the const,tutionality OF protecting the industrial
interests Of the country against the pauper labor
of the monarchies Of Europe. An act OF the first
Congress had recited the duty Of protecting the
manufactures and industry Of the country. He
next adverted to arguments urged against the r'v-
er and harbor bill, and earnestly urged the claims
oftheWest for the appropriations provided by the
bill He concluded with some structures upon
the Fugitive slave law, and avowed himself IN
favor Of modifying its provisions. us to protect
constitutional rights of all sections Of the country.
At the close Of his remarks the committee rose,
and the House, on motion Of Mr.. CLNeMAS,
voted TO meet tomorrow at II o'clock A. M
rF.tiN pa SATURDAY, Feb, Is, 1851.
RlAfier the reading Of the Journal Of yesterday,
NM r. p. STANTON asked unanimous con-
sent to make report from the Committee on
Naval Affairs. Objected to.
The House then went into Committee OF the
Whole on the river and harbor bill.
MIR BURT in the Char.
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