The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-29
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WEDNESDAY, April
rHf aARpNsR CLAM.

ll fsl
Mr.. OLDS. Of Ohio. asked lsays to introduce
a revolution requesting the Prssident to commu .
nicate all information collected by Mr. Gaorge
Slacum in Mexico, relative to the Gardner. Har-
gons, and other claims; also, why the pFoeecation
Of DR.. Gardner for perjury was 70 long ds1ayed
IN the criminal court of this District and whether
any member of the cabinet was concerned in the
advances made on the award in the said Gardner
claim.
Mr.. BROOKS objected, and the resolution was
not received
HOMESTEAD BILL.
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee. moved that the
House resolve itself into Committee of the Whole
on the state Of the Union; which motion was
agreed to--yeas l08, nays44.
Mr.. BROWN, Of NJ ississppi, who was entitled
to the floor, addressed the committee He claimed
to have been Of the earliest and rmest friends
Of this wise and humane policy of providing
homes for the homeless. This government was
the largest landed proprietor in the world, and
under the authority to dispose of and make all
needful rules and regulations respecting the terri
tory and other property of the United States.
Congress had, from time to time, disposed Of it's
territory for cash and credit, for school purposes,
for internal improvements, for bounties, and to
States for seats Of government, colleges, and uni
versities. 1t was idle, therefore, to dispute the
penary power of the government to dispose of
these lands, and to pass bill like this one pend
ing before the committee.
He then dilated upon the advantages which
would result from the adoption Of the bill before
the committee. and strongly argued to prove that
in many ways it would be conducive of the inter-
ests Of the government. He then explained the
substitute he had offeredfor the original bill.
Mr.. PARKER, of Indiana, followed, and al
luded to the remarks made by Mr.. STEPHENS, of
Georgia, Yesterday. and an article which appeared
in this mornings Republic, signed by some ten or
twelve Southern Wings. He explained the rea-
son why he voted to lay the compromise resolu-
caucus, stating that he did so because he did not
wish to this FIRE brand thrown into their midst.
He declared himself compromise man, and was
elected as such in strong abolition district Of
his State. He desired to be understood, and
would give his vote for no man for the Presidency
unless he should stand clear and unquestioned
upon the ground Of the compromise.
Although he objected to some of the features of
the fugitive slave law, he wodld abide by it, and
vote against its repeal II would not touch
hair of its head, unless the South should call for
it. The North were in favor Of this constitutional
right Of the South to the reclamation Of their
slaves, though it was useless to attempt to deny
that they were opposed to some Of its provisions.
But he did not believe the North desired to ngtate
this question They desired quiet and harmony,
and would stand by the Constitution as long as a
plank should be left.
He then referred to the bill under consideration,
and gave his views on the question Of the dispen-
saon of the public lands, giving notice that he
would move to refer this bill to select commit
tee, with instructions to report in its stead bill
which he had drawn up.
Mr.. WILLIAMS followed, arguing against the
constituiionality Of the measure under considera-
ton.
Mr.. MOORE, of louisiana, obtained the floor,
when
The Committee rose.
PROTECTION OF PArENrEEs.
Mr.. HASCALL, by unanimous consent pre-
canted t,Uh pettIons nne froro III ~ lhsov