The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-01
MONDAY, FEBRUARY Fl, 1858.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS.

The PRESIDENT pro tenn laid before the Senate
message from the President OF the United States In an
swer 10 aesoluton OF the Senate of the l4lh instant
relative TO the fisheries the coast oil Florida and trans
milling report OF the Secretary of State and accompa
nying Documents which was read and, on motion by
Mr. HUN TER. II was ordered TO lie the table, and 10
be printed Tor the use OF the Senate.
The PRESIDENT pro tenn also laid before the Senate
report IRON the Secretary OF the Navy, in TO
resolution OF the Senate OF the 18th instant transmitting
copy OF report made TO that department by The com
missioner who appointed to examine the qualities of
the several coal heds and coal mines on the western wa
ters; which was read and, motion by Mr.. GWlN, it
was ordered TO lie the table, and to be printed for the
use OF the Senate ..#
MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
message received from the House OF Represent
atves, by Mr. Forney, their Clerk, announcing TO the
Senate that the House have passed bill making appro
priaons Tor the civil and diplomatic expenses OF govern
ment for the year ending Both Of June 1854, in which
the concurrence OF the Senate is requested.
The bill Just received from the House was read the
first and second times by unanimous consent and
lion BY Mr.. HUNTER, it was referred to the Committee
on Finance.
.-. HOMESTEAD BLL.-PAcIFIc RAILROAD.
MIR. HUN TER move TO postpone all the prior Or
des, Tor the purpose OF taking up the bill from the House
OF Representatives making appropriations for the supper.
OF the army for the year ending June 80 1854 wish to
remind gentlemen that after Friday week shall have
no more time Tor legislative action.
Several SENATORS. Lei have the morning business
MI. HUNTER II it's the desire OF the Senate TO pro-
coed with the morning business, will not make my mo-
ton until twelve o'clock.
Mr.. WALKER. move to dispense with all the prior
orders, with view TO take up the bill from the House Of
Several SENATORS Let us have the morning business.
| MIR: WALKER. That morning business will postpone
the bill without vote until after the end of the present
session, and make the motion that we may whether
we TO have the bill taken up during this Congress
not and upon ha, motion ask for the yeas and nays
MT. DODGE, OF Iowa. do hope and trust that the
motion of the senator from Wisconsin will prevail The
friends OF the homestead bill have sat by patiently, day
alter day. IN order 10 give other measures chance
but the end OF the session is close upon and unless
the homestead bill be acted upon now we must lose it.
There several senator's who ready proceed upon
it, and trust that it will be taken up, and that may
be enabled 10 pass it to-day. ..... a#
The yeas and nays were ordered.
Mi. DOWNS. | am in favor OF the homestead bill.
and wish to take up at the earliest possible day but
bill which was made the special order OF the day for
about month ago. On that day it was passed by, and
gave notice that should ask the Senate to take up
last Saturday, but then l gave way to other measures
and gave notice that | would call it up this morning.
hope the Senate will take it up to-day and dispose OF
It, is bill to grant lands 10 the State OF Louisiana
TO aid that Stale in preventing foundations from the Mis-
sisspp | think it will not take more than half hour
10 dispose OF and unless it be disposed of this morning
there may no, be another opportunity during my Term OF
service in the Senate 1t is a matter in which my con-
stuents feel great interest and hope therefore that the
| senator from Wisconsin will withdraw his motion until
tina, bill IS disposed Of shall then concur most cor
daily with him in taking up the homestead bill
| Mr.. WALKER. II had so often yielded, or if
not yielded been often voted down, upon this ques-
ton, certainly should accommodate the senator from
Louisiana But during the whole of the last session,
after this bill reached US, the objection made
TO taking IL up which is made. 1t made several
times, recolec by an honorable senator from Illinois,
friend OF the bill intend TO jola the senator from
louisiana if understand the provisions of his bill. cor
daily in its support; but do want opportunity at
least TO vote the homestead bill before the Senate ad
iourns. must consequently decline 10 withdraw the
hon.
Mr. DODGE, of Iowa. The senator from Louisiana
knows that am friend TO his bill, and will assist him
upon any suitable occasion in getting IL up but hope
he will not press il in opposition 10 the HON esead
bill but will act with the friends OF that bill upon this
question,
MIR. HUNTER 1t seems 10 me that we should proba-
bly, be able 10 divide the time equaby amongst all
the great pressing for consideration, If
should devote al least the morning hour TO the appropr
| alton bills They must be acted upon 1t is necessary
- pass them and is important that should pass them
AS early as possible so as 10 be able TO consider the
amendments between the two houses, and not be forced
to leave everything 10 committees of conference II
could be allowed 10 take up the appropriation bills in
the morning hour, think should probably dispose Of
them soon by giving them that time at least with
very little addition OF the remaining time OF the Senate
In that way the residue OF days could be devoted 10
these other measures, many OF which ale great meas
ures, and all OF them pressing Tor consideration III we
do not adopt this course, the result will be that the ap
preparation bills will be postponed to late period
that we shall be forced TO take them as the House
sends them to
stead bill this morning 1t is the most important
now before the Senate for the benefit OF my const
uens, upon which have any hope OF obtaining action
not only intend 10 vote for taking up that bill, but
intend to give il preference every other
until it shall be disposed OF, II do so by my
The homestead bill is not in the form in which wish 10
vote for H. but intend vote against all amendments
order 10 have something that will OF benefit to my
stuens, giving them the right 10 the soil upon which
they live. Therefore, this is House bill, and as
know that we can, by taking up and acting upon IT.
cure its benefits TO my constituents iatend to 10
take up, and to give IT the preference over all other
questions hoping al the same time that 1t will not be
necessary to do after today, but that will be dis
posed OF Immediately.
Mr. BORLAND. / agree fully with the honorable
senator from California think, in the present attitude
Of affairs, that the homestead bill is the TO which
ought now to give our attention. agree with him that
not in the form in which should like TO vote for it,
should like TO it amended in several important par
ucuats but for the he stated, that 1t be amend
ed will be inevitably lost shall for passing II IN It's
present FORM and will Join its friends ia all measures
necessary to keep before the Senate, when is taken
up, until it shall be disposed OF.
Mt DOWNS. As appeals are made TO me from so
many friendly sources to withdraw my opposition to thus
motion, withdraw IT, and shall not insist taking up
my bill this mornings but hope that at convenient
hour to take up that bill and dispose of it. wish to
state however, that there is member OF the Senate
warmly and decidedly advocate OF the homestead
bill than myself concur entirely with the senator from
California ssd the from Arkansas, that il is
so late that II we do take II up, Is best s pass with
out amendment, or even without debate, II possible
Mr.. RUSK. This homestead bill has been regarded as
important measure by its friends II is so regarded
by the community We have had numerous petitions
urging 10 pass it, II here during the last session
OF Congress, and slept for long time upon our tables
II has been crowded out by other measures al this
sion. think that during this session we have consumed
al leas half if not twohirds, OF our time with dis
"a on aha n which led practical