The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-18
House OF Representatives.
The House went into committee on

House CT Representatives.
WASHINGTON, May IT, 1854
The House went into committee on
THE NEBRASKA BILL
Mr. READY. (whig) Of Tenn, stated that he peeerre
the Senate bill to the amendment proposed by the gentle
man from Illinois, Ir Richards on) but at the same
time he should not be very scrupuous In looking at
minutin of the bill, to hunt out objections TO the
substitute inasmuch he perceived the amendment EN-
bodies the great principle which the bin 10 based and
importance. He willing to take either the Senate
bill or the amendment. His party views dincreu.
from those Of the administrator but this should not
control his action here great national question.
Mr. ETiit1uDGE (whig) Of Tenn, asked whether the
majority had not been endeavoring TO force unw
ing people measure for which they have asked
If The House had been left to ITSELF free from threats
and promset from the other end of the avenue thou
sand and cabinet consultations could not have
prevented the bill from being buried deep that il
would have been heard of again. and there would
have been no mourners, except those who keep watch
near what was supposed at one time to be its dying
couch lie desired to be heard from the Southern por
tion OF the country and argued that neither they
any person could be benefited by the repeal of the Mis-
souri, compromise. On the contrary, nothing but
ger could grow out OF the madness started life
In conclusion he said gentleman from Kentucky (Mr
Cox,) has called this whig measure. This reminded
him of anccdote which he would tell with permission
of the committee Cres from every direction, "Tell
tell it, He said: Capt Miller was well known cap
tain the Mississippi river. Tho clerk seeing
afar off the shore waving a torch, rounded up the
boat when the loudly called out to know whether
response he said he wanted to him. but this request
met by the clerk with the remark that the captain
having been up late, was asleep: Said the clerk Tel
me your business and I'll attend to it for you" mo-
no, said the other 81 must him; he Is very
relative Of mine" g To what extentY inquired the
clerk sWby he is the father of my wifes first child
Excessive and long continued laughtcr) So said Mr.
Mheridge, If court were convened to inquire into the
paternity of the Nebraska bill, they would say Judge
Douglas is the father OF this child. Renewed laugh
ter
Mr.. OLIVER (whg), of Mo-, said he had no anecdoe to
produce laughter That which the gentleman who last
spoke had related he apprehended for the purpose
oil diverng the attention OF the House. The Missouri
compromise did not give reposc to distracted country
the North repudated it in year after its passage
and the records prove this.
While he was speaking, at half-past two O'Clock, a
tremendous storm of wind and rain, accompanied by
thunder and lightning burst forth, causing great
motion in the hail. Owing to the darkness and rattng
Of the windows, he suspended his remarks for ten
minutes The chandelier had TO be lighted, but by the
time Mr. Oliver finished the out
Mr. BESsE1T, (whig) Of N X, said-The bill, by the
to territory Free If this is not the object Of
BILL such will be its effects. The compromise measures
of 1850 were passed TO settle forever the difficulty
arising OF slavery Now contrary to promises,
have ncw reckless, and wanton agitation thrust upon
unnecessarily, without The bill originated in
Washington without any expressed desire for it from
any section Of the country The repeal of the Missouri
compromise would bring the Union to the verge of dis
solution Pass this bill, and another slave State viii
never come into this confederacy.
Mr.. SrRAuB, (den) Of Pa obtained the floor at half
past four O'Clock, but gave way to
give full opportunity for debate moved nat the House
take recess till seven O'Clock
Mr. SAGE, (whg) Of n. " thought Ii would be too
we're a tax to keep members here till midnight
Mr.. HUGHES, (dem.) of N. X, asked for division on
the question.
The CHAIRMAN rcmarkea-If the House divided, it
would be found without quorum. Not more than thr
ty members were present.
Mr.. STRAUB refused TO give way for adjournment,
and spoke in favor of the Nebraska BILL He could
occasion for hostile feeling this subject and why
the ocean should be tempest tossed to watt q fca-
ther or drowE fly. To his mind there simple
question involved and that the right of the people
to govern themselves, and for this he earnestly
tended
At halfpast five tie House took a until seven
O'Clock.
At the time fixed for reassembling there were but
twenty members in attendance
Mr.. WADE free soi) of Ohio exposed the inconsis-
tencics of what he termed this tdecetfL and lying
bilu IT, he said you amend the bill and say, oil til
male population Of these Territories shall determine their
institutions for themselves by popular vote, then viii
my feeble opposition TO this measure and cease to
agate the question before the people Of the country
but you shall determine the color Of the people to take
this matter into their hands, you must say black
persons not people. There will be end to the
controversy and think warranted in saying every
opponent Of the bill viii withdraw his objection to it,
and will carry out the doctrine Of nonntervention,
and bring ii here to the District of Columbia and say to
Congress, hands off," In reply to the gentlemen who
had preceded him. he said slavery would certainly
there you take down the fence which guards the
Territories.
The committee at eight O'Clock nobody being dis
posed to speak, and the House adjourned.