The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-16

from committees hsre and will have time il this
debate continues much longer.
Mr.. FISH Let us take the question now.
Mr. GWIN. Very well have no objection to that,
II il can be done
Mr.. DOUGLAS. 1 understand the honorable senator
from New York lMr FisHl to Say that other petitions OF
the same kind with those now proposed 10 be referred
have already gone 10 the Committee on Commerce Now
ii that committee have already had this subject presented
10 them, see reason Tor not referring additional
petitions upon the subject 10 them, Ii, however
on the contrary, the petitions or land had always gone
to the Committee on Public Lands, ! would not send
them 10 the Committee Commerce, because think the
Committee on Public Lands rs the proper TO take
charge OF them But this subject has already been
ferred TO the Committee on Commerce. | can see no OBJ
lection TO all these petitions being sent 10 that committee
Mr.. STUART. do not wish to continue this discus
SION But DO not wish the true question 10 be departed
from. The ground upon which placed my objection to
the proposed reference in the first place that the
rules OF the Senate sent this business the Committee
on Public Lands And asked the sense OF the Senate
whether that committee having reported on the subject
they would send IT to the Committee Commerce TO
that action aud the Senate decided that they would
do so. Now, as member of the Committee on Public
Lands understand the vote OF the Senate be neither
less than saying that the Senate s dissatisfied
with the aeuon OF The committee to which this subec,
properly belongs, and they therefore chooseno TO
commit IL them with Instructions which, my humble
judgment, would be the parliamentary coursebut they
choose to send il to another committee. Now, they might
jus, well send il 10 the Committee Foreign Rea-
lions, the Committee Military Affairs to the
Committee Naval Affairs 10 the Committee on Com
Fmerce. Indeed, far the action Of this government
is concerned The canal around The Falls of Niagara is
much important TO the naval interests OF the
try than to any other The vote OF the Senate, il we
override the action OF the Committee Public Lands in
this way determines that the Senate, instead of taking
the parliamentary way of recommitting the subject TO the
Committee on Public Lands with instructions TO repor,
bill in accordance with what may be the desire OF
majority OF this body choose 10 transfer subject which
belongs 10 the Committee on Public Lands commit
Tee which has no jurisdiction over it whatever Ii may
receive any construction which may choose TO
give i bat The parliamentary construction OF the pro
posed reference is direct upon the action OF the
committee TO which this subject properly belongs.
The question being then taken upon referring the petit
tons upon the table in relation to the canals around the
Falls OF Niagara TO the Committee Public Lands, il was
agreed to- and the petitions referred accordingly.
PACIFIC RAILROAD.
The select committee to whom was referred the sub.
iect of the construction OF railroad from the valley of
the Mississippi river to the Pacific have had the
in reference to that subject will state that there
other matters connected with this subject that we have
not yet disposed of and instructed by the committee
say that this is but report in part we have not yet
completed our labors also instructed by that
mitlee ask that the further consideration OF this bill
be postponed until this day two weeks, and made the
special order for that day This is subject OF very great
Importance, and want day set apart by the Senate
for It's consideration.
The bill was then read the first time by its title and
ordered to its second reading,
On notion the further consideration OF the bill was
then postponed until Monday the 9th instant and made
the special order for that day, at one O'Clock.
SENATOR FROM VERMONT
The Senate umed the consideration OF the report Of
the committee in relation TO the right OF the Hon. SAMUEL
s. PHELPS to a seat in the Senate.
Mr. PHELPS resumed and concluded his speech
thereon.
Mr. BADGER followed and
Mr. FOOT obtained the floor, but yielded TO motion
to postpone the further consideration OF the subject until
TO morrow.
EXECUTIVE SESSION.
On motion, the Senate proceeded 10 the consideration
of executive business and after some time spen, therein,
the doors were reopened, and
The Senate adjourned