Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-03-13
Debate in Congress.

even Tor amusement.
/
Debate in Congress.
We extract from the proceedings, as
published in full in the Congressional
Globe Of the 25,h ult.. SO much of a de-
bate that occurred on the subject OF grant
ing lands to railroad Companies, or to
States, TO appropriate to railroad purposes,
as will be interesting to our readers. II
will be seen that the Argus eye Of our
faithful, able and undeiatgable representa-.
tive, Mr.. Letcher, never sleeps. That he
is ever watchiul Of the true interests OF the
country, and devoted to the strict construc
ton policy of the Democratic party. Mr.
L. has justly attained the distinction of a
,corking member When he speaks, his
remarks are always brief and to the point
/ W hen be acts, his action is controlled by
a delicate regard for the interests and in
tegrity Of the country and the Democratic
party.
Mr.. DISNEY. l am instructed TO re.
a recommendation that it do pass, bill OF
the following title:
"a bill coniirmatory o: certain school
selections.
The Clerk proceeded TO read the bill in
ertenso.
Mr.. HAVEN. Is the proposition now
before the House TO put the bill on lis
passage?
The SPEAKER. That is the PROPOSE
ton.
MI. HAVEN. Then perceive that it
is not in order to make my motion now.
| The Clerk resumed. and concluded the
reading of the bill. - 1850
Mr.. DISNEY. Mr.. Speaker the friends
of this bill desire TO have it put upon its
passage.
Mr.. LETCHER. wish to make an
inquiry OF the gentleman from Ohio. II
| understand the gentleman Alright, he
proposes to confirm to the State the
title of these lands which have been talk
en- in lieu of the sixteenth sections, and
then to give them the sixteenth sections
besides, when discovered,
Mr.. DISNEY. That is so.
Mr.. LETCHER. do not exactly I'M
dersiand the reason, or the rule, which
would give them the sixteenth sections,
to which they were entitled in the first in
stance, and then give them. by this act.
what is equivalent to the sixteenth sec.
tons. do not understand that either
equity or right demands this course. The
Tact that the amount OF land involved is
only t.o thousand acres OF less, does not
it seems 10 me, at all affect the principle.
We find in the bill the principle and the
terms upon which these grants are made,
and whenever the question of grants of
lands shall again be presented upon thIs
| floor, by some member for his own State.
prceedeais like this one are invariably
/, brought UP, and are claimed as con.
trolling the action OF the House upon this
case.
Now, sir, it seems TO me that bill of
this sort ought not to be passed without
some consideration being given to it, or at
least, without some opportunity being
given for consideration. This House ought
not to be driven into the consideration eli
any question here, when not single mem
Der Of the House has had the opportunity
to examine ths bill and to ascertain what
will be its bearings upon present or future
legislation. isza ~ a-llat4gsi @
But, besides, this is precisely the course
Of policy introduced here during the fist
session If the last Congress, by which this
Committee on Pubic Lands elftctuall,
! suspended the whole business Of the other
committees of this House, and thereby
prevented everything and anything ht ing
| A 81, L., 81
close Of the session, which embraced, Il
perio of five or six months. The same
thug is introduced here now. Membe,
after member of this committee comes in
here and presents bills lor the consideration
of this body, ard immediately moves To
put them upon their passage. The whole
morning hour is thus wasted. and the mat.
ter goes on in this way from Monday morn
ing to Saturday night, putting of oil other
business until the CLOSE of the session.
hope this thug will not be tolerated. |
hope this Committee OF Public Lands will
BE- placed precisely where all other COM
mittees are placed and when they present
reports, the reports will be referred to the
Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union, 50 as to furnish the
House with an opportunity to investigate
them, and ascertain whether they are right
or wrong. This is the rule followed in
reference to the other committees OF this
body, and | ask that the same measure
which Is met-d out to the one may be
melted out tothe others. therefore move
that the bill be referred to the Committee
of the Whole on the state Of the Union.
MIR. DISNEY. | confess that | am
somewhat surprised at the remarks made
BY the gentleman from Virginia, Mr..
Letcher, aud the gentleman from New
York MIR. Dean. with regard to the ae-
ttion. of the Committee on Public Lands
The gentleman from Virginia talks about
the House not toleratins this sort Of pro-