The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-07-16
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
THURSDAY, July is, 1856:


The journal Of yesterday having been read
On motion of Mr.. SIBLY,a resolution was
adopted instructing the Committee on Public
Lands to inquire into the expediency Of establish
ing one or more additional land Offices in Mime
sofa, and provide for the appointment ola surveyor
general for said territory.
RAILROAD GRANTS.
The House proceeded to consider the bill, here
tofOre reported from the Committee on Public
Lands, granting the right Of way and portion Of
the public lands to the States Of Florida and Ala
bama for the construction of certain railroads in
said Stsles the question being on the motion to
refer it to the Committee Of the Whole on the
state Of the Union, made by Mr.. JONES, Of Ten
nessee, when the bill was last under consideration.
Mr.. CABELL, of Florida, called the attention
of the House to the fact that this bill had been
before Congress since 1896. He stated that il
provided for railroad from Pensacola TO Mont
gomery, and one from the peninsula Of Florida to
connect the Pacific and the Gulf Of Mexico. He
adverted to the importance Of these roads in
national point Of view, and said that they passed
through section Of country the lands of which,
without the construction of this road, would not
be worth five cents per acre. In conclusion, he
demanded the previous question.
Mr.. MILLSON moved call Of the House,
which was not agreed to-yeas IS, nays 1903.
The previous question then seconded.
Mr., HARRIS, of Tennessee, moved to lay the
bill on the table; which was not agreed to--yeas
Is, nays 81.
The question was then taken on the motion to
refer the bill to the COMMITTEES of the Whole on
the state of the Union, and it was decided in the
negative-yeas 70, nays 70.
The morning hour having expired
PUBLIC PRINTING.
On motion Of Mr. GORMAN, the House pro-
ceeded TO consider the bill yesterday reported
from the Committee on Printing, proposing the
election of public printer, the abolition Of the
contract system, and the rates to be paid for the
printing of Congress-
Mr.. GORMAN explained the bill, stating that
it repealed the contract system, provided for the
election of public printer, and fixed the prices,
the government to buy the paper In conclusion,
he said that the prices had heretofore been dis
cussed. the merits of printing bureau, Of elect
ing printer, and Of buying the paper, had also
been discussed Believing that the subject was
well understood, he moved the previous question.
Many gentlemen appealed to Mr.. g. to with
draw the demand for the previous question, but he
declined.
The House then refused to second the demand
for the previous question.
Mr.. JENKINS submitted substitute for the
bill, and moved that it be printed and postponed
until tomorrow.
After good deal Of confusion and some con-
versation, the motion Of Mr.. JENKINS was agreed
to.
INDIAN BILL.
On motion of Mr. HOUSTON, the House then
went into Committee of the Whole on the state of
the Union (Mr. DISNEY, Of Ohio, in the chair,)
and resumed the consideration of the Indian APP
preparation bill.
Various gentlemen addressed the committee in
advocacy Of amendments which they gave notice
they intended to offer to the bill at the proper
time
The Committee rose,