The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-01-25

Il Ill IL lNlON
Both bills were read twice and referred 10 the Commit
Tee OF The Whole on the stale OF The Union
message from The President OF the United States
received by Mr.. Sidney Webster his private secretary.
informing The House OF having signed sundfy private
/ bills
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
On the motion OF Mr. MILLER OF Missouri. the House
then resolved itself into Com nee OF The Whoe on me
stale of the UDloa proceeded Mr ORR In the chal
the consideration Of the resolutions on be reference
OF the Presidents message. ,
MIR. OLIVER proceeded TO address the House on mat
portion OF The Presidents message which referred to the
imposition OF tonnage duties on domestic commerce 10 be
devoted 10 the Improvement OF rivers and haoofs Wheh
he first read that portion OF the Presidents message ne
loss know what Interpretation 10 put upon IT,
The message did not contain full and fair expression
oil the measure OF policy intended TO be pursued by gov
ernment What proposed 10 be accomplished by the
Presidents MESSAGE II nothing less than The over
throw OF the preseat system in relation 10 the improve
ment OF rivers and harbors and 10 recniy the rum OF
this system by means OF tonnage duties And what was
the apology oiered First, that the present system Ia
unconstitutional He declared it an Outrage and an
insult TO the intelligence and patriotism OF the American
people, II well known that the hfst congress
which mel under the constitution adopted the present sys
tenn That first Congress had voted money from me
treasury for The Improvement OF rivers and haroois anu
the erection OF light houses Mr. o. then proceeded TO
draw comparisons between the present President oil the
United States and the first President, under whom the
present system OF harbo and river improvements was IN
stuted and continued length to dcule the idea
that that system was unconstitutional. lie condemned
the tonnage duties as pressing most heavily upon the
working portion OF the community To levy duty ac-
cording TO weight was t,king larger proportion on
cheap fabrics than fine expensive goods which
made the tax unequal, and consequently unjust.
MIR. MAXWELL next obtained the hoor, but yielded
Mr.. KEIrT, who. in reply TO some remarks Of Mr..
OLIVER said that the State he had the honor to represent
(Soulh Carona) did continue to sustain Mr. Calhoun
that The only point in which they had differed from him
with regard TO the Memphis resolution, by which
he sought the aid Of the general government Tor the i'm
proveme OF certain harbors bat every other parc
uar the OF that gentleman stood FIRST and foremost
in the hearts of the people Of South Carolina.
/ MIR. MAXWELL then proceeded to discuss the ques.
ton OF making grants of public land for the purpose OF
constructing railways He defended the policy hitherto
pursued in granting certain alternate sections OF land or
railways constitutional grounds. The lines of rail-
road for which he asked grants would extendone OF
them from some point the Atlantic coast, or from
some tributary OF the Atlantic, crossing the peninsula
proper OF Florida at point south OF the Suwanee river
10 euch point may be designated by the State another
through Middle and West Florida. TO Pensacola, with a
connexion between the two which would constitute the
main trunk Of the thoroug hfare through Florida and
another line for which he asked grants from Mont
gonery, Alabama, TO Pensacola, Florida, He showed
that the lands through which these lines would pass, al
though almost worthless, would be rendered vaua
BILE by the improvements proposed The bills, il passed,
would give Florida about two millions OF acres. After
combating the idea that was showing unfair favor 10
particular States 70 grant them land for such purpose
Mr. NJ concluded by showing that the policy OF granting
land for railroads not only CONSTITUTIONAL but safe,
i sound )udcious and wise.
/ Mr.. ETHERIDGE obtained the floor; when the CON-
mtee and The House resumed lis ordinary business
LONDON EXHIBITION OF INDUSTRY
/ The SPEAKER laid before the House the following
message, received from the President OF the United
| States:
To The Senate and House Of Rspnsnta.ir0:
transmit to Congress report of the Secretary Of State
together with the Of works illustrative Of the Exhibition
IN Lon Ion oil 1901 TO which refers In order that such ans
posa may be made OF them as may be deemed sdyss9e'
WAsmSoroN, Jan %, 1854.
Ordered That the said message and report be referred
the Joint Committee the Library of Congress- and print
II DEATH M. BoDIsoo.
Mr. BAYLY, Of Virginia, said the House doubt.
less OF the fact that the Oldest member OF the d.
pomatc corps III this country bad recently departed this
life. The funeral OF The lamented Russian ambassador
was TO take place 10. morrow and many members
ohe House would wish 10 be present on that OCCASION
he would move that when the House adjourn adjourn
over ill Thursday next,
i Mr. BENTON said there many reasons why the
House should adjourn over From the long residence OF
the deceased among them they bad all, and especially
those tho bad been long time 10 Congress, contracted
relations OF private friendship which required, IN ODE
dence their feelings, that they should adopt thu
method OF paying their respect 10 bis memory. During
the long period the deceased had been resident in hs
country his urbanily and kindness towards every branch
OF the community bad secured for him not merely re
-pect, but affection he could rece numerous instances
N which his temperate policy had promoted harmony
among those whom passion had reused 10 strife Mr
Is then went on 10 review the diplomatic course OF ht
deceased, and showed how he had been The means o.
preserving peace between this country and the one he 20
ably represented.
{ MIR HOUSTON asked whether the motion made by
the gentleman IRON Virginia simply motion 10 ad
loun over, whether II was resolution IN relation
the decease OF Nj Bodiscol
The SPEAKER replied that il was simply motor
that when The House adjourn, adjourn over ll Thurs
day.
} Mr. HOUSTON. think this whole thing wrong
shall give my vote against H.
The motion then put and adopted, with but one
dssenlieni voice.
Ssndry private Senate bills were then taken up Iron
the Speakers table. read twice, and referred TO appro
pirate standing committees; alter which,
The House adjourned four O'Clock, until Thursday
PETITIONS, ETC UNDER THE RULE.
~ Mr.. FLORENCE, The petition Of Henry Hocksiras