The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-22

upon The motion TO refer; and finally il agreed that
bill providing for telegraph to California should be
taken up and made the special order Tor future day
with the understanding that when that bill should come
up this should be moved a. substitute Tor H. When
that bill was taken up, II was set aside BY general eon'
sent and this bill substituted We have proceeded IN lie
discussion for days. IL Is undoubtedly question
Of very great Importance but must demnr 10 the uea
which seems TO be entertained by some gentlemen that
because il is complicated subject and embraces vas
variety of interests should Therefore not De referred 70
committee. What subjects do we propose 10 felsf
We have heard the objection made 10 the reference OF
subject that il is extremely simple that every senator
easily make up his mind upon II and now the Cd
lection made to The reference OF this subject mat Is
complex. that II includes SO many details maj y
affects great variety OF interests. that should there
fore not be referred IL seems to me that this precisely
such ought to have been referred IA the begin
ming, and that ought TO be referred now But shall
yield my opinion upon that subject 10 whatever may be
the general sense OF the Senate; but VIII say. that u
this subject is not TO be REFERRED seems TO me oil grea
importance that should persevee IN It's discussion
until close that discussion Certainly this Texas debt
rs OF no greater npoftance than the Pacific road II
does not concern by any MEANS 40 large poruon OF le
people OF this republic. and ii is not pressing 10 It's ext
gency. Therefore, If il is the OF the Senate that
this bill is not to be referred, shall unite with the
ato from California IN the endeavor 10 keep before The
Senate until we shall make some bnal disposition OF II
Our experience teaches ii 1t teaches anything that
i we take up subject in this body one day, discuss
day or two, then postpone II and discuss another, and
afterwards resume the first, all the previous discussion is
lost. We have to pass again precisely the same
ground, and finally the discussion results in nothing
While, therefore, Mr. President, should be very well
content with reference OF this billfor so lar from de-
laying the great object sought to be accomplished by II,
my judgment is that proper committee taking up the
subject and considering IT, could present scheme to the
Senate which would be likely 10 command majority OF
the votes this Senate and would facilitate instead OF
retardlng the main object OF the senator IRON California
if that does meet the views OF the Senate. shall act
with The friends OF the bill In opposing any further post
ponement, taking up any other bill in the place OF
this
Mr. BELL If the Senate is ready TO take vote |
will not say word but If not, have something 10
say. will sit down and see.
Mr.. RUSK. desire to understand the senator from
Maryland whether be understands that this IS to go over
to o-norroW, or wishes II TO be considered now !!
Mr. PEARCE. would prefer that il should be taken
up and considered at but would consent that 1t
should be made the special order for tomorrow
Mr. BUTLER. should have 10 object TO that al.
though am willing 10 extend any courtesy IN my power
to the senator
The PRESIDENT. The Chair will state that the bill
must be taken up before any disposition be made OF
it, The question before the Senate is the motion 10 take
up the bill
Mr. BORLAND. | understand that this bill is in its
true character, private bill and the remarks of the
ator from Wisconsin,, [Mr WALKER, when he addressed
the Senate just struck with great deal of force
This bill stands upon the same footing far its real
merits are concerned with other private bill before
this body; the only difference being that this is for five mil
lions OF dollars, and the other claims may be for five hum
dred or thousand see reason, then, why should
give any consideration 10 these claims and above
thousands OF other claims for smaller sums, equally and
perhaps more needed And if we pass by all private
claimants whose claims for small sums, to take up
such bill as this ask how far may be usying the
mputaon which has been cast upon this and upon the
other House-that small private claim cannot be got
through Congress, but claim for millions CAM The
mputa on s cast upon Congress every day thai to make
sure OF passing private claim, you make amount
10 million of dollars Now here of private
claim OF great merit upon which the honorable senator from
South Carolina has offered his views and proposes to offer
his views still further and to press upon the consideration
OF the Senate claim, so far as could understand it,,
appealing 10 every consideration which should govern the
justice and determine the action OF this body Yet the
general feeling TO be to put that by because is for
small sum- perhaps not reaching $4,000 and per haps
not $1,000 And II we give precedence TO bill which
greater amount, submit to the Senate how far shall
justify the lmpulaon, to which have alluded, which
has been so otten cast upon us.
Mr.. BRIGHT. The remarks of the senator from Ar
KANSAS demand reply. This is not private claim.
This is public claim, and one in which the govern
ment OF The United States is deeply interested Five mil
lions OF dollars have already been appropriated 10 Texas
but under the decision of The Secretary OF the Treasury
Texas cannot reach dollar Of that money IT is 10
The treasury OF The United States, drawing cent in
terest aud we are found in this attitude: With twenty
millions OF surplus in treasury, pay ing inter
eel on five millions. | say that this il great public
question We have the money and are prepared 10 pay
H. but one OF our administrative officers has decided
that we cannot pay II under existing Legislation, The OBJ
ect of this bill is to decide that question: and 10 stop he
interest on these FIVE millions. That is the important
point IN this case II s therefore, no private BILL and is
not urged upon those grounds.
Mr. B0RLAND. As understand it, this is no prop
osi,on pay money the State of Texas Ii is prop
osiuon TO pay money directly out OF the treasury 10
claimants upon the State OF Texas. No one denies,
understand it, that the Secretary of the Treasury has
gwen the Interpretation of the law passed upon the
subject and making this appropriation OF five millions OF
dollars.
Mr. BRIGHT, lin his seat) The senator from Texas
denies II
Mr. BORLAND. Il il generally acquiesced in. ! IN
dersand There uay be exceptions and the creditors
of Texas DENY it, OF But learn from good
thority that this is merely pros oson to pay the
five millions OF dollars already appropriated, but to in
the amount three millions more, making II eight
instead OF five millions 1t is not intended merely TO pay
the five millions, to interpret the law TO pay
that already appropriated, but to create debt,
may be mistaken. but learn this from what consider
good authority.
Mr. PEARCE. To answer the senator from Arkansas
properly 1t would be necessary 10 go INTO the details OF
this bill which would not be proper upon question like
this. But may be permitted 10 say, IN reply to him. that
although the object of this bill is 10 pay certain debts
which the creditors OF Texas claim to be binding upon
the United States, goes great deal further than that;
involves great pablo question: involves national
conslderations-the question OF national law, and The
construction of the compact between this and
of the highest public Importance ! do not know that
there any senator IN this body who will be influenced
IN coming TO decision upon this question: by the
sideratlon which the senator from Arkansas seems TO
think must improperly actuste some oil the members oil
this body SIR the magnitude OF the sum involved in
this bill will undoubtedly have effect upon the OF
any honest and trust are all honest and hon
oable in the Senate of the United States, and that
the senator did reproach upon the Sen.
49, a. a.