The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-17

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS.

The President pro ten. laid before the Senate a
communication from the Comm ssoner Of Patents,
transmitting that portion Of the patent report for
the year 1851, which relates to the arts and man
ufactures.
The Commissioner states that the report has
been delayed TO allow the completion Of the re-
port OF Mr.. Riddle, commissioner TO the world s
fair.
The Chair also presented communication from
the Secretary Of War, transmitting report of a
typographical survey Of a portion Of Rio river.
aa MISCELLANEOUS.
Mr.. STOCKTON, from the Committee on Ma
val Affairs reported Joint resolution authorizing
the completion of steamer for harbor de-
fence; which was read and passed to second
reading.
Mr.. FELCH, from the Committee on Public
Lands, asked to be discharged from the further
consideration Of the memorial praying that rea-
soriable quantity of land may be granted to each
actual settler in California; which was agreed to.
On motion, the joint resolution authorizing a
continuation Of the work on the wings of the cnp-
ioI was referred TO the Committee on Public
Buildings and Grounds-whereupon
Mr.. BORLAND introduced resolution direct
ing that committee to make thorough examina-
ton of the foundation which has thus far been
completed, with the materials which have been
used in the same, and to report their opinion as to
the durability Of the same; which was agreed to.
THE IOWA RAILROAD BILL.
The Senate then resumed the consideration of
the bill granting the State Of Iowa lands, in aid of
certain railroads in that State.
Mr.. SUMMER asked the indulgence Of the
Senate to submit few remarks in vndicatioD of
his former speech upon this subject. He accept
ed, he said, the opposition which his argument
had encountered, tribute to its intrinsic i'm
portance. 1t had been met by rhetoric, by logic,
and by ridicule, and by that last resort of those
who are incapable Of answering an argument
hard words. He did not propose to retort the
personal abuse which he had met with but would
only say that the Senator from Kentucky was en-
tirely mistaken in supposing that he was lnfu-
enced by personal or sectional considerations in
making the remarks which he did. He also de-
MED that the State of Massachusetts, which he in
part represented, had at any lime taken any other
position than that of strict justice and the most
commendable liberality towards the land States.
He referred to the votes Of the Massachusetts del
egation in Congress at various periods in proof Of
this. He opposed the amendment Of the Senator
from Ktntucky, frst because of its clear, radical,
indubitabe injustice, written upon its very face.
Secondly, it was cut ofplace. Thirdly, its adop
ton would endanger il it did not defeat, the Iowa
bill. Fourthly it prepared the way for the States
Of this Union to become landhoders, which was
Objectionable. Filthy, the lands held under this
amendment would be subject to taxation, just
like the lands Of other proprietors, and would
therefore become practically vaueless to the hold
ers Of them.
Mr. BELL offered an amendment to the amend
mem of Mr.. UNDERwooD, providing that the lands
TO be selected for the older States should not be
located within the limits Of any State, but shall
be selected within the territories.
After few words from Mr.. B. in its support,
the amendment to the amendment was agreed to.
The question on the amendment recurring,
Mr. RHETT made few remarks in Opposi-
ton to both the amendment and the bill. He
,A,S,a hn~a -
distinct donation of lands to the States for the
purpose Of enabling them to carry on internal i'm
provements, which he believed to be contrary to
the requirements Of the Constitution. The same
objection applicable TO the bill itself, as he
proceeded to show.
Mr.. DOUGLAS thought the Senator from South
Carolina was mistaken as to the character of the
bill. 1t was substantially copy Of the bills
which had been passed for the benefit of Alabama
and other States.
The question on Mr.. UNDERWOOD s amendment
was then taken, and the amendment rejected by
the following vote:
YEAS-Messrs. Badger, Bell, Clarke, Cooper,
Davis, Fish, Foot, Hamlin, James, Mangum,
Pratt, Seward, Smith, Underwood, and Upham.
liz.
NAYS-Messrs Atchson, Bayurd, Borand,
Brodhead, Brooke, Cass, Chase, Dodge, of Wis
consin, Dodge, Of Iowa, Douglas, Downs, Fetch,
Geyer, Gw,n, Jones, of Iowa, King, McRae,
Mason, Morton, Rhett,, Rusk, Shields, Soue,
Stockton, Wade, ard Walker-26.
The bill was then reported to the Senate, when
Mr.. SEWARD offered an amendment, striking out
the provisions for the road from Dubuque to Keo-
kuk, and providing in lieu thereof, for additional
branches from Fort Des Mons to Burlington and
Dubuque.
Mr. SEWARD made few remarks in expla-
nation.
Mr.. ATCHISON thought it was the duty of
the Senate to settle the general principles of the
bill, and leave the details to the Senator from
Iowa He was opposed to the amendment.
Mr.. JONES. of Iowa, concurred in the sugges-
ton, and hoped the Senator from New York
would not press his amendment.
Messrs. DopGE, of Iowa. and DOUGLAS, also
spoke in opposition to the amendment
Mr.. CASS said that all these propositions had
been before the Committee of Public Lands, and
had been fully investigated, and he was not dis
posed to disturb the plan which they had sub
mitted.
Mr. SEWARD thought senators had perfect
right to review the decisions of their committees,
and on looking upon the map, this amendment
hid occurred to him likely better to promote
the public service.
Mr.. HALE submitted few facetous remarks,
to which
Mr. BORLAND responded. He also spoke in
favor of the bill as it now stands
After some further passes OF wit between the
Two senator's,
The amendment of Mr. SEWARD was rejected
Mr.. DAVIS offered, that in locating the rail-
roads, and assigning the limits to the easement,
no more land shall be taken from the United
States than is necessary for convenient construc
ton and use of said roads for transportation, in
Guiding stations, with the usual buildings Of all
kinds, turn outs, and such other appurtenances as
are usually enjoyed by railroad companies.
The proviso was agreed to.
Mr.. GEYER offered amendment providing
that these lands shall be exposed to public sale,
to the highest bidder, from time to time, under
the direction Of the Secretary Of the Interior; and
that they shall not be subject to entry until they
have been offered at public sale.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD asked the yeas and nays
on this amendment, which were ordered and taken
and the amendment agreed to--yeas 81, nays g..
Those who voted in the negative being Mes
srs CHASE, DoDcE, of Wisconsin, DODGE, of
Iowa, DOUGLAS, GwIN, and McRAE.
Mr.. BRODHEAD proposed as substitute for
the whole bill plan for reducing and graduating
he pricn ~ r,,hIc In nda ACCORDING n plan which