Washington sentinel., 1854-04-27
House Of Representatives.

Mr.. HOUSTON, from the Committee Of Ways
and Means, reported bill making appropriations
for the service the Post Office Department dur.
ing the fiscal year ending the 30th Of June 1855.
Referred to the Committee Of the Whole on the
state Of the Union.
Mr.. McDOUGAL reported bill 10 refund to
the State of California the expenses incurred for
suppressng Indian aggressons in that State.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGES.
Mr.. PARKER reported bill TO regulate tho
salaries Of the district Judges of the United States
and on MS motion il was referred to the Commit
tee on the Judiciary.
Mr.. HOUSTON moved a Reconsideration of tbs
vote just taken, with view of having the bill sent
70 the Committee Of the Whole on the state of the
Union. More time was consumed iu avoiding
giving bills that direction than in considering and
Mr. LETCHER said that this bill was one Of
the most reasonable propositions which had como
from any of the committees. For the last month
committees had reported bills which were rushed
through the House without afordng an opportu-
nifty for consideration or amendment. 1t was SO
with the clerks salary bill, the other day.
Mr.. HOUSTON said that the Committee on
Ways and Means did not contemplate any such
thing.
Mr.. LETCHER replied, no matter what was
the instruction of the committees it was put on its
passage.
Mr.. ROBBINS said that he was instructedbyt
Committee of Ways and Means to report q sub
X,
declared his preference for the original bill OF the
Senate.
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee, said that only ono
or two of the members Of that committee voted
on that occasion for suspension of the rules
which required that bill, it containing an appro-
priation, TO be first considered in Committee of the
Whole on the state ofthe Union
Mr.. LETCHER remarked he did not charge any
member with impropriety. If gentleman should
think that measure is of sufficient importanceto to
fia mi nd nndia for fo acf
accordingly. Other bills were reported and acted
on without being referred to the Committee ofthe
Whole on the state of the Union. Why make an
exception to this bill? Many Of the district judges
receive less pay than the third class clerks under
the general government and why object when
proposition is introduced to regulate their salariesf
He moved to lay the motion to reconsider on the
table.
The motion was agreed TO.
GRANTS OF LANDS.
The House resumed the consideration Of the
bill granting lands equally to the several States to
aid in the construction of railroads, and for the
support of schools.
Mr.. BENNETT tthe measure having been in
.troduced by him) briefly explained and advocated
its passage.
Mr.. DISNEY obtained the floor, but gave way
for motion that the House resolve itself into
Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union;
which prevailed.
DEflClENCf BILLr-NEbhASkAs
The bill making appropriations for supplying
deficiencies in the appropriations for the year
ending June 80, 1854, was taken up, Mr.. CHArDLBE
in the chair.
Mr.. HARRIS, of Mississippi, resumed his re-
marks from Monday last in opposition to the
Nebraska and Kansas BILL He examined the pro-
visions of the measure in legal point of view,
and, with reference to the Missouri act OF 1920,
said it should be repealed boldly directly, or not
at all. If Congress were not prepared TO repeal
it, lei it stand.
Mr.. HESTER proceeded to show that the pro-
position to repeal the Missouri act of 1920 was OF
recent origin. II was not contemplated by che
compromise OF 1850, or, If Contemplated was con-
cealed. He avowed himself in favor Of that COM
promise, but was opposed to any interpretations,
such as was proposed by the Nebraska bill, which
he generally opposed.
Mr. TAYLOR, of Ohio, afier few preliminary
remarks. TO show that this was an administration
measure and introduced TO retrieve the fallen for
tunes Of the administration argued against the re-
neal of the Missouri act Of 1870. IL Congress
should repeal il, they would set precedent by
which all other compromises would be repealed.
and leave such action 10 a numerical majority,
and not 10 the patriotism and good sense of the
country. He explained, at length, his objections
to the Observation-Disclosures BILL
Mr.. BARRY obtained the floor, when ON mo-
tion, the committee rose,
And the House adjourned.