Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-01-24
House Of Representatives.

T III,
tive to certain surveys; which were referred to
the Committee on Commerce.
Mr.. HUNT offered a resolution, directing the
clerk OF the House to pay to the widow of s. s.
Prentiss, late of Mississippi any balance which
may be due on account of mileage, under the
resolution Of February 6, 1888, while he and Mr..
Word were contrasting the seats of Messrs CIAI-
BORNE and GHoLsoN, of that State. THE balance
due 10 the estate is over $700.
The question having been taken, the resolution
was adopted.
UTAH.
On motion Of Mr.. BERNHISEL, it was
Resolved That the Committee on Territories be instructed
Of the Oregon land the Territory Of Utah and
that they report by bill or otherwise.
RICULTURAL BUREAU.
On motion Of Mr.. BENSON, il was
Resored, That the Committee on Agriculture be in
structed to inquire into the expedency OF establishing
Agricultural Bureau to DO connected with the Department
OF the Interior, and that they report by bill otherwise
VIRGINIA MILITARY LAND DISTRICT.
On motion OF Mr.. TAYLOR, Of Ohio, it was
Resolved, That the Committee Public Lands be in
sructed to inquire what legislation Is necessary In rea
ton to the residue Of land lying Virginia military
district in Ohio and that they report by bill otherwise
Several other resolutions, calling for informa-
ton, were adopted.
n ERIE RAILROAD DIFFICULTIES.
The House resolved itself into Committee Of
the Whole on the state Of the Union--Mr. ORR, in
the chair--and resumed the consideration OF the
consideration of the resolutions proposing to refer
the various branches Of the Presidents annual
message 10 the appropriate standing committees.
Mr.. WADE said that, when the House were
last in Committee, there was contest between
the "hards and the "softs," and this created
much excitement, and excluded the discussion of
any other subject He had himself made up his
mind as to the merits of the controversy, he hoped
conclusively. He was reminded of what LAWYERS
call proceedings at law with cross bill. In his
opinion, both parties had succeeded in showing
they are entitled 10 relief which, he trusted they
would not receive, II was his intention 10 60 in
10 an examination Of that subject, because il was,
with him and his constituents kind Of Kilkenny
cat affair. He was content the two parties should
eat each other up.
He then proceeded TO speak ofthe Erie railroad
controversy, accusing Pennsylvania OF bad faith,
and with stopping the travel on that route. That
State was to- blame, and the difficulties had their
inception in fraud on the people of the west.
There is no justification of her course. He i'm
plored the committee to look at this subject in its
true light
Mr.. RIFCHIE, Of Pennsylvania, briefly set
forth the facts in the case under discussion, in
sisting that the locating of the road at Erie was
invasion, by Ohio, OF the territory Of Pennsyl.
vania, TO the ruin of the harbor Of Erie. So fer
from that State being of the character the gentle
man who preceded him had represented, her his
tory, from her foundation to the present time was
marked by Kindness courtesy, and honor
Mr.. DRUM said that the reproach cast on Penn
sylvania by the gentleman from Ohio was alto
gether uncalled for. He thought there could be
no occasion for the discussion of the question
here, as il was one on which The general govern
ment could not act. Because a small portion Of
the population of Pennsylvania have thought
proper TO right themselves by force, was not a
sufficient warrant for the gentleman to attack the
entire population and the public faith OF that
State.
Mr.. CAMPBELL took the ground that the Erie
difficulties were not Of local character merely,
but affected national interests, as the commerce of
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and other States was OBJ
structed and the transit of the mails prevented
The President of the United States and the federal
courts should enforce the laws in the premises
Mr.. WASIIBURN, Of Illinois, regretted that a |
State like Pennsylvania the great keystone Of the
national arch. should yield its name to uphold the
Erie mob. What, he asked, can she expect If she |
deals with the west in this way, obstructing the |
travel and commerce with the several Staiesf
Mr.. OLIVER, of Missouri, obtained the floor, |
when the committee rose,
And the House adjourned.