The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-06-01

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

MONDAY May, 81, 1852.
The journal of yesterday having been read
Mr.. SlBLEY moved to postpone the considera-
ton OF reports from committees for the purpose
of taking up bills in relation to territorial business
After a brief conversation, the motion was dis
agreed to.
LAND FOR RAILROADS.
Mr. HALL moved to postpone the further con-
sderation Of the motion to lay Oh the table the
motion to reconsider the vote by which the House
laid on the table the Iowa land bill. As this was
very important bill, and the House was thin.
he would move to postpone the further considera-
ton Of the subject until Tuesday week.
And the question being taken, the motion was
agreed to-yeas 10, nays so.
Mr. JONES, of Tennessee, suggested to the
House that as there were great many members
absent, he thought would be best to all sid es and
al! interests that all q these contested questions
should be withheld until after the adjournment Of
the Baltimore Convention.
Mr.. SACKET desired to offer resolution tn
carry out the object proposed by the gentleman
from Tennessee but
Mr.. FOWLER objected, and insisted on the
regular order of business.
The Speaker thereupon called the committees
for reports
Mr. ORR, from the Committee on Public Lands.
reported bill granting the right of way and
portion fthe public lands to the States of Florida
ana Alabama for the construction of certain rail-
roads in said States which was read twice
Mr.. o. said that he was instructed by the COM
mttee to move to put this bill on its passage.
The bill provided for the construction OF two Of
the most important railroads, in his judgment,
that had been referred to the Committee on Public
Lands. The first road embraced in the provisions
of the bill proposed to connect the Atlantic ocean
with the Gulf of Mexico across the peninsuIar Of
FLORIDA. The length of the road would perhaps
be about $50 miles, and would pass through a
barren waste If constructed, it would be most
valuable to the government in time Of war and to
commercial gentlemen in time of peace.
The second road provided for in the bill was
from Pensacola Bay to Montgomery, in Alaba ma.
with branch in the direction of the Chattahoochie
river, to intersect the Georgia road The same
remarks would apply to this as to the first named
road.
The land which would be required for the con-
structon of these roads would probably amo unit
to about one million seven hundred thousand
acres, and these roads would 30 enhance IT, e value
of the land, that land for which the government
could not now obtain ten cents, would then bring
two dollars and a half per acre.
Before Mr.. 0. concluded his remarks, the morn
ing hour expired, when
ADJOURNMENT.
The House proceeded to consider the motion
made by Mr.. HARRIS, of Tennessee on Mondav
last, to suspend the rules so as to enable him to
offer resolution providing for the adjournment
Of the House on the first Monday in August, at
IL o'clock m.
Mr.. SACKETT moved to postpone the resoIu-
ton until Monday next, as the House was thin.
Mr.. CLINGMAN moved the previous on es-
ton, the effect of which, he said would be to cut
off the motion to postpone.
Mr.. SACKETT said that as the previous ques
ton was named he would move to lay the resolu-
ton on the table.
The motion was lost--yeas sc, nays 49,
Mr.. HARRIS then modified his resolution so as
to make it a joint resolution
After numerous motions and suggestions, the
further consideration of the re solution was most
poned until Monday next.
Mr. SACkETT moved a suspension Of the
rules so as to enable him to offer resolution pro-
vldIng that when the House adjourn to morrow,
IT adjourn to meet on Friday next. He thought
this was no more than courtesy to the Democratic
side Of the House.
The motion 10. suspend was agreed to, and the
question being on the resolution
Mr.. BELL, before voting for the resolution
wished to know the desire Of their brethren on
the Democratic side Of the House.
Mr.. POLK. We are opposed to the resolution
and don't want an adjournment.
Mr.. SMART. For one, desire an adjourn
ment.
The question was then taker, on the resolution.
and it was lost--veas So, nays lr2
MIR. JONES, OF Tennessee, yhought it was verv
evident that they were going ID do no good ere
in the next two days FOLLOWING the example Of
the senate, ne would move/that when the House
adjourn to-day, it adjourn to meet on Thursday
next
Mr.. McMuLLIN requested the gentleman
from Tennessee to withdraw his motion II il
should be offered by n gentleman on the Wing
side, he would vote for it, and would, when the
Wing Convention should meet make similar
motion.
SEVERAL VoIcrs. Why did the Democrats
vote down the last notion
The motion of Mr. JONES was not agreed to-
yeas 65, nays II.
On motion of Mr. BRIGGS, the vote by which
The House rejected the resolution of Mr.. SAcKErr
was then reconsidered, and the resolution was
agreed to by vote Of 60 yeas to 81 nays.
So 1t was ordered that when the House adj
journ tomorrow it adjourn to meet on Friday
next.
The House then adjourned.