The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-01
CONGRESSIONAL.
DEFE RED DEBATE.
MONDAY, MARCH az. 1854.


Mr. MASON. | move that The Senate proceed 10 The
consideration OF executive business
Mr. WALKER | move that the Senate proceed to
,he consideration oil the special order.
The PRESIDENT The senator from Virginia Mr.
MlsoNl has motion before the Senate.
,Mr WALKER do not think the motion of the sen.
ator has precedence II isa question: II understand it,
as 10 whether we shall postpone The special order
H0l The PRESIDENT That is true.
Mr. WALKER 1 wish that tbe Senate may under
stand distinctly what we are voting upon Ii is 10 post.
pone the special order, which is the homestead bill in
order to proceed 10 the consideration OF executive bust
ness II the Senate vote for that motion, shall not
rebel but, at the same time, prefer that the special
order shall take precedence.
The PRESIDENT. Does the senator from Virginia
Withdraw his motlons
Mr MASON | do not, sir
Mr. SHIELDS was about to appeal to the honor
able TO withdraw his notion for the purpose OF
allowing report and ask the Senate to consider two
joint resolutions from the House. One provides for the
distribution OF arms, and the other is explanatory OF the
law regulating the number of cadets 10 be appointed
the Military Academy a, West Point. hope both will
be passed without any debate would stale to the hon
oabe senator that the anxiety tor passing of these
joint resolutions is on account of the necessity OF ap
pointing cadets at this time 10 enter their classes That
resolution is in but few words-thee ls no amendment
to be made to it-aDd hope the honorable senator will
permit 10 be passed ths morning. as am very much
pressed by memters OF the House. and By the department.
TO have !, passed - as soon as possible
Mr. MASON. should be graifed if | could accede
the requests but cannot for which am
the senator will appreciate.
T.
very much to have an understanding to time at
which get the Senate TO take up the homestead
bill If there is TO be regular pitched battle between
the homestead bill and the Gadsden treaty. other
matter of that sort not proper be debated wish
10 know exactly when 1t is TO on, and to know it
as possible. | wish in other words, to divide
The time ii the executive sessions to be prolonged
much further. | make no announcement as TO my par
TALLY for either of those measures. | am openly for
one, and the other Is not matter ls1 about which am
privileged TO speak at present Wha' wish is fair
division OF the time between Them and want the friends
Of the homestead bill bring themselves up, night
and morning, 10 the scratch. that shall test The
matter before il ovetsaughed. know that that meas
ue has been oversaughed in time past under this sort OF
pressure ami wish 10 warn its friends that il will be
SO again, they DO no, guard against it. Ii has great
many enemies that it ought not 10 have, and aston
shed that should have them We are TO have severe
conflict tor and if the executive business is 10 be pro-
oDged Tor gleal period wish TO divide the time OF the
Senate between that and the homestead bill.
Mr.. BRODHEAD. Mr. President, there is another
bill in regard to which should like to make an inquiry
Of my friend from Iowa, he the chairman OF the
Committee Public Lands | have had, for some time,
before the committee, bill granting hundred and
sixty of land to each OF the old soldiers, and TO their
descendan,s and want to know what has become OF IT!
want lItiIe portion OF the iimenot day and night, as
the senator from Iowa wants, but small portion OF the
time OF the Senate for the consideration OF that bill Sir
there thousands. and tens of thousands IN The old
States Tho interested III II, and when we are consid-
eng homestead bills, and having them pressed upon u.s.
wish to inquire what has been done with the oil! to
which refer, which has been long before the Com
mitlee Pubic Lands Of The Senate /!
| Mr MASON. | submit if this debate is in order, on
the motion 10 proceed TO the consideration OF executive
The PRESIDENT The Chair is of opinion that il is.
Gentlemen have right 10 show why The Senate
should not proceed to the consideration of executive
business
Mr. WALKER The senator from Pennsylvania asks
what has becore of his bill TO give 10 each of the old
soldiers one hundred and sixty acres OF land | do not
think anybody will complain OF bis lack OF assiduy in
pursuing that matter He has been pressing al the heels
OF every land bill which has been before Congress Tor
some time. and be has met with but very little sympathy
from anybody else. can inform him, however, that |
have go, that bill IN my special charge, and am taking
particular OF 1t; and in order that his 'od soldiers
not get the advantage of body else propose
pass the homestead bill, and give homestead OF one
hundred and sixty OF land no, only TO each OF
hem buto everybody ese-and that, too, IN addition TO
what they have already ha Some OF them have re-
ceyed land for five minutes service; others for ten min
uss, for an hours, for days seivice; and we
Fopose to give TO each OF them, and 10 their widows and
her sons, snd their daughters, by the homestead bill,
one hundred and sixty OF land Unless the senator
particular as 10 the manner 10 which they shall get
he one hundred and sixty acres he need not press hs
od soldier bill very sireauously but let him vote for
tht homestead bill and when that passes, they Will get
one hundred and sixty acres, in addition to what they
have got under bills previously passed. can inform
him. also, that he shall have report on his bill before
agest whlle but canno, cay thai IL will be favorable
Mr.. GWlN shall not interpose any objection OF
obstacle 10 the consideration of executive business, but
notices have been served here in regard TO bills as 10
which should have precetence give notice 10 the Sen
ate and to the country that there Is another measure in
important tn.n all VI tnose, IN OF III
4 open session. which have been spoken Of which ! 10.
tend TO upon the Senate at early day IN prefer
enee 10 all ohen--l refer 10 the bill which was made
The special order for this day browsing Tor the con-
stfucon OF a railroad 10 connect the waters o the Mis-
nssipp with the Pacific an in favor of the
homestead bill | intend to vote for II precisely as u
came from the House Of Representatives, without dot
ing an . or crossing g.; but am determined 10 urge
The Pacific railroad bill as question OF more Importance
and hope those who favor OF both measures vii
not come into collision We are n this condition in
tad TO The measure which propose 10 press upon The
Senate nj early day has not yet been discussed m
sher house oi Congress this session fhe homestead
M has been fully dscns-ed and has been passed by the
House, and We take II up al any time II Is com
i pety within oontro The Pacihc-raifosd bill is
not. That s a subject which, VI not brought up at an
Early day, WILL fear be oversaughed and lost entirely
shall feel il 10 be my duty at early dsycerainy mol
beyond this day week-to ask the Senate 10 take ul
and dispose of that BILL matter what may be in the
way
Mt DOUGLAS | hope that some day will be agreed
II upon on which may consider the homestead bill
shd hope 1t will be early day, not TO conflict
w'hlhe favonte OF my friend from California
,he Paehc-raroad bill | do not know why can
ol make the homestead bill the special order Tor to-mor
NJ WALKER. II i. now The specia-order
WI, DOUGLAS Then ! hope may proceed with
l ~ TITS very important measure. II has passed
hoae o. Representatives twice, but we have never
ye' nso vote upon ii in this body bnk il is meas
s :, sueo uanseenden importance that we ought 70
n 'en preference, and proceed to its consideration.
Iyv ~sh 70 interfere with other business, but nope
Nsi OIL may not be postponed
i. ,bhl Mr President, | wish to state two rea-
s WY blnk il would be better deter the consd-
hoh o. ,ne homestead BILL and they are reasons which