Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-01
House of Represe ntatiyes,
TEXAS CREDITORS.

House or Representatives.
TEXAS CREDITORS.
The SPEAKER announced the first business in
order 10 be the motion Of Mr.. Oar, made on Sat-
urday, 10 suspend the rules, with view TO take
from the Speakers table the Senate bill providing
for the payment Of such creditors OF the late re-
public of Texas comprehended in the act
of Congress of September, 1850.
Mr.. CAMPBELL inquired whether, il the rules
should be suspended, it the intention of the
gentleman 10 move the previous question.
Mr.. ORR replied that il was not. He wished
to offer an amendment reducing the amount TO
Sc, 900, so that both sides Of the House may
have an opportunity of voting as they may desire
Mr.. Campbell wished the bill to be amended,
so that the act shall not take effect until Texas
shall release the United States from all claims.
The House refused TO suspend the rules-yeas
II, nays 61 no. twoIhirds
GUANo.
Mr.. RIDDLE from the select committee on the
subject OF guano, reported bill regulating, in
part, the trade between the United States and the
republic of Peru. Referred 10 the Committee of
the Whole on the state OF the Union.
The bill provides that guano shall be admitted
duty free al $40 dollars per ton ; the small duty of
four per cent. when the price is below SAT; ten
per cent below $50, and sixty per cent above $50
to go into effect, provided that the President Of the
United States, as the committee recommend in
their report, cannot effect negotiation with Peru
for the supply OF guano on more liberal terms than
at present
sUBTERRANEAN TELEGRAPH.
On motion Of Mr. FARLEY, the House took ND
subterranean line oftelegraph from the Mississippi
TO the Pacific ocean, and referred il TO the Com
mittee on Territories.
SPRINGFIELD ARMoRY..
On motion of Mr.. DICKINSON, a resolution
was adopted, calling on the Secretary of War to
communicate TO the House the report of the COM
mssioners appointed to investigate the affairs of
the Springfield armory.
HOMESTEAD BILL.
Mr.. HOUSTON having moved that the House
resolve itself into Committee of the Whole on
tue state of the Union
Mr.. DAWSON appealed TO him to withdraw the
motion, in order TO give him an opportunity Of
asking the consent OF the House TO take up the
Homestead bill, as amended by the Senate. He
was anxious to have the bill further amended,
with view to secure more fully the rights Of
actual settlers, and press il to final action
Mr. SELLERS objected
The House then resolved itself into a Com.
mttee Of the Whole on the state of the Union,
(Mr. Orr in the chairD and took up the
CIVIL AND DIPLOMATIC APPROPRIATION BILL.
The Senate having returned il with various
amendments
An amendment Of the Senate for the erection
OF public buildings in Kansas and Nebraska hav-
ing been read,
Mr.. GIDDINGS moved to amend the latter
clause, so as TO repeal the acts organizing those
two Territories
Mr.. WRIGHT, Of Pennsylvania, raised ques-
ton of order, which
The CHAIRMAN overruled. and was sustained
by the House--yeas 81, nays 80
MI GlDDlNCS said he was sure If gentleman
would consult their own feelings, they would unite
with HIM IN the repeal Of the Kansas and Nebras-
ka act.
Mr. GOODE rose TO question of order.
The CHAIRMAN said he was inclined 10 be-
lieve that Mr.. GIDDINes was not in order if he did
not get little nearer TO his amendment.
Mr. GlDDlNGS expressed his opinion that the
law ought TO be repealed and he thought that
nearly every member concurred with him in that
opinion. He believed there were but few mem.
bers who, from the remote recesses oftheir hearts
did not desire the repeal of the law. II had left
the President in a meagre majority in this hail.
and created great excitement here and through
out the land. They should repeal the law at once,
and do II like men, and not by peceneal. II they
do not repeal IL now, the people will when ano-
Their Congress shall assemble. II will prove a DO
litical grave 10 more men in this BODY than even
the cholera. fLaughterl
Mr.. McMULLEN was glad of the opportunity
TO define his position on this question. He under
stood the gentleman had offered an amendment
TO repeal the bill organizing the governments of
Nebraska and Kansas; and he understood him 10
say he doubled whether there was a member on
this floor who was not at heart for the repeal Of
this measure. Did the member believe what be
said?
Mr. GIDDINGs, lin his seat) Can you doub,
il? 81
Mr.. McMULLEN. No member knew better
than the gentleman that this was not the fact
The declaration was so bold, reckless and direct,
that II took him by surprise He Mr. McMUL-
LEM was not here when those measuress were
passed He had paired off with gentleman from
Ohio, who was opposed to the bill, but if he bad
been here he should with pleasure have voted for
the bill This act was called for by the people of
the country. Noae here but a freesoiler or an
abolitonist would say he was for repeal Ifthere
was a democrat here, who believes that the people
are capable Of governing themselves, and who is
IN favor Of repeal, he should like him TO get IN
and show himself He would look upon him as
a kind Of signboard
The question was taken, and the amendment
was rejected-ayes so, noes 70.
A large number Of the Senate's amendments
were acted on, when the committee rose
DESTRUCTION OF GREYTowY.
The SPEAKER laid before the House mes
sage from the President OF the United States, en-.
closing documents in relation 10 the recent de-
'iruciion Of Greytown, by Captain Holns, (caed
or by resolution OF the Housed
The papers were referred 10 the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, and ordered TO be printed
HOUR OF MEETING.
On motion Of Mr.. HOUSTON, il was resolved
hat the daily hour of meeting shall be 10 O'Clock
until otherwise ordered
And the House adjourned
-.
N N N ~ n r,