The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-08
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
"WEDNESDAY. April Z,

"WEDNESDAY, April z.
Mr.. FLORENCE, from Pennsylvania, submit
ted the memorial of William Emmons, sen., pray
ing for the extension of the patent of Ur EN-
planning machine.
The SPEAKER proceeded to call for the re-
ports from committees, commencing with the
Committee on Public Lands.
Mr. HEM, from Iowa, submitted bill ex-
tending the time for selecting public lands in the
State of Wisconsin: which was passed.
Mr.. ORR, from South Carolina, from the Com
mttee on Public Lands, reported bill, granting
the right Of way and portion of the public lands,
towards opening railroad from St. Mary's river
in Florida to Pensacola bay.
Mr.. HOUSTON, from Alabama, called for the
reading Of the bill, having understood that one of
it's sections went to modify the tariff by abolish
ing the duty on railroad iron; and contended thai
the committee had no power to report on sub
iect that belonged exclusively to the Committee
Of Ways and Means, which at present has it un-
der consideration.
Mr.. JOHNSON, from Arkansas, said if the
rule under which the objection made, were
rigidly enforced, it might happen that business of
the House Of the most important description
would never be brought before it; and contended
that the Committee on Public Lands had right
to report whatever came incidentally before 1t.
He concluded by protesting against the course
that had been pursued by the gentleman from
Alabama.
Mr.. CLINGMAN, from North Carolina, called
the attention of the House to the rule; and as un
der it no objection had been made to the Commit
tee of Public Lands reporting, with reference to
railroads, he conceived it therefore competent
for it to introduce the section objected to in the
BILL
Mr. BAYLY, from Virginia, said if the argu-
ment Of the gentleman from Arkansas were to pre-
vail, much embarrassment must ensue; the reason
for the rule being, that committees should not
thrust upon the House matters of an extraneous
nature.
The SPEAKER dec ;ded that it did not belong
to the Committee on Public Lands to report with
reference to abolishing the duty on railroad iron,
but to the Committee of Ways and Means, and
therefore that the bill, which had been reported
was not in order.
Mr.. CLINGMAN appealed against the deci-
eion Of the Speaker; and commended that while the
Committee on Public Lands exercises such ex.
tensive powers with reference to the disposal OF
public lands and involving so large an amount of
revenue, no improperly existed in their reporting
relative to the small amount derived from railroad
iron.
Mr.. JONES, Of Tennessee, moved to lay the
appeal on the table; upon which
Mr.. CLINGMAN called for the yeas and nays;
And the motion was carried--Yeas 1875, nays %.
The House, after one or two other reports were
received from the Committee on Public Lands
resolved itself into Committee Of the Whole on
the state Of the Union, and again took up the
Homestead bill.
/ Mr.. WARD, of Kentucky, replied to an attack
made upon General Scott by Mr.. CABELL, Of
| Florida, on a former day. He eulogzed the char
acter of that officer at considerable length, and
went on to define the position of the Wing party
/ the interests of which he considered as being
| sacrificed in contest for men. The nominees by
i the Democratic party--who, he said, nothwith
| standing their minor differences would vote M
one man-were all in favor of the compromise
measures, which all hands admitted General Scot
| was instrumental in connecting, and whose sym
! pathies are with the South, where he was edu
Gated.
II Mr-AVERETT, of Virginia, said he did MOI
come to Congress to wage a war with reference to
4 President making, which was too much the prac-