The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-08

Mr.. DOWNS moved TO amend the amendment,
80 to increase the whole number OF Repr senta-
tives To 235, and thus allow Louisiana an additional
member for her fraction Of 40 900.
debate cnsucd, in which the proposition To
allow California two members and South Carolina
one for her fraction, advocated by Messra.
G WIN, WELLER, RUSK. SHIELDS. and Dor
LAND, and opposed by Mcssrs. DAVIS, DAW-
SON, BELL, HALE, and UNDERWOOD.
And Mr.. DOWNS, rising TO address the Senate,
at near four O'clock, yielded the floor TO motion
to adjourn
!. DEFICIENCY BILL.
During the debate the Apportionrnent bill,
| Mr.. HUNTER, by leave OF the Senate reported the
Deficiency bill, with numerous amendments, which
were ordered to be printed. Mr. II said he would
| call the bill up on Monday.
| The Senate then adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
| Mr.. HEM, from the Committee on Public
| Lands, reported a bill for the relief Of f. L. Swa-
zcy; which was referred to the Committee OF the
Whole on the state Of the Union.
Also, the Senate bill extending the time (untit
the first Of January, 1854 for the selection OF
line lands granted to Wisconsin for school pur.
poses; which was passed.
| PUBLIC LANDs ron RAILROAD PURPosEs.
| Mr.. HEM, from the Committee Public
Lands, also reported bill granting the right OF
| way and a donation Of the public lands 10 did in
| decentralization OF a railroad from the Wabaeh to
the Missouri river He said that the bill was
ported back with sundry amendments, and with
| accommodation that 1t be passed. He merely
wished to remark that the bill ia Of great deal Of
imp ,rtance, particularly to tho central portion of
| the United States, from the East to the West, com
| mencng particularly ut Philadelphia, and extend
ing in connection with other roads, to the Missouri
| river. 1t is that Pennsylvania could vote for
without ten per cent tariff on their iron. II has
| been made to conform to other bills of the same
character which have been reported from the Conn
| mittee on Public Lands. Were it not that this
House has determined to refer those bills, he would
ask for the passage of the one just reported at this
| time. But such being the action of the House, he
moved that it be referred to the Committee of the
Whole on the state Of the Union; which motion
was agreed to.
| THE TARIFr-RAILaoAp IRON.
/ MIR. ORR, from the Committee ON Public Lands
reported bill granting the right OF way, and max
! ing donation of land to the State Of Florida, for
the benefit of the Atlantic Gulf, and Central Rail-
| road, and for other purposes.
| The bill having been read first time by its
| title
MIR. HOUSTON inquired whether it contained
section aboshng the duty on railroad irons
Mr.. ORR said that the gentleman would ascer-
tain the TACT when the bill shall have been read
| through
| Mr.. HOUSTON remarked that a direct answer
would prevent the consumption Of time. II such
a section was In the bill, he proposed 10 make "a
| point Of order upon it
MIR. ORR said he should have no objection to
| giving an answer, were it not an unusual proceed
ing for gentleman to rise in his place and cate
/ chisc member OF committee on the second
| reading of bill.
| Mr.. HOUSTON. Not at all. 1t was not
usual or improper. He understood that there
section in the bill proposing TO abolish duty
railroad iron. If this WAS true, he intended to
| make point OF order as 10 whether il was compc-
| tent for the Committee on the Public Lands 10 re-
| port it,
Mr.. ORR. Such being the purpose of the gem
| teman from Alabama, he said that there a
-ton in the bill proposing to abolish all duties on
MIR. HOUSTON then made his point Of order:
| that the provision reported by the Committee
! Public Lands modified abolished the duty one
| or more articles embraced in the revenue laws Of
| the country.
The bill was read, when
| Mr., HOUSTON, in support Of bis point Of order.
referred to the duties Of the Committee on the Pub
| lie Lands, prescribed by the rules, namely: "to
take into consideration all such petitions and mat
tiers or things respecting the lands Of the United
States as shall be presented, or shall or may come
in question: and be referred 10 them by the House;
and to report their opinion thereon, together with
such propositions for relief therein to them shall!
seem expedieni;" and TO the duties of the Com
| mittec Of Ways and Means viz: "to take into
sderation all such reports Of the Treasury Depart
ment, and llsuch propositions relative TO the
enue as may be referred TO them by the House; To
inquire into the state OF the public debt or the rev
| enue, and Of the expenditure, and to report from
time to time their opinion thereon" This last.
named rule required matters Of finance md the
tariH to be referred TO the Committee Of Ways and
Means. and the duty Of the Committee on the Pub
| lie Lands has no Legislative connection with it.
| MIR. JOHNSON, of Arkansas, controvertcd tbis
| position. and commended that committee is enti
tied to consider and present every thing which
relates incidentally 10 the subjects which may
come before it. He protested against any partic-
ular part of the bill being picked out and object,
to, when II comes from committee and Ia reported
as m original proposition.
Mr.. CLING MAN briefly expressed bis views
against the point Of order.
Mr.. JOHNSON r. sumcd, merely desiring TO say
that the result Of the proposed by the gen
tieman from Alabama Mr.. Housros) would re-
suit in carrying all the business, now md hercaf
ter, to the Committee of Ways and Means, which,
as has been often acknowledged, has too much
business before II, and which cannot be transacted
with foil justice To the country.
Mr. BAfLY, OF Virginia, expressed bis dissent
from the views OF the gentleman, and said that If
they should be carried into practice the Houso
would be involved in infinite enhancement
The rcason Tor the rule which requires no commit
tee to report on a subject which has not been
mittcd to II is, that, when committees are called
for reports, IT sha not be in their power 10 thrust
upon the House matters which the House have not
espresscd their Willingness to entertain. He in
sisted upon the strict enforcement of the rule.
Mr. STANTON, OF Tennessee, understood il wss
objected that particular section of tho bill
IN order; but the TACT OF this section being there did
not impose upon the Housc the necessity Of adopt
ing it, The sense of tho House could be as well
taken the policy of nbolisbine tho duty rail.
road iron, in "a bill from the Committee on Public
Lands, as in one coming from the Committee Of
Ways and Means. Bot he should like 10 know by
what process any one section OF the bill can be ELI
minated.
The SPEAKER decided that tho subject Of rcduc.
ing or abolishing the duty on railroad iron did not
belong to the Committee on the Public Lands, but
TO the Committee Of Ways and Means.
Mr. CLlNGMAN appealed from the decision Of
the Chair; and replied to tho remarks Of Mr..
DAyLy
Nj. JONES, of Tennessee, enid that he bad en-
tire confidence In the of the decision Of
The Chair; and moved TO lay the appeal upon the
table.
Mr.. ORR demanded the yeas aud nayr which
ordered.
MIR. BROOKS inquired ne to the state OF the qucs-
ton before the Hous,Y
The SPEAKER informed him that objection was
made 20 the second reading OF the bill
MIR. BROOKS said that, while be agreed with
the Chair ON the principle laid down. vet no was
unwilling to votc against receiving the report from
the Committee On tbe Public Lsnds
The SPEAKER was understood 20 say that Tho
gentleman would have an opportunity 90 vote in
accordance with hrs views
Mr.. STANLY inqoired whether the Chair dc
cidcd this bill out OF order because IL included
provision relative to the du,y on railroad iron.
The SPEAKER replied, Yea.
Mr.. sfANLY. think you arc right.
No aI,Is ..ss l.. a.. "a.