The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-07

|
| He then yielded the floor to
| MIR. ATCHlSON, who moved the Senate ad-
! journ; and the motion was agreed to.
| And the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Mr.. McLANAHAN asked the unanimous con-
sent OF the House to take up the Senate bill con-
corning the scssions of the courts of the United
States for the district Of Delaware. There being
no objection, the bill was considered and passed.
I THE PATENT OFFICE REpoRT-.rHE PUBLIC PRINTISo.
| The House resumed the consideration Of the re-
solution reported from the Committee on Print
ing. that there be printed for the OF the House
OF Representatives fifty thousand copies of the me.
chanical portion of the Patent Office report, and
three thousand additional copies for the use Of the
Commissioner Of Patents.
Mr.. CLIsdMAs had moved the following. viz:
g That the said resolution be committed to the
Committee on Printing, and that they hereby
instructed to report to this House what, if any
rangement, has been made to have the public
printing executed; and. il any other than the
public printer has been employed, to report
what prices they have agreed to pay; and that
tho said committee be instructed to let out such
printing as the present contractor cannot execute
to the lowest responsible bidder, after ten days.
notice"
And Mr.. DAYLY had moved to amend the above
instructions by making it joint resolution, 60 as
to require the action Of the two Houses upon it.
Toe SPEAKER decided this amendment to be
out of order, for reasons stated. M
MIR. BAYLY remarked that the objection, he
thought, came too late. His object in Offering the
amendment was to exhibit the absurdity OF one
House undertaking to instruct joint committee,
whose duties are defined by law. He should not,
however, appeal.
The instructions moved by Mr.. CLISGMAN were
then agreed to-ayes 95, noes not counted.
PUBLIC LANDS FOR RAILROAD PURPOSES.
Mr.. FREEMAN, from the Committee on Public
Lands, reported back Senate bills severally giving
the right Of way and donations Of lands to Misss.
Ind md rka
fer railroad purposes. These bills were referred to
the Committee of the Whole on the state of the
Union.
THE HOMESTEAD BILL
The House resumed the consideration of the bill
to encourage agriculture, commerce, manufactures,
and all other branches OF industry, by granting to
every man who is the head OF family, and citi-
zen Of the United States, a homestead OF one hun
dred and sixty of land out OF the public do
main, upon condition of occupancy and cultivation
OF the sat.ie fot period of five years,
Mr.. HIBBAaD was called to preside over the COM
mittee.
The first section of the bill was read as follows
the part in italics being an amendment proposed
by the Committee Agriculture-viz:
'''Be IL enacted, SC, That every man or widow.
who is the head OF family, and citizen of the
United States, the first day Of January, eighteen
huadrfd and fifty ttoo, tco Is not the otoner OF any
land, ,oorih the sam Of fUs hundred do lars, and
,pho has disposed Of his her land for the purpose
Of obtaining the benefit Of the provisions Q this act,
titled TO enter, free OF COST quarter section OF
vacant and unappropriated public lands, or guam
tity equal thereto, to be located in body, in con-
iormity with the legal subdivisions OF the public
lands, and after the same shall have been sur
veyed"
MIR. MOORE Of Louisiana, moved to strike out
the words "nor worth more than the sum Of five
hundred dollars" He said that the section, as re-
ported, would give land to man worth 499, or
less than $500, but none to the man who was worth
dollar more Than that sum Itwould be strong
temptotion to perjury. and would make an invidi-
Gus distinction. The object was To bring the lauds
into cultivation. and great good would result from
their settlement by men who possess over five hun
dred dollars.
MIR. JOHNSON, of Tennessee, said that the sub
sti,ute for the section which he intended to offer
would set the matter right, doing away with such
a distinction. He appealed TO the friends OF the
measure 10 adopt il; and tlSn the bill would be as
perfect, probably, il could be made in the House,
for it was not TO be expected that every member
could be satisfied. He took il for granted that the
Senate would do something with view to render
the bill more complete. IL was impossible for gen
teInen 10 get all they want The object should DC 10
e the Government committed to this great policy,
and tie de:octs could be rcmedied hereafter. After
having routed the enemy, "horse, foot, and dra-
guons," and driven him from the held, shall the
friends Of this measure, after their struggle
give up the contest, and suffer the fruits, like those
vi the Dead sea, TO 'tDrn 20 ashes on their lips.
The amendments o: Mr.. MooRg was then agreed
10.
strike out "l552," and insert "ls53," expressed
bic views against the measure, saying that he be.
lOngca To the school OF 1899, which maintained a
strict construction Of the Constitution. The bill
was bascd mainly on the old doctrine OF Federal
ism, that the representative Ia not bound by the
sentiments Of bis constituents, but may lcgslate at
will for the public welfare" Congress must, be
insisted confine their action within the pale OF the
Constitution, aud not undertake TO give gratuites
to any particular class Of men.
Mr.. SwEETSER said he was in favor Of e1.
tending the provisions Of this bill not only TO eti
zens. but 10 all who may come from abroad and
declare their intention 10 become such before en-
tcring upon the public lands Men in down trod-
den and Vanished Ireland, and In Germany, were
now holding up their hands, and praying that Con
gross may pass this bill. TINT they may iinnigrate
hi;hcr and share in some Of the benefits which our
Institutions confer.
The amendment Of Mr.. BEALE was rejected.
MIR STEVENS OF Pennsy lyanis, mo scd To strike
out the words "and who has not disposed of bis or
her land for the purpose Of obtaining tho benefit Of
the provisions Of this act" He underttood that
the five hundred dollar qualification had been
stric ken out; and knew Of TAO reason why man,
the owner of a farm in old STATE, wh, wishes To
improve his fortunes In new one, should not be
placed in the same condition a man who sells
bis person0l property. lie. him 60 there and
improve the land. IL s not dcsrablc that the coil
shall he cultivated by the poor altogether.
The country would be in a bad condition II IL was
settled altogether by paupers.
Mr.. McMULlEN begged the friends OF the Till
proposed by the gentleman from Pennsylvania,
they would defeat one Of the great objects Of the
measure.
Mr. AvERETT inquired Of his colleague whcth-
CT he would not ALLOW equality Of right because
man owns land
Dir. McMULLEN replied, bis colleague knew
that one half Of the laws pisscd by Congress are
equal in their operations. II the friends Of the
bill allow amendment after amendment, il might
be placed in such shape as 10 induce many oil
thOse most favorable to the principle 20 vote against
il. lie would not give one hundred and sixty acres
Of land 10 the who already has the means Of
living. The measure intended for the poor;
the riCh have advantages enough, and now u IL
proposed TO give them
The amendment of Mr. STEVENS agreed 10.
Mr. PARKER, OF Indiana. moved TO strike DOT
the words " who IL not the owner q any land;
aud after few words by that gentleman in sup
port of tho amendment. and by Dir. BEALT, who
further argued agAns; the consaiiutonaliiy OF the
bill, u WAS agreed 10.
Mr. SACKErT advocated the striking out VI all
limitations. DC great and important object was
that the pubic lands shalt be settled, occupied,
cad cultivated in view Of the consequences 10 flow
from this d sposition Of them. Therefore, there
should be no distinction IN comforting tho bounty
provided by the bill, 90 the object intended
by II lie wanted every citizen OF tbe United
State. a the Arc NJ tvsntv ono ypars and nm.