The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-03-14

Wisconsin [Mr WALxER] objecting TO the amend
ment OF the senator from Kentucky, lRlr UsDERwooD
and not to the proposition OF the senator from Virginia
NJ n RqSEfs WaSFHs I1easrs,.na .'iss q. q that
| Mr.. UrLER. ! believe am entitled to the floor.
| Mr. DICKINSON. Is not the question upon asking
the unanimous consent of the Senate to suspend the
rules IN regard TO the three bills named by the senator
Mr. UNDERWOOD, | withdraw wy motion to
amend,
MI. DICKINSON That is right
Mr. HUNTER | now submit my resolution, aud
hope that The question will be put, that the
from Kentucky has Withdrawn his motion TO amend.
Ihe question being taken upon the motion TO suspend
Mr. BUTLER | had no idea that this bill would be
debated after ii had passednot exactly passeds the
thing in The general acceptaton OF the term for il
has been ordered to third reading Now if gentlemen
under the rules OF the Senate choose to defeat it, ethef
one way or the other. lei be distinctly understood that
oy means OF the rules. and not by the ordinary mode
Now, say the very best mode OF distributing the pub
lic lands s the mode indicated by this bill instead OF
giving to Wisconsin all the lands that in Wisconsin
10 Iowa all the lands that in Iowa. or to Mississippi
all the lands that in Mississippi II is but rate ot
partition 10 give tito the retired solderthus making in
some measure, an equal distribution, far as 1t can be
accomplished in this country.
will finish with more remark; and that is in
ply to the senator from Mississippi, lMr. DAyIsl He
that there provision in the original bill 10 give
home 10 the old soldier and that il should not be alien
able by him, or subject to execution. Now, my friend
from Mississippi would be the very last man to allow the
principle OF federal legislation 10 dictate to the States
what shall be the OF succession distribution Of
the private property in their limits. Why. sir, answer
for it, each State has the proper right TO regulate the de-
scent-cerlanly the right OF succession.
Mr. DAVIS OF Mississippi That is broader than my
proposition.
Mr.. BUTLER. The proposition of the senator was,
that such should have been the provision. say that
such should not be- and could not have been, the PROPOSE
ton under the principle of State laws.
Mr., WALKER. think the senator from South Caro-
llna Mr. BUrLERl is somewhat msiak en- and patcu.
lary regard 10 the character OF the legislation upon
this subject by Congress for have passed BILL and
has become law. and believe is now perfect law,
by which Congress did regulate the succession of prop
ery to limited extent That is the bill providing for the
settlement Of land claims in California. making donations
or providing for their survey for that purpose, granting
lands, and detailing that half should be the hus-
bands aud hall the westhus entering into the
bal state, if may speak, and interfering in the prop
ery relations between husband and wife That has been
MIR. BUTLER Bat the State can annu it
Mr.. WALKER. Well, suppose she can. That does
may make grant to the State and impose what restric
lions peases, in the case have named and if the
State shall fit 10 continue good faith towards the
DONOR it would continue to succeed in perpctuy, pro-
vided by Congress. And the which is
about to pass-fo am not going 10 speak out the time
OF the Senate, for do not take that course to prevent
Mr. BUTLER This must 20 back to the House.
Mr.. WALKER. This is measure amendatory of one
that gave away vast portion OF the public domain TO the
soldiers OF the county, | believe the Secretary OF the
Treasury has estimated the amount granted under the late
law about %, 900 900 OF acres We had large amount
OF bounty land warrants outstanding at the time that law
was passed and have adopted amendment 10 this
resolution which. in the estimation those who seem to
know all about the maer-such the Commissioner of
the General Land Office and the chairman OF the Com
mItiee Public Lands of this Senate-will double the
amount, very nearly so, of the lands cred by
the original bill, which passed Congress at the las,
sion And now, when you propose to issue paper me-
95ooo,ooo acres, you have proposition before you at
this 10 make the whole OF them assgnabe, not TO
result to the full extent OF their value to the benefit OF
the soldier bu, 10 the benefit OF the fortunate who
may purchase them of the soldiers taking advantage of
their necessities 10 possess himself OF this property for
purposes of speculation. This is your proposition
And as remarke ed the other day, ii any will take
the appendix OF the report OF the Commissioner OF the
General Land Office, he will nd that the quantity OF land
covered by these land warrants equivalent TO eight out
o.! the twelve landed States OF the Union And yet 1t is
contended, when il is known to the country that
there is such immense amount of this assgnable paper
out, that it will be TO the benefit of the sodieItha it
will result, 10 his benefit than grant would If
cured TO him his family his proper person. This is
what you about TO doabout which there is much
anxiety manifested at this moment The original bill
passed wlhoua solitary petition 10 Congress-goen
up for purposes OF specuation-goten up without
any foundation in The wants OF the soldier know that
there petitions before Congress- asking that the Off
mgb have bounty land warrants but the general
OF the soldiers throughout The country had never
sent you petition, thai heard of asking you 10
lhrow Tie lands 10 lnis system OF
But it has gone until you have entirely departed
from the original purpose, and have made these war
rans-these bouBes-the basis OF a paper circulating
medium by which the whole mass Of the public lands
may be bought up on speculation.
| But will say Take your vote, and pass
the bill.
Mr. HAMLIN am myself dssrous that this bill
shall pass bu, apprchend tina, there be prospect
now OF its passage-not the slightest in the world We
have adopted sundry amendments which must to the
House for their concurrence II may not 90 there or II II
should have time 10 20 there, II may not receive Their
favorable action; ii it should be concurred in by
them ii never be enrolled as to be made law.
There is upon your table another bllhe lighthouse
bill--whch The House have passed, and which appre
bend the Senate would pass without any DELAY there
fore to lay this bill upon the table for the purpose
Of taking up the lighthouse bill.
The question being taken upon laying the JOINT resou
ton upon the table, II was not agreed to.
The question being then taken upon the PASSAGE OF
the bill. by yeas and nays, it decided in the airma
tve-yeas 81, nays io-as followss #n
YEAs--Mcssr, Atchison, Badger, b ,dwn. Bell, Bar
Clemens Cooper, Dsvi, OF Massachuset. Dawson, Doug
las Downs. Fooe, Greene, Hale, Hamln Hunter, Mason
Miller Morton, Norris, Psarce. Pcau, Rheu, Rusk Sebas
an, Seward Shields, spruance, Underwood, UPham and
NAYS-Messrs Chase. Davis OF Mississippi, Dodge o
Wisconsin, Dodge Of Iowa, Ewing, felch, Jones, King
Smith, aud Waker-l0.
RELIEF RIrcHIE.
Mr.. FOOTE | want very much to get up Joint reso
lnon from the House (No. 35) for the relief OF Thomas
Riichie.
! A SENATOR That will cause debate
Mr.. FOOTE. ! move to postpone all the prior orders
for the purpose OF taking up join, resolution No. 80.
! MIR. CLAY. | second the motion, and express an
anxious desire that j, may be agreed TO-
| Mr. SEWARD | call for the yeas and nays