Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-07
House Of Representatives.

thousand copies OF the annual report OF the Secre-
tary OF the Treasury on the state fthe finances
were ordered TO be printed. .tt
The following resolution, introduced by Mr..
soLLERs, on Monday, was then taken up the
question being on its passage:
ResoiUed, That the President Of the United
States inform this House, If not incompatible with
the public interest, what was the object or objects
Of the meeting or conference of the American
ministers al Ostend, and whether the said meeting
or conference was in obedience 10 instructions OF
the Secretary ofState; what the said instructions
were, and what was the result Of the said meeting
Mr.. CHASTAIN moved that the resolution be
laid upon the table; but the motion was disagreed
to-yeas'7 ~, nays 80.
After further proceedings on this subject the
resolution was committed TO the Committee on
Foreign Affairs; yeas 81, nays SO,
The SPEAKER announced the next business
in order TO be the consideration OF the Presidents
veto message on the River and Harbor bill of he
last session. sFis ,1ipz ie4
Mr.. CLINGMAN remarked he perceived, since
he made his motion for postponing until to-day
the consideration of the message that the PRESS
dent Gin his annual communication designs send
ing in a message, giving his views more in detail
on this subject. Perhaps il was proper 10 wait
until the President shall submit those views. He
4 Mr. CLINeMANl voted against the River and Har-
Dor bill, and did not want TO hear anything further ;
but as il was probable that gentlemen, who differ
from the President, wish TO have an opportunity
to examine the reasons for the veto which may
be given at length, he suggested a posiponement
OF the subject until future day. n yoa
Mr. DUNBAR said that his constituents were
all interested in the bill Il contained large ap.
preparations for the improvement the mouth OF
the Mississippi, and for various improvements of
the tributaries and streams Of that river in which
all his constituents are interested. He voted for
the bill in the Committee on Commerce, and on
IFS final passage in the House. He thought the
bill ought not TO have been vetoed by the Presi.
dent but he was of the opinion that decent re-
spect for the Chief Magistrate as he had Informed
the House that he will shortly send in message,
giving more fully his for the veto, should
induce them TO postpone the consideration of the
subject until the promised message shall have
been communicated. He therefore moved that
the consideration of the subject be postponed 10
this day week. All could then act more under
standingly, and determine whether they should
attempt to pass the bill, Notwithstanding the veto
of the President; or whether another bill shah be
introduced, which will not be liable 70 the objec-
tons which the President may assign. 80
Mr.WENTWORTH,o OF Illinois, said il he had sup-
posed that there was any individual in the House
who could be influenced one way or another by a
message from the President touching this subject,
(Which is familiar TO everybody, and which has
been source Of agitation ever since the organ-
zaiion of the government, and the talk on every
stump OF the country he would vote for post
ponement; but he sincerely believed every mem
veto message. Such being the case, he did not
know why they should not as well act now as at
any other time. For himself he came here TO re-
feet the will OF his constituents he LEFT behind
him. He would carry out their WILL and pre-
sumed every other member would do the same
respecting their constituents. He was willing 10
withdraw his motion 10 proceed TO the considera-
ton of the subject to-day, If any gentleman would
rise and state that he is in doubt as 10 what he
ought to do, and wished therefore, 10 hear further
from the President. 1900
He moved the previous question, but withdrew
the motion at The request OF
Mr.. CAMPBELL, who poncurred in the sug-
gestion Of the gentleman from Louisiana, Mr..
DuEBAR,l, that decent respect Cor the Chief
Magistrate required of the House at least sus-
pension OF their action until his views shall more
fully be made known. He should like 10 see what
the reasons, which they were informed have been
prepared, are. Had the gentleman any nlorma-
ton as to the time the President viii communicate
his messenger s-E 81 i.
Mr.. DUNBAR replied, he had no information
on the subject. lie, however, had no doubt the
message will be in within a few days. e
Mr.. CAMPBELL inquired, do you think bythis
Mr.. DUNBAR replied, he had no doubt Of il. :.
Mr.. CAMPBELL then expressed the hope that
the further consideration of the subject would be
postponed that courtesy might thus be extendedfo
the President. 20 ~'s.tt \
Mr.. WENTWORTH, Of Illinois, renewed his
demand for the previous question; which was
seconded-ayes 50, noes 73.
And, under its operation, the question was put
on the passage Of the River and Hnrbor BILL not
withstandng the veto OF the President Of the
United States.
The result was--yeas 95, nays so.
Two-thirds not voting for the bill, as required
by the Constitution in case of veto, il was re-
jeeis9
Mr.. SELLERS introduced bin providing for
the purchase Of so much OF the Columbia turnpike
as is in the District Of Columbia, and making the
same free Of toll. Referred to the Committee for
| the District Of Columbia.
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