The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-03-02
CONGRESS-.
THIRTY. THIRD CoNGRkss-FIRsT SESSION

Senate, Tuesday, February 81, 1854.
Mr.. Bayard presented FIVE petitions, praying
that in the establishment of Nebraska, and all
other Territorial Governments, Congress will
frame them on the principle of non interven-
ton by Congress with the subject of Slavery in
the Territories.
On motion by Mr.. Foot the Senate proceed
ed to the Consideration of the bill granting
land to the several States for the support and
maintenance of the INDECENT insane.
Mr.. Foot briefly explained the bill, and in
feeling and eloquent terms pointed out the hu-
name character of the bill, and the moral he
roism of the noble hearted lady Miss Dix who
had 80 long and urgently pressed this motion.
The hour of one having arrived the bill was
postponed, and the Senate proceeded to con-
slider the bill providing Territorial Govern
ment for Nebraska.
Mr.. Cass made some additional observations
in reply to the remarks made yesterday by Mr.
Petit.
Mr. Sumner then addressed the Senate.
House Of Representatives, Feb. 81, 1854.
On motion Of Mr.. Campbell, the House re-
solved itself into Committee of the Whole, Mr..
Odds in the chair.
Mr.. ]. @. Allen, of Illinois, addressed the
Committee in support of the Nebraska bill.
Mr.. Dent, of Georgia, followed, and said
that he felt it to be bis duty, though a new
member, and unaccustOmed to the business OF
legislative bodies to oppose the Homestead
bill, now before this body. The bill is unfair
and unjust. The pauper population OF Eu-
rope are thus invited to come to our shores.
Mr. Dawron here stated that the provision
only embraced those here now.
MIR. Dent proceeded He would bestow the
lands upon none but those who had fought for
them. A mania for giving land away had
grown up, and it ought to be checked. For
eign paupers rsg-tag and bob tails-felows too
lazy to work-were to receive this land. Rail
road and other favored companies were also
receiving the lands But he averred that the
lands were not the property of the General
Government. 1t held them in trust, and should
administer the trust faithfully. The favor
shown to the new States was unfair. The policy
was not democratic. Neither the lands nor
the proceeds of their sale should be thus used
He was in favor of free trade, and wanted to
create no necessity for tariff
We owe debts-debts of honor-to portions
of our own people. Our bounty land laws are un-
equal and unjust Many are unrewarded. Seek
out the men of merit, and reward them, but do
not throw away your wealth.
He was the friend of all kinds of improve
ments, but he wished to see them made in
legitimate manner Railroad companies should
prosecute their enterprises as other people do ];
their enterprises should pay.
Mr. Grow addressed the Committee on the
same subject. He saw no objection to giving
home to those who come to our shores from
other chimes. These people will come; we
have room for them why not induce them to
leave the purlieus of our cities, and establish
themselves upon such homes as they will cling
to and improve?
MIR. Smith, of Virginia, briefly stated his OBJ
jections to the BILL and utterly denied the
power of the Government to give away the
common property of the Union.
Mr. Gerrit Smith, of New York, advocated
the bill, because, he said, in the view which he
took of it it was an admission that the Gov
eminent did not own these lands, and that the
The hour of three o'clock having arrived, to
which the debate had been limited by the
House, Mr. Dawson, the member reporting the
measure made brief reply to the objections
which had been urged against the bill
The Committee then rose, and the House re-
sumed the consideration of the bill extending
the provisions of the several laws granting
bounty lands to the officers and soldiers who
have been engaged in the military service of
the United States-the question being on the
motion that it be laid ON the table
The motion was disagreed to-ayes Sc, noes
~.
The bill was then referred to the Committee
of the Whole on the state Of the Union.
On motion of Mr.. Wright, of Pennsylvania,
the House adjourned to Thursday-W ednesdsy
being the birthday of Washington.
ceaae Thurs,Iau Feb % 1874