Washington sentinel., 1854-02-08

winch do come up ever prove Denenclai 10 tne re-
gions TO which they sent. He agreed with the
gentleman entirely that il is laudable and praise
worthy that the agrculturainterests ofthe country
should be improved and promoted but how can
this be best done BY leaving individuals TO se-
ect their own seed, and pay for them. This voting
often thousand dollars amounts to electioneer-
ing fundto members of Congress. They send the
seeds TO their favores, and the great body OF the
people get none. They have TO pay for them. Il
is system of favoritism and partiality, which
should no in his opinion be practised or recog-
nised by this government.
Mr. TAYLOR said that, since he had been
member of Congress, five or six years, he had
received seed from the Patent Office which had
been of great value to the country. Wheat from
the Mediterranean, and from California and from
various portions OF Europe, has been received
and distributed Thus more useful product has
been introduced than we have at home. AT all
events, the distribution produces experiments and
does good. He thought there should be an agri-
cultural bureau, which has been recommended by
every President from the days of Washington i
Mr.. HOUSTON suggested it was now too late
TO send the seed to the southern and the south
western parts of the countryto be successfully cu-
tivatcd this year; and asked whether it would not
be better so to amend the amendment authorizing
the collection Of seeds at period soon enough 10
make the proposed distribution early next autumn.
Mr.. SAGE said that ifany people are entitled to
the protection OF the government, II is the agricu-
tural and farming. He was glad that the amend
ment was brought forward Instead of decreas-
ing, he would prefer that the amount should be
increased. This may be "humbug," as the gen.
tleman from Tennessee Mr.. JoNEs] called it Il but
if So there were many greater humbugs legislated
upon this hall.
Mr.. HUNT said that, ifit was too late to serve
one-half of the country with lands, it was no
reason why the other half should not be served.
When he heard of the expression of friendship
by the gentleman from Alabama, (Mr. HousToN,)
he distrusted it. They were here to promote the
interests OF agriculture, and this was the way to
do it. II was TO be expected that the gentleman,
(Mr. JONES' of Tennessee,) who proposes nothing
and opposes everything, should oppose this meas
ure.
Mr.. HOUSTON said that the gentleman might
entertain what opinion he pleased as to his friend
ship. He presumed that other gentlemen under
stood that he did not oppose the amendment He
had merely made a suggestion that in his opinion
it was now too late TO procure seeds for dstribu-
tion. Eisse
Mr.. CLARK explained. Grains and bulbs had
been received from foreign governments, and this
imposed duty on the Patent Office to reciprocate
the presents.
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee, said the gentleman
who had just addressed the committee had given
one of the best reasons, and which was entirely
conclusive to his mind. against the amendment; !;
and that is, that the Commissioner Of Patents has
agreed to interchange seeds with foreign govern
ments, and thereby has incurred responsibility
which is not authorized by law and for one, he
did not intend to vote to comply with an obligation
of any executive officer, from the President down,
contracted without authority of law.
Mr., CHAMBERLAIN advocated the amend
ment stating that in some portions of the country
those seeds could be planted in the spring and in
other portions at any time of the year. Had it
come to this, that, while Congress was expending
millions and millions of dollars for every conceiv-
able purpose under heaven, we should put off till
fall little pittance Of ten thousand dollars for the
great body of agricultursts?
Mr.. GERRIT SMITH opposed the amendment,
conceiving that the only Office of government is to
hold its shield over the heads of its subjects, and to
shelter them from foreign aggression and protect
them from aggression on one another.
Mr.. WADE spoke as TO the advantages result.
ing from the distribution of seeds, and said that
the government could not be better employed
at the present than BY promoting that interest
which lies at the foundation of its prosperity
Mr.. MoMULLEN opposed the amendment. 1t
seemed to him that the appropriation was rather
extravagant, and, besides, It was now too late to
distribute seeds.
Mr. MIDDLESWARTH, coming from an ag-
ricutural district, spoke in favor Of the amend
ment, and said, as an argument in favor Of the
distribution Of Seed that the very best quality Of
wheat, often being used for considerable time
in particular soil, will deteriorate.
Mr.. CAMPBELL was in favor Of the amend
ment. He could not concur in the opinions ex-
pressed by the gentleman from New York. (Mr.
GERRIr SMITH) 1t was our duty to protect the ag-
ricutural interests and the industrial arts. He
disliked to see want of harmony among the
friends offreedom of any party. This was time
when there ought TO be the greatest harmony
among them He should dislike, at so interesting
period, 10 see the party bursting itself on the
seed question [Laughter.l He hoped they would
cultivate more fraternal feeling on the seed
question.
Mr. SIMMONS earnestly advocated the amend
ment, and he was followed by
4 Mr.. FLORENCE, on the same side Of the ques-
ton, who wished to enable his constituents in
Passayunk to improve the character ofther vege-
tables, the best now found in the Philadelphia
market. Etr-g
u Mr. PRATT said this seemed to be a fruitful
theme for debate, and afforded capital subject
for those who talk to Buncombe. All at the same
time profess to be friendly to agricuurists, while
they declare themselves TO be economists. II is
said time is money! Now, would it not be
well to vote five or ten thousand dollars at once,
and thus save the amount in time by taking the
questions? -
The amendment was then agreed to. F
Other amendments were acted upon, when,
without disposing Of the bill, the committee rose
And the House adjourned.
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