The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-02-25

the pressure OF business, was 70 suspend TINS RUE
for the remainder Of the session. and 70 return TO
the practice Of the House which obtained at the
foundation Of the Government. He felt II to DO his
duty to make this statement to relieve himself from
the responsibility if the failure of those bills shall
occur. 1t was disagreeabe TO him TO present him.
self in an attitude TO dragon the House. But he
could not help it. He had a duty to perform, and
would continue to discharge it, disagreeabe as it
was.
FRENCH spoLIArIoSs.
Mr.. MoCLERNAND said that he did not propose
to enter into any discussion the bill immedi-
ately before the committee, but TO speak with re-
gard to that bill proposing indemnity to American
citizens for spoliations their commerce prior to
hundred.
MIR. MCDONALD rose to a question of order-on
the ground OF irrelevancy.
The CHAIRMAN overruled the point.
Mr.. MCDONALD having appealed from the de-
cision. the Chair was sustained-ayessO, noes rs.
Mr.. McCLERNAND then opposed the French
Spoliation BILL and stated the general grounds OF
Government not only did not recognise its liability
for these claims under the treaty with France, but
it further appeared that it did not intend to do So
the claims were originally based, we were absolved
from all obligation. The claims, in addition, were
extnguished by the operation of war. The Su-
preme Court Of the United States had settled this
question. In summing up his arguments, he said
that the five millions Of dollars proposed to be ap
propriated would cause cmbarr assment to the trea
sury, and that the money would not 60 to the orig-
and claim agents, whose influence appeared TO rem
der this measure Irresistible.
Mr.. VINTON said he was satisfied that il would
be impossible to get through with the general ap-
and in his opinion they cannot be passed without
suspending the five minutes rule. Experience has
shown this. Therefore, he moved that the COM
mittee rise, that he might offer resolution to ter
inmate the general debate.
The committee rose, when he offered resolution
TO close the debate in thirty minutes after the House
shall again go into committee.
Under the operation OF tho previous question, the
resolution was agreed to.
STEAMERS.
The House again went into committee, when
Mr.. STANTON, Of Tennessee, indicated the TO.
pics ofa speech which he intended to make the other
day, while the bill for the establishment Of line of
steamers from California to China was pending. He
spoke in favor Of lines to connect the United States
with the great divisions of the globe. As TO the
general proprcty Of such a system, he referred to
one fact. South Carolina has established line Of
steamers connecting her with Europe. Il was not
necessary to say any thing as to the particular de-
sign of that State, but he supposed che was prepar
ing for separate state Of existence. Whether she
contemplates this Immediately not the fact that
she is prepared for such line il significant of the
general propriety OF the policy. England, he had
been informed, ia quietly laying the keels of ves-
sells designed to command the great trade Of the
of line to Africa had been agitated in Great Brit
ain. The idea awakened no doubt by the
proposition he reported during the last session of
Mr. JOHN A. KING, as the best mode Of replv-
ing to MIR. McCLERNANp, read from a small PAM
phIet, giving brief reasons why the sufferers by
the French spoliations prior TO 1900 should be in
IDENTIFIED BY their own government; the last para
graph of which 10 az follows:
"The irresistible conclusion from the preceding
facts, supported BY the uncontradicted testimony
OF many OF the most eminent Statesmen known in
our country, and who were personally cognizant of
ri II in nae AN IF he
property of private citizens has been used To pur-
chase for the Government relense from treaty OBJ
legations, which, had they been insisted on by
France and performed by us, would have led to in.
calculable national injury
"The Constitution Of the United States (article s
of amendments) provides that private property
shall not be taken for the public use without just
compensation
''In the words of Edward livingston, himself an
active participant in the politics Of that day, If go
can there be doubt, independent of the constitu-
demnity? Under that provision, is not this right
converted Into one that zoe under the most SOL
emn obligation to satiyy7'"
Mr.. MOORE (but three minutes and half re-
manning of the limitation to the general debate)
said that he had intended to reply % MIR. McCLER-
NANp, but az time was not permitted he would
take opportunity Of writing out what he had
intended to say in favor of the claims for French
spoliations. a5wew
LIGHTHOUSES. FL
Mr.. EVANS, of Maryland, gave notice that.
when the committee shall come to that part of the
bill making appropriations for lighthouses, he
intended to show that we have the most inefficient
lighthouse sysem in the world, the worst illumina-
ton, and the most expensive 1t has been rejected
by the rest OF the civilized world. He proposed
that the Secretary of the Treasury adopt q new
system, to which he referred
The time to which the general debate was limit
ed now arrived.
The CHAIRMAN said that he should hold gen.
tlemen, in their remarks, strictly to explanations
opposition to the amendments which may be Of
fered.
MILEAGE.
The first clause of the bill having been read s'for
compensation and mileage of Senators, members
of the House Of Representatives., and Delegates,
eight hundred and thirty five thousand and forty
dolars," ETC.
Mr.. MCDONALD proposed to amend the proviso,
that the mileage may be computed by the "nearest"
mail route. He desired reform not liable to the
abuses of the old system. If his amendment should
be adopted, the Committee on Mileage would have
nothing to do but ascertain from the Post Office De-
partment which is the nearest mail route from
Washington city to the place of residence of the
member.
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Arkansas, said that this sub.
ject had been often discussed that it was not en-
titled to respectful considerations and he expressed
the hope that those opposed to the amendment
would not enter into the debate.
MIR. STEPHENS, of Georgia. proposed to amend
the amendment, by substituting that the mileage
shall be computed by the "usuap' mail route; and
it was agreed to.
Several other amendments were offered, and the
proviso Of the section amended to read as fol-
lows:
"That the mileage Of Senators. Representatives,
and Delegates shall hereafter be computed on the
usual route, reported by the Post Office Depart
ment, by which the mails transported from the
capital to the residence of such Senator Represent
alive, or Delegate. And provided further, That no
such member Of either branch Of Congress residing
east of the Rocky mountains, shalt receive more
than one thousand dollars mileage for each session.
and no such member or delegate residing west Of
the Rocky mountains shall receive more than two
thousand dollars mileage for each session. nor shall
any member Of the Senate receive mileage for any
session of that body which may be called to meet
within thirty days after the adjournment of both
Houses of Congress- uness the travel for which such
mileage is charged has actually been performed
Two Intellectual attempts wcro made 70 further
amend the section.
Other amendments were acted on; when the COM
mttee rose.
On motion Of Mr.. BAYLY, it was resolved that
the House WILL for the remainder of the session. ex