Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-28
House of Representatives.

lerranean line of telegraph from the Missouri or
Mississippi river 10 the Pacific Ocean. Referred
TO the Committee OF the Whole on the state of the
Union.
On motion by Mr.. LATHAM, the House took
up, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands,
the Senate bill continuing in force for a limited
period, the act TO ascertain and settle private land
claims in California.
Mr.. SEYMOUR, in accordance with previous
notice, introduced bill making appropriations for
the improvement of the harbors of Bridgeport
Norwalk, and Stamford; which was referred to
the Committee on Commerce.
The House, on the motion of Mr.. HOUSTON,
resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole
on the state of the Union, (Mr. DAVIS, OF Indiana,
in the chairO and took up the bill making appro-
priations for the support Of thesarmy for the year
ending June 80, 1856.
Mr.. GIDDINGS inquired of MIR. HoUsToN
whether, in the appropriation of pay OF the army,
was included compensation to the Massachusetts
militia engaged in capturing the fugitive Anthony
Burns?
MIR. HOUSTON replied this bill had nothing to
do with the subject II merely proposed TO pay
the regular army.
The bill having been read through, it was,
without debate, laid aside 10 be reported 10 the
House.
Mr.. HOUSTON moved that the House take up
the bill making appropriations for the service OF
the Post Office Department for the fiscal year end
ing June 80, 1856.
Mr.. WASHBURNE, Of Illinois, insisted that
the first bill on the calendar, relative to swamp
lands, be taken up.
Mr.. HOUSTON replied, that many gentlemen
who are interested in that bill absent whereas
the appropriation bills can be examined and dis
posed of without full House, as he presumed
there would be no objection 10 them.
Mr.. WASHBURNE insisted on the regular or
der.
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee, reminded the gen.
tleman that il is specially provided by the rules
hat he rati0 sha ha foLa
up in order.
Mr.. WASHBURNE expressed the hope that
the motion of Mr. HoUsToN would be voted down.
The swamp land bill was one in which private
rights were involved, and he had received letters
from his constituents demanding early action.
The question having been taken on the motion
of Mr. HoUsToN, no quorum voted
The roll was called 10 note absehtces, when the
committee informally rose and the result was re.
ported TO the House by The Chairman.
The SPEAKER announced that quorum was
present; one hundred aud twenty-five members
having answered 10 their names
The House again went into committee, when
The bill making appropriations for the Post
Office Department was taken up, read, and laid
aside to be reported TO the House.
Mr.. HOUSTON objected TO the introduction of
the amendment which
The CHAIRMAN ruled out of order.
The bill for the relief of the purchasers and
locators of overlooked lands was taken up and
read; but before taking further action thereon, on
motion, the committee rose.
The CHAIRMAN reported the Army and Post
Office appropriation bills, and moved the previous
question.
The army and the Post Office appropriation
bills, under the operation of the previous question,
were severally passed.
The SPEAKER laid before the House COM
munication from the Postmaster General, in reply
10 a resolution Of the House asking for informa-
ton relative 10 the establishment Of a mail route
on the Mississippi river. Laid on the table, aud
ordered to be printed.
Mr.. READY introduced bill granting pen
sion TO Dolly EPSON which was referred TO the
Committee on Invalid Pensions.
Mr.. McDOUGALL presented paper from Col.
onel Fremont, describing his explorations made
last winter and il was ordered 10 be printed
MI. NOBLE introduced bill making an appro-
priation for continuing the public works al Mon
roe, Michigan and moved that it be referred 10
the Committee on Commerce.
Mr. HAVEN said that the House had better in
struct the committee TO report one hundred and
forty separate bills, and set apart a time 10 act
upon them, and send them TO the President 10 OBJ.
tain his views on them for his opinion, il seemed
could be obtained in no other way. The House
could Just as well pass that number OF bills as
one.
Mr.. CAMPBELL said the gentleman might
Just as well report separate bills for the itemsin
the civil and diplomatic appropriation bill as on
the subject Of internal improvements He never
n
ton, and never would.
Mr.. HAVEN replied, he wished TO surmount
difficulty. The President promised when he sent
in his veto Of the river and harbor BILL that he
would communicate his reasons at length But
the message had NOT vet been received He
hoped that II would be sent in so that the House
and the country may whether the business OF
legislation is 10 be confined 10 officers Of the Gov.
eminent, and them alone.
Mr.. CAMPBELL said the Constitution requires
al H. n.
holds his signature, with his reasons therefor. He
appealed 10 the House, on-a former occasion, 10
delay action the river and harbor BILL after IL
was returned, in order TO give the Presden; time
to communicate, at length, his reasons for the
veto, and that they might be spread on the Jour.
nal but to this the House disagreed II was due
to the President that this courtesy should have
been extended to him.
Mr.. BOCOCK asked the gentleman what particu
lar reason he had for desiring the message of the
President. There found men enough here
10 prevent the passage Of the river and harbor
bill Did the gentleman think the message would
induce those who voted against the bill to vote for
Il, or did the gentleman waRt the reasons for the
purpose Of swelling the vote against the bill?
Mr.. CAMPBELL repeated, il was due to the
President, time should have been allowed for the
reception Of the reasons for vetoing the bill in
question. He Mr.. CAMPBELL has no idea OF
changing his opinions, though they might be SUBJ
Ject TO change.
Mr.. HAVEN said his idea of passing separate |
bills was TO obtain the views of the Executive on |
the subject.
Mr.. BAYLY said that a prominent statesman, |
Silas Wright, held that appropriations for internal
Improvements should be made in separate bills |
each standing on its own basis and this was made
an objection by the gentleman from New York
Mr. HAVEN begged the gentlemans pardon |
His proposition was, that the Committee on Com |
merce should be instructed 10 report separate bills
and not deal otherwise
Mr.. BAYLY replied, the items had better come |
in together; for, II every one brought in his bill, |
they would ell club in together TO pass them. He
liked the first message Of the President and was /
sorry there was disposition on the part Of the
Executive 10 depart from the early practice IN
reaton 70 the Veto He had seen the veto of |
President Washington, in which he merely stated
his objections, without Argument combining him.
selfto the Constitution, merely assigning bis oh.
jections.
Mr. WASHBURN, Of Maine, said that Silss
Wright, like the gentleman from Virgins. TMr.
BAYLY, was opposed 10 all appropriations for in
iernsl improvements. He believed, therefore, as |