The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-31
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

TUESDAY, March 80, 1852.
Prayer and reading Of the journal.
LOUISIANA RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. PENN, Of Louisiana, presented certain
joint resolutions Of the legislature of that State
FALLS OF LOUISVILLE.
Mr.. MARSHALL, of Kentucky, asked the
unanimous consent ofthe House to offer resolu-
ton, calling upon the President of the United
States for the original report of Capt. Thomas J.
Crane, relative to the mode ofimproving the nav
igation ofthe Falls of Louisville.
No objection being made, the resolution was
received and agreed to.
MAINE RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. FULLER, of Maine asked and obtained
leave to present certain joint resolutions of the le
gislature fthat State.
FOUNDATIONS OF THE NEW WINGS OF THE CAPITOL.
Mr. BEALE. of Virginia. from the select COM
mittee, appointed to examine and inquire into the
permanency and stability Of the foundations now
laid for the new wings ofthe capitol, asked the
unanimous consent of the House for leave TO
report but
Objection being made, leave was not granted.
PASSENGERS IN SHIPS.
Mr.. SEYMOUR, of New York, asktd the unan-
imols consent Of the House to enable him to sub.
nit a motion to take up for consideration Senate
bill in amendment Of the laws regulating the car
riage Of passengers on shpboard, &c.
Objection being made, leave was not granted
FLoGcMG IN THE NAVY.
The Speaker stated that the regular order of
business was motion made yesterday tn Law on
the table the motion Of Mr.. MILLsoN, of Virginia,
to reconsider the vote rejecting the bill from the
Senate, as amended and reported by the House
Committee on Naval Affairs, to enforce discipline
and promote good conduct in the naval service of
the United States.
Without coming to a vote on the question,
THE HOMESTEAD BILL.
The House resolved itself into Committee of
the Whole on the state Of the Union, and took up
the bill entitled g An act for the promotion OF
commerce, manufactures, &C., granting l60 acres
Of the public lands to citizens of the United
States heads Of families, upon condition of actual
occupancy for specified length Of time.
Mr.. FULLER, of Maine, spoke in opposition
to the bill. He believed it to be illegal, unjust and
partial in its provisions. He asked what right
had set Of persons-aens, foreigners or Ameri-
can citizens Of limited age, and Of any particular
condition in domestic or pecuniary affalrs-to
come here and ask this government gratuitously
to assign and set off to them portion of the pub
lie domain, the common property ofall the people
of the United States, to the exclusion of greater
privileges He was opposed to any Of the thou.
sand and one schemes now before Congress for
the disposition of the public lands.
Mr.. CHURCHWELL, of Tennessee, replied
to the remarks of Mr.. FULLER, Of Maine, and
strongly advocated the bill. He had examined
all the schemes before Congress for the disposition
of the public domain, and he preferred this above
all others. The adoption of such propos ton
would advance the interests of government, OF
individuals and society, and the moral nature Of
man. 1t provided for all, and would benefit all.
Mr.. GROW, Of Pennsylvania, followed, and
denied the position that government had right 10
make the public lands source of revenue. Con.
gress might well try to prevent dying man
from nhaling the atmosphere, and attempt to dole
out the rays of the sun.
He entered into an argument to show that, by
the adoption of system like this, our government
would derive more revenue, consumption of man
uactured articles would be increased and at the
same time the tenant would be the producer Of the
necessaries Of life.
Mr.. SHELTON, of New Jersey, also advocat
ed the bill.
Mr.. WILLIAMS, ofTennessee, took the floor
when the committee rose.
Mr.. CLARK, of Iowa, moved to close debate
on the homestead bill in two hours, after the com
mittee shall again resume its consideration,
Pending which motion the House adjourned.