New-York daily tribune., 1854-03-14
xXXuID CONGREss-FmsT SESSION.

SENATE. .wAsnISoros, Monday, March 49, 1854
Mr. FOOT presented petitions against the Nebrask,
Mr. SEWARD also presented remonstrance. against
the Nebraska bill, of them IN the German language
Mr. 10UCEI presented similar memorials.
Mr. SUMNER prcsenie sixteen of same character from
Messrs' SEWARD, TOUCEY and SUMNER presented
remonsrances against the ratification of the Copyright
Mr. SEWARD presented the petition Of certain .obsc
eons Of New York praying that duty Of 20 per cent bs
impo sed on imported cigars.
Blr STUART introduced resolution granting land to
Michigan fer Railroads
Mr FISH presented memorials praying for grant Of
ard to aid the State of New York in constructing hip
canal around the Falls Of Niagara and moved that they
be referred to the Committee on Commerce
Mr. STUART inquired if these memorials asked gran.
Of land like those reported upon adversely by the Com
mittee Public Lands
Mr. FISH-Yes Sir.
Nr. STUART-Then do not think II right that they
should go to the Committee Commerce. 1t does 90.
seem that that Committee has anything to do with
the question of granting public lands.
MIR. FISH-The petitions ask for a grant to old 10 tho
construction Of a work of internal Improvement The
Committee Commerce has invariably had subjects Of
that nature referred to them. Whether the grant asked
for in the shape of public lands or money for this purose
seems to me il is not now necessary to inquire The
Committee Commerce have invariably had subjects Of
internal mpoS ement under their consideration For that
reason think il the appropriate Committee to which tho
memorials should be referred.
Mr.. STUART do not know, Sir, whether il may ba
important 10 settle this question now, but ii seems
there some importance ia referring 10 the apDropsts
Committees, the subjects which belong to them. Nov
Sir, cannot concere any pr0priey in sending to the
Committee on Commerce. petitions which ask for grant Of
10 aid in the construction Of Ship Canal around
the Fals OF Niagara any other work Of internal i'm
pToyement IL is conceded that the subject belongs TO
the Committee Commerce if the appropriation asked
for be that of money but in the petitions which sent
to tue Committee Public Lands the aid asked for
grant of the public lands learn from the Senator from
New York that this IS the character of these petitions.
and do think that to send that subject to the Com
mtee Commerce Is certainly In direct cOntrayen-
tion Of the rules Of the Senate and such being the
case l feel myself bound 10 make at least protest
against il. As far | concerned individually,
il makes difference to my views for am on both
those Committees but think there a practical impOr
tsnce in keeping these subjects before the Committees to
which they respectively belong In this instance ths
Committee on Public Lands determined that grant Of
land ought TO be made and therefore instructed me to
report back the petitions and ask 70 be discharged from
their consideration. did eo and the Committee were
discharged Now il is sought 10 revive the question
before another Committee Of the Senate and before
Committee to which the subject does not prop
ery belong cannot agree with the Senator from
New York that is proper send these petitions 10 the
Committee on Commerce. because they NAV propose or
recommend an appropriation of money for this object
think would be right to leave that Committee consider
petitions and memorials which ask for a grant of money
but not those which ask for grant Of land Such seems
10 me to be the proper view of the question
Mr FisH-It Is true these petitions asks for lands,
but by follows that Congress Is To grant lands
congress may grant the aid In such form it proper
Inc NohHNtr On uDlc LdnOs nave reported adversely
TO grant Of lands The object sought one Of internal
Improvement similar to those works which Congress has
aided IN various ways, sometimes by grants of lands aud
somstIes by grants of money. The Committee on Pab
lie Lands having decided that in their judgment aid in
lands s not appropriate does not by any preclude
the whole question. The Senate may think differently
from that Committee, and the Committee Commerce
may very properly think that although Il would not be
proper to grant lands, still grant Of money should DO
made. The object sought in these petitions i an in
portan one 9nd surely should not be precuded an op
poItuDy OF being presented to the Senate on mere
technical question Because in Appropriate Committee
has reported adversely II that the COMMITTEES
TO which the subject lgtmatey pertains should not have
an opportunity Of passing upon IL, and recommending
money ToprGtiOn II they think proper. 1 hope the
Senate viii allow he reference which have proposed
The subject is already before the Committee on Com
merce and only propose 70 send 10 that Committee
further petitions on subject which they are
siderirg.
Mr.. sEWARD-Thi. subject was brought before the
Senate at the las, session. number Of memorials
presented to the Senate and referred b the Committee on
Commerce but was too late in that session for the com
mittee TO take them up and the subject therefore feh
through Early in this session large number Of memo
rals-l do not know how many should think ahundred,
were presented here, and all Of them, with only two or
three exceptions that know Of referred 10 the Com
mittee on Commerce. This being the object s under
the consideration Of that committee Representing as
do constituents who deeply interested 10 the SUBJECT
and being member OF that Committee desire that
conclusion may be drawn adyerse 70 he cohsderaon OF
the subject By the Committee on Commerce who have It
in charged hope therefore, that these peons VIII 90
10 that Committee The question H. What IS the prn;
pie snd wha; is the incident The principle is tho cOa
sructon of the canal around the Falls OF Niagara for the
Iereft Of commerce The incident is the means or funds
which shall be used for tie purpose. This IL fair sab
iect for the action Of the Committee Comnerce aud
Tor me a. a member Of tha, Committee desire that
nav be allowed to prosecute inquiry In regard 70 L.
and bring the subj ect before the Senate.
Mr. STUART Tjoiled repeating bis objection, and
moved that the petitions be laid on the table. The
motion was lost az follows
IT1s M,..' ADAM, AleAi.oo Bay,,d, Brosa, Bas Cay
Docse Of lcwa Evans Gye housOn JohnsOa Pra Sbssa1
Slideil stusTt ard Walker li
Nay Menfs Bell Bheei. Chase Fesssaisn. Fish
FHzratIck Fcot, O~in, JeIes OF Iowa Nor Pesce, Rlk
Seward SHE d. sunheT IhomPsoa Of Ky Wade Weller VIII
Eeus-1
Nr. WALKER followed contending that the nom n)riais
ought TO 30 70 the Committee Public Lands.
Mr.. SEWARD explained that numerous memorials Of
Ike character were already before the Committee on
Commerce.
Mr WALKER said that Il 10, alter the ease If.h)Ss