Washington sentinel., 1854-03-07
Q WISCONSIN RAILROAD GRANT.
SPEECH OF HON. JOHN LETCHER.

Mr.. LETCHER obtained The moor
Mr. JONES, Of Tennessee. II The gentleman
from Virginia Mr. LETcHER will yield the floor,
/ will move that the House resolve itself into
the Committee OF the Whole on the state of the
Union.
the gentlemen from Tennessee TO make that mo-
tion, will be entitled TO the floor in the morn
ing
ginia would be entitled TO the floor.
Mr.. JONES | then make the motion that the
House resolve itself into the Committee Of the
Whole on the state ofihe Union.
Mr. SEWARD. l rise TO a question of order.
The House having refused TO sustain the demand
for the previous question, the subject must lie
oyer one day. Ii is absurd, after the House has
refused TO second the demand for the previous
question, TO go on with the consideration and dis
cussion of the bill.
The SPEAKER The practice Of the House
IS, that if the House refuse order the main ques
tion, The subject must go one day; but, fail.
ing TO second the demand for the previous ques-
ton, leaves the subject under consideration where
il was before the demand was made The ques-
ton is upon the motion TO go into the Committee
of the Whole on the state of the Union-
Mr. HAMILTON. l rise TO question of or
der. ! want 10 know how the foor has been
taken from the gentleman from Virginiaa Mr..
The SPEAKER. The gentleman from vir-
ginia yielded the floor 10 another gentleman for
the purpose of making the motion that the House
resolve ltSelf INTO tne COmulltee OIL the w hole
the stale Of The Union.
The question taken: and. upon division
there were-yeas 81; further count not being de-
manded.
So the House refused to go into the Committee
of the Whole on the state of the Union.
The SPEAKER. The gentleman from Yir-
gina Mr.. LETcHER is now entitled TO the floor.
MIR. DISNEY. rise TO question of order. !
desire TO know if the gentleman from Virginia did
not speak upon this question Thursday last,
when he Objected to m no he floor
Mr. LETCHER. do not reckon he did.
Mr.. DISNEY. Well, sir, do reckon he did,
[Laughier4
Mr.. LETCHER. Then l appeal to the Chair
10 decide between us. There another ques
ton under consideration the other day in rela-
tion 10 which motion had been made 10 refer II
10 the Committee Of the Whole on the state OF
The Union. | then made some reference 10 this |
railroad BILL and the gentleman from Ohio called
me 10 order. Does the gentleman recollect that !?
Mr. DISNEY. do.
Mr.. LETCHER. And the gentleman told me
that should have fair chance 10 discuss this bill
before the vote was taken
Mr.. DISNEY. | ask that the Chair shall de. |
eide the question whether the gentleman from |
Virginia is entitled 10 the floor? My recolection |
and that of other members of the House is, that |
the gentleman has spoken once upon this subject |
and is, therefore. not entitled 10 the floor. So far
rs am concerned, have objection 10 his |
going on, but ask the Chair to decide the ques
tlon.
ginia had spoken once upon the question pending |
he would be entitled 10 the floor if no other gen.
tieman desired 10 speak The gentleman from
Ohio cannot claim it for himself because he has |
certainly spoken once upon the question.
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee. i would inquire
if The gentleman from Ohio Mr. DISNEY has not I
already spoken twice upon this question
The SPEAKER. Not on the motion 10 commit.
Mr.. JONES. Then he is still entitled 10 another
hour
The SPEAKER. The gentleman from Ohio
IS entitled under the rule 10 close debate upon
the bill.
Mr., LETCHER. Mr. Speaker, it seems 10 me
,ha, the policy which has been adopted with
regard 10 this bill, indicates very clearly to the |
House the necessity for thorough examination !
of all the measures OF this character which are |
presented for consideration. 1t seems 10 me |
that this policy proves conclusively the proprety
of referring all such measures TO committee OF
the whole House, where an opportunity may be
given for discussion and investigation in regard 10
their merits
Now, sir, here is proposition which has been
brought into this House, and without giving any
member opportunity Of examining into its de-
tails, the principles involved in il, motion TO
stop debate is made by the chairman of the Com
mittee on Public Lands, (Mr. DisNEY,) after
speech from himself, and after another speech
from member who is interested in this road.
Aitertwo speeches upon one side, and none upon
the other, an attempt is made TO gag everybody
who is opposed to il, and rush il through the
House under the operation of the previous ques-
ton.
Sir, ifthis proposition had merits, if It's various
provisions could bear the test of careful examina-
ton, If the considerations which alluded 10 by
the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. WELLS on
yesterday, could bear the light for single mo-
ment, would such course as this have been
adopted | was struck with the avowal made
upon this floor yesterday, by the gentleman from
Wisconsin. / do not know what part of the State
he comes from .t &
MEMBER From Milwaukee.
MIR. LETCHER. Yes, from Milwaukee. He
told US that he opposed TO this bill that he
had opposed il in committee but that he intended
10 wait. under an understanding with his col
leagues here, TO see whether contract was TO be
executed. What contract? What contract has
been made between these parties! What is the
understanding alluded 10, by which the vote of a
member upon proposition he disapproves Of is
so influenced that il may be cast in favor of it, pro-
vded other parties will do something as an equiv
entt
Mr. EASTMAN. feel ii, my duty TO inlerrup,
the gentleman.
The SPEAKER Does the gentleman from
Virginia yield the floor?
. Mr.. LETCHER. Oh, certainly. ] shall not
Mr. EASTMAN. ! desire TO correct state
ment of fact, and 10 set the gentleman right as he
goes along ] did not understand my colleague as
saying what the gentleman has put into his mouth,
and, with the leave of the House will read what
he did say. Mr.. WELLS said
The gentleman from Illinois Mr. WENTWORTH has
called upon say whether acquiece in this
would reply that have been opposed to IT, opposed
II before the committee. have hesitation In saying
that II is generally considered upayorable 10 the Nil
wauke and Lake Shore interests The bill having passed
the senate, to the House The majority Of the
mittee we're In favor Of it. The rest Of the delegation
from Wisconsin known TO advocate its passage; and
had concluded not TO make open opposition IL this
floor with the understanding that my colleague would
also remain silent and that should the House
pass upon its merits after both sides fairly
sented by those not immediately interested. have
hpR.
favorable consideration 70 other bills, which would
directly benefit the interests which Immediately
represent"
That is what he did say.
A MEMyER. All but there was something
more after that.
Mr.. LETCHER. Wait moment and will
read il for the gentleman.
Mr.. EASTMAN. Yes, he went on further &c
say, in answer 10 question whether he woule
vote for the bill
Il suppose have the right 10 afirmatvely, o