The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-03-02

Mr.. Fish presented three similar memorials
from citizens Of New York
Mr.. Wade, the memorials of citizens of Ohio.
Mr.. Thompson, the memorials of citizens of
New Jersey.
Mr.. Brodhead, the memorials of citizens of
Pennsylvania.
Mr.. Chase, large number of memorials of
citizens of several counties in Ohio, New York,
Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Illinois.
Also, petitions in favor of the repeal of the
Fugitive Slave Act others in favor of the abo-
lition of Slavery in the District of Columbia.
The following bills, granting land to States,
to aid in the construction of railroads therein,
were taken up and passed:
A bill granting land to Louisiana, to aid in
the construction of a railroad from Shreveport
to the Mississippi.
| A bill granting land to Wisconsin, to aid in
! the construction of railroad from Madison to
the Mississippi river.
| A bill granting land to the States of Louis
lana and Mississippi, to aid in the construction
| Of certain railroads therein.
A bill granting land to the State of Iowa, to
aid in the construction of certain railroads
therein.
Two bills granting land to Alabama, to aid
in the construction of certain railroads therein.
| A bill granting land to California, to aid in
the construction Of certain railroads therein.
| A bill granting land to Florida, to aid in the
construction of certain railroads therein.
And bill granting land to Florida, to aid
! in the construction of railroad therein.
| The bill granting land to the several States
OF the Union, to aid In the support of the indi-
gent insane, was taken up, and then postponed
till to morrow
The Senate proceeded to the consideration
of the bill to establish Territorial Govern
ment for Nebraska.
| Mr.. Cass addressed the Senate He prefer
red the bill as it was originally reported, to its
present shape. He deprecated the introduction
of the provision repeating the Missouri Com
promise, particularly as it was admitted on all
sides that its repeal could have no practical
effect. Slavery, it was admitted, could not be
carried into the Territory, and the repeal of the
prohibition was calculated only to revive agita-
ton on the subject. He was unwilling to dis
turb, for no practical purpose, deed which
was done for benefcent purpose, and had ao-
complished its purpose well.
He then addressed the Senate at length upon
the sovereignty of the People of the Territories
over all political purposes and objects. The
power of Congress over Territories was con
fined exclusively to territory considered as pub
lie land, and in that sense was as absolute in
(
if the Constitution of the United States al
lowed the People of the South to carry their
slaves to the Territories in spite Of all loca
law, under the principle of equality secured
by that principle, why did it not allow them tC
carry slaves into Ohio! If the right was one
secured by the Constitution of the United
States, the Constitution of Ohio could not eel
aside the supreme law of the land.
He is still speaking on the subject of slavery
House of Representatives., Feb. 81, 1854.
There was an unusually full attendance at
the opening of the House this morning.
As soon as the journal had been read,
Mr. Davis, of Indiana, arose and stated that
it was known that the Printer of the House
had died; and he moved that the House pro-
coed to the election Of Printer, at 2 o'clock p
M. tomorrow.
An amendment fixing upon Wednesday was
adopted, and the motion of Mr. Davis then
prevailed. So that Printer for the House
viii be elected on the day above-named, at two
O'Clock p. NJ.
MIR. Dawson moved that the House 20 into
Committee of the Whole.
| Mr. Bocock asked the withdrawal Of this
motion, to enable him to present a subject to
the consideration of the House which request
was complied with.
He then said that his purpose was to present
q bill to authorize the construction Of six ma
tional first class steam propelled frigates
| Mr. Bocock explained that this bill was iden.
tically the same as that already reported ia
vorabIy upon by the House Committee on Ma
val Affairs, from whose docket the Senate Com
mittee had obtained it, and that therefore it
would not be necessary to refer it to that com
mttee. He accordingly moved its reference to
the Committee of the Whole which was car
ried and that it be made the order for Tues
day and Wednesday two weeks hence, which
also prevailed.