The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-02-16


other things would also be smashed up. It was
said that there should be a transit provided for
men and things to the Pacific. A railroad was
the only proper means for transit and if
they would give a railroad to tho Pacific North
or South--even down in Texas, if they chose
he thought he would try another compromise,
and give this Territory.
He exhibited tables of the immense expense
incurred already in the establishments of Terri
tories, which would be greatly enhanced by
this bill. The appropriations contained in this
bill had been stricken out for what purpose be
knew not, except that it was a preparation for
the gag on this bill in the other House.
The bill provided that all inhabitants of the
Territory should be qualified voters, and eligi-
be to office. He denied that, legally speaking
there were any inhabitants in Nebraska or Kan
gas The acts of Congress expressly prohibit
ed any persons inhabiting the Indian country,
or even going there, except as licensed traders
ne read from some remarks made by Mr..
Hall, In the House at the last session, who said
that there were no white inhabitants there, be-
cause II they went into the country, they were
hunted out by Government dragons
He said the Senator from Illinois was the
most prolific man in the way of getting Terri
tories he ever knew. Every year the Senate
was called on to witness the parturition of one
and sometimes two, and that at a time when
there was whole litter already on hand The
country was not laid of, and he pointed out
the difficulties of dividing it into districts &c.,
for political purposes
He referred at length to the treaty obliga-
tions towards the Indians, who had been put
into the country with the solemn assurance
that it was to be permanent home, under
| which assurance they had abandoned the
| of IA fha e tbair
and children.
Mr.. Pratt gave notice that he would contend
for an observance of the resolution of the Sem
ate, setting apart Friday in each week for the
consideration of tho private calendar, to the
Exclusion of all other business +" and resist all
attempts to set aside that rule.
Ga motion of Mr. Bright, the Senate pro-
ceedcd to the consideration of Executive bust
ness; and after some time spent therein, the
doors were opened, and the Senate adjourned.
House of Representatives., Feb. 9, 1854.
The Deficiency bill, yesterday reported from
the Committee of the Whole, was taken up,
and read-the question being on ooncurring in
the several amendments recommended by the
| Committee.
On that proposing to appropriate 500, 900
to build custom house at Cincinnati the ayes
'no ho0o "cio caiicu, anu tne result Was-ayeS
| "a, noes Ga.
On the appropriation of $40, 600 for the like
purpose at Louisville-ayes 81, noes II.
On the appropriation Of $40, 900 to complete
the oustom-house ut Bath, Maine, the ayes
were &C. noes "A.
The motion to appropriate $40 600 to COM
| plete the custom house at Bangor, Maine, was
agreed to-ayes and noes not taken
For the completion of the custom house at
st. Louis, 500, O0O-ayes 81, noes IA
For the completion of the custom-house at
Wilmington, Delaware, 1000. Adopted
For the completion of the custom house at
| Mobile, $64 ,9O0-ayes 50, noes g.
For the completion of tho marine hospital at
Cleveland, Ohio S35, 900 Adopted
| For the completion of the marine hospital at
| Chicago, SIS 600. Adopted.
For the same at San Francisco, California,
$44 600. Adopted.
| For the same at Louisville Sl250O Adopted.
For the Same at Paducah, Kentucky, 81, 600.
Adopted
| For the collection of agricultural statistics
and seeds, for distribution by the Patent Office,
| $4,000 Adopted.
For the entire completion of the Marine
Hospital at st Louis, $40 0OO Adopted.
For the purchase of certain property in New
York city for an assay office, $3.50, 900: which
was adopted
Senate, Friday, Feb 10, 1854.
Mr.. Petit, from the Committee on Private
Land Claims reported back House bill extend.
claims IN California, and ghs satie WASTE was ehdsi
cred and passed
| Also, bill confirming private land claim
in Wisconsin; and the same was passed.
A bill for the relief of the heirs of Lieuten-
ant c. A. WicklIfe.
| On motion of Mr.. Douglas, the considera-
ton of the private calendar was postponed
and the Senate proceeded to the consideration
of the bill to organize Territorial Government
| fer Nebraska.
Mr. Smith resumed the remarks commenced
| by him on yesterday. He quoted, as the plat
form on which he stood upon this question, the
words of Mr.. Webster, in which that gentle
man declared himself opposed to all agitation
North or South. He was opposed to all Anti
Slavery agitators, and Pro-Slavery sgtators.
No man could say that in opposing this bill he
| was actuated by sectional motives. He had
voted against this bill at the last session, when
it contained a sanction of the Missouri Com
promise
He and some few other Northern Senators
voted with the South, and killed the Nebraska
bill of the last session He was surprised to
their support to this bill. He could see no
cause for the change, except that this bill con-
tanned Slavery clause. If it were not sweet
ened by the Slavery clause, the bill could not
live in the Senate half an hour This bill re-
enacted the Fugitive Slave Act but if it re-
enacted the Missouri restriction and the Will
mot Proviso both, he would not vote for the
| bill.
When the bill was first reported it contained
a twenty first section of which no one knew the
meaning, and which jury of nineteen Phila-
delphia lawyers could not decide. 1t remaned
in that state one week; when Mr.. Dixon offer
ed an amendment repeating the Missouri pro-
hibition. The Senator from Illinois, in five days
after that, marches fully up to the scratch
| The Senator then reported a new bill, declar
ing the Missouri Compromise void and inope-
rative. This was not suffered to remain but
after that council of war was held, in which
was prepared the amendment now pending
| That amendment is a novelty in the way Of
| legislation. Ii is an enactment with an exOr
dunn and peroration.
| All the South desired was tho repeal of the
| Missouri Act. If it was to be repealed, he
would prefer to havc it done in positive terms,
and in none of the squrming and twisting
displayed by this bill. fit was to be repealed,
it ought to be done in a separate motion, and
not put here to carry through another measure,
which, without it, could not receive the South
ern vote, and which was voted down at the
| last session.
The country had expected nothing of this
measure 1t will be remembered, the newspa-
pers had said nothing of Nebraska, until after
| Congress met. Since that time, however, the
notes of the present organ had been most dis
cordant. In the first place, the Senator from
Kentucky was denounced as an agitator, be-
| cause he nroposed the reneal of the Missouri