The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-06-08
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
MONDAY, June 7, 1859.

The journal of Friday having been read
The House proceeded to consider the bill grant
ing to the several States of the Union ten millions
acres Of the public lands for the benefit of their
INDECENT insane, the consideration of which was
postponed until this day, the question pending be-
ing referring the bill to the Committee ofthe Whole
on the state Of the Union.
Mr.. STANLY said that he did not desire to
discuss the bill, as tlrat had been done heretofore:
but as he considered the reference ofthe bill equiv
alent to its defeat, he would demand the yeas and
nays on the motion to refer.
Mr.. HOUSTON thought that if the House
would discharge its duty the reference of the bill
would not be its defeat. If they would proceed
to discharge the business of the country, instead
+ OF making Presidential speeches in committee, it
would be an easy matter to dispose Of all the bills
referred to the Committee of the Whole.
Mr.. BlSSELL said that two weeks ago the bill
came before the House, and had been before the
House at different times for the last two wears.
Il was the desire Of the friends of the BILL vixen
It was flrst reported, to put it upon its passage,
he considered that its reference would be its de-
feat, but as some gentlemen said thew had not
had time to examine the bill, it was POSTPONED
until this day Two weeks had passed bv the
bill was now before the House, gentlemen had
mad an opportunity to examine it, and trusted
that all who did design to defeat this most ex
ceent measure, would vote to put it on its pas
sage.
Mr.. HALL then withdrew the motion to refer
the bill to the Committee of the Whole
Mr.. CLEVELAND wished to state that unless
this bill should be passed, the old States would
not obtain one of the public lands He
therefore called upon gentlemen from the old
States to sustain it.
Mr.. RUSSELL supported the bill on higher
grounds than the gentleman; he supported the
bill on the ground of humanity to the most un
fortunate class of our fellow citizens. He moved
the previous question touching it would be sus-
tanned
Mr.. ORR said that the previous question cut
off a motion to refer the bill, he would move to
lay it on the table.
The motion was ost--ayes sc, noes us.
The House then returned to second the demand
tor the previous question, when
Mr. SiBLEY moved an amendment to the bill.
before the reading of which--the morning hour
having expired
ADJOURNMENT.
The House proceeded to consider the Joint reso-
luton of MIR. HARRIS, of Tennessee, (Which was
postponed TIL this dayD providing that the Presi-
dent of the Senate and the Speaker of the House
of Representatives close the present session of
Congress by an adjournment of their respective
Houses, on Monday, the second day of August
next, at the hour of ~ clock, M.
Mr.. RICHARDSON, although he was as desi-
rous as any one to bring Congress to n close at
the earliest practicable day, did not think they
could transact all the public business by the time
therefore
that the 10th day of August be the time fixed for
adjournment.
The amendment was agreed to, as was also the
resolution amended.
Mr. JONES, of Kentucky, asked leave to in
troduce a resolution passed at large meeting he'd
IN Syracuse, New York, requesting him to urge
upon Congress the immediate passage of law
granting to Thomas Francis Meagher the rights
of citizenship Of this government without the for
maity of the present law of naturalization.
Objection being made,
Mr.. JONES moved . suspension of, the rules.
Mr.. STEPHENS, of Georgia, said that Con-
gress had no power to pass such law.
MIR. McLANAHAN said that the Judiciary
Committee had decided.
The motion to suspend was negatived
TERRITORIAL BUSINESS
Cn motion of Mr.. RICHARDSON, the House
then proceeded to consider bills on the table re-
latng to the territories
The first bill taken up was the bill for the con-
struction of military roads in Oregon, which,
after debate was read the third time and passed.
The following bills were then considered, read
the third time and passed.
bill to authorize the Legislative authorities of
the several territories to control the approp
to he made by Congress for the support of the
government of said territories.
bill making provision for the comrletion of
public buildings in the territory of Minnesota
bill regulating the salaries Of officers in the
territories Of the United States
bill TO establish and run boundary line be-
tween the State of Texas and the territories of
the United States.
Pending the consideration of the bill making an
preparations for the construction Of certain road.
in Minnesota,
The House adjourned until to morrow.