The southern press., 1851-12-18
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The SPEAKER informed the House, that he had
appointed the Committee on Rules, of which Mr..
JONES, of Tennessee, is chairman.
A resolution was submitted by Mr. FLORENCE,
Of Pennsy lvania, relative to the discharge OF la
borers, who are employed on the capitol; but the
motion to suspend the rules being objected TO, the
resolution was withdrawn.
Mr.. RICHAR SON, of H., called the atten-
ton of The SPEAKER, to the regular order OF busl-
ness; who decided that the unfinished business OF
Yesterday be proceeded with, and the motion to
refer the resolution for the repayment OF monies
received in California before 1t became State OF
the Union, to the Committee on Military Affairs,
was negatived-,he ayes and nays being tax n by
vote Of 10 in the negative to 70 IN the afflrma-
tive; and il was then referred to the Committee Of
Ways and Means. ~
The SPEAKER then called upon the members Of
States and Territories for petitions and motions,
when several bills OF local nature, were read
| and referred to committees.
Mr. BURT, Of South Carolina, stated that Mr..
DARBY, from the Stale of Missouri, who came to
| Washington, for the purpose of attending 10 his
duty as member OF Congress, had been struck
down by paralysis; and moved resolution, that
| his mileage be allowed him; which unani-
mousy agreed to.
Mr. MOORE, of La, presented resolution and
memorial from that State, calling upon lis mem
bers to their exertions to procure the adoption
of measures for the encouragement Of persons,
| who have obtained right of way from the Gulf
of Mexico ard the Pacific and that sum be APP
| propriated for the survey Of the most desirable
route to he chosen
MIR. FLORENCE, Of Pa, presented petition
] from the citizens of that State, requesting that a
law be passed for preventing the Introduction of
! foreign convicts and paupers.
| Mr.. EVANS, of Md, stated, that he was in
structed by the Committee on Military Affairs, to
report bin for the relief Of the Virginia Wooen
company, which was regd first and second time
and with the memorial was ordered To DE printed,
and referred 10 he committee of the whole house.
Mr.. STANTON, ofKy., chairman Of the Com
mittee on Public Buildings, submitted a resolution,
authorizing The architect to continue the employ
ment of worklaen recently engaged on the capt
| toll, and who have been discharged, owing To the
funds that lad been voted, having been expended.
The architect had stated that the hewing Of stone
and LAYING of foundation, can progress during the
present season, and net be injured by the frost
and desires 10 be authorized to continue these
| people, who will otherwise suffer but who are
willing to wait for their pay until funds shall be
appropriated.
In reply to a question from Mr.. CARTIER Of
! Ohio, Mr.. STANTON said, he was not aware OF the
amount Of funds which had been expended and
as to the lime that had been used at the capitol,
it was the best which could be procured in the vi
cinity Of Washington.
Mr. FICKLIN, Of Illinois, was opposed to the
resolution, because il made Il obligatory upon the
superintendent TO employ the workmen who
would thus be compelled 10 yield TO ciamor.
Mr.. VENABLE, OF n. c., would not agree 10
a resolution which recognized the principle that
the government should furnish employment, and
ifmen run the risk of coming TO Washington IA
the purpofe Of obtaining Il, they must take the
consequences Of what was their own act " how
ever, II could be shown, that they were Suffering
from want, he might he induced to vote for the
resolution. He was, however, against assuming
that responsibility which belonged a. an agent oi
the government, and would not step in between
him and HIS responsibility.
| Mr.. HUNTER expressed his willingness tc
modify the resolution, MS n meet the objections
that had been urged against Il F; and moved That Il
be referred u a committee Of the whole House on
the state II the Union.
The ayes and nays being called for, there wtr,
| % IN favor e the motion, aud IS against it,
| Il was then moved that the House gn INTO com
! mitiee On Il state OF the Union but MOTOR
bsirg carried TO adjourn, the House rose at thre'
| O'Clock