Washington sentinel., 1854-01-01
House Of Representatives.

Inc senate was mol IN session to-day, having ad
journed over TO Tuesday.
House of Representatives.
The Rev. w. II. MILLBURN, phe House hav-
ing been called TO order,) delivered the following
prayer:
Oh, Lord. we return our fervant thanks TO thee
that by thy providence, we are enabled TO see the
last day OF this year. As we are soon TO enter
upon the cares and responsibilities of another
profoundly affect our minds by the magnitude OF
lies issues, and the accountability which we are
under 10 Thee; impress upon all OF us the great
fact that every man is responsible 10 himself for
his right conduct Affect our hearts for the So
emn thought that ere another year shall pass,
some of us will. doubtless, lie "beneath the clods
of the Valley $50 teach us to number our days
that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom =
which we ask through Christ Jesus. Amen.
COAST SURVEY.
The Speaker laid before the House communi-
cation from the Secretary of the Treasury, encos-
ing the report of the Superintendent OF the Coast
Survey. Laid on the table, and ordered TO be
printed
A resolution was offered by Mr.. Houston, and
referred to the Committee on Printing, instructing
them 10 inquire into the propriety of printing ten
thousand extra copies OF the report five thou
sand for the use of the House, and the remainder
for that of the Coast Survey Office; and that the
same be printed with the plates, under the super
intendence of that Office
ERIE RAILROAD DISTURBANCES.
Mr.. HENDRICKS rose to present the memo
rial and proceedings of large meeting, held at
Indianapolis, Indiana with reference TO the OBJ
structon of travel and commerce, by the citizens
Of Erie, Pennsylvania. He had not filed tn, Use
papers with the Clerk of the House, because of
the high character of those who participated
in the proceedings and the importance of the
question involved. He thought il was his duty
to present them publicly and directly to the House
This, he said was not question of local concern; !;
ii was not question between the citizens of Erie
and the railroad company, but New York and all
the west have an interest in it. For many days
companies Of armed men, by threats, violence and
bloodshed, have held and obstructed one of the
great channels of commerce and trade between the
west and the east. III company of six, seven or
eight hundred men had invaded our borders and
interrupted our commerce, stopped our mails, and
hindered the free INSTRUMENTATION of the
people, the attention of the whole country would
at once have been arrested and the power of the
government commanded. The same section and
clause ofthe Constitution which conters the power
on this government TO repel invasion, also gives
the power and imposes the correlatve obligation
TO suppress insurrection. He would not say
whether this movement was of such character
to come within the provisions of the Constitu-
ton. He would say, however, that his section of
country was interested in having commerce free
on the routes OF traffic. He would not say what
line Of conduct the government should adopt He
would say that the question was of snch import
ance as TO demand the consideration of the House.
He moved that the memorial be referred TO the
Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr.. McNAIR said that the Legislature of Penn
syvania was about to assemble, and doubtless they
would take the subject into consideration, so far
Erie was concerned. No action was necessary
here. He had no doubt that the governor of that
State would mention the matter in his message
and that immediate action will be taken. He re-
peated he was satisfied Pennsylvania will settle
the question: so far as Erie is concerned.
Mr. RITCHIE, of Pennsylvania, remarked that
the subject should not have been brought forward
at all, as the whole subject is now before the SUI
preme court of Pennsylvania and the United
States district court for the western district of that
State. These courts have ample Jurisdiction
in the premises. The gentleman from Indiana
(Mr HENDRIcKs) was entirely in error. The facts
are simply these: The railroad passes through the
county Of Erie. The company was authorized to
build its road with gauge of four feet and eight
inches, under law of Pennsylvania. In defiance
of that law, the company laid down a gauge Of
six feet, and was itself the first aggressor. He
understood that the people of Erie are acting
under legal advice. There are differences Of
opinion. He understood that there would not be
the slightest difficulty in enforcing the decree of
the courts. The proceedings in Indiana were
based on an entire misapprehenson.
Mr. BOYCE, of South Carolina, said, in sub
stance. This is one of those accidents to which
they subject because they have not the institu
ton of slavery there II is only the beginning of
the end If we can do anything for you we will,
for we of the south are conservative. We can
only offer to you our sympathy. 1t is one of the
misfortunes TO which you are exposed, by having
your whole population made up Of - freemen.
[Laughter.l
Mr.. DICK of Pennsylvania, begged leave TO
present history ofthe difficulty; and had not pro-
decided far in his remarks before he was inter-
rupted by
MIR. DAVIS, of Indiana, who raised a point of
order:
Some conversation ensued, when, further de-
bate being out of order
The memorial was under the rules, referred 10
the Committee on Military Affairs.
APPROPRIATIONS BILLS.
Mr.. HOUSTON, from the Committee OF Ways
and Means, reported bill making appropriations
for the support of the army for the year ending
June 30, 1855, and
bill making appropriations for, the transpor-
tation OF the United States mails in ocean steam
ers and otherwise for the year ending June 30,
1855.
n Mr.. PHELPS, from the same committee re-
ported bill making appropriations for the sup
port of the naval service for the year ending June
80 1855.
to the committee Of the Whole on the State of the
Union.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
Mr.. HOUSTON asked that the estimates from
the Treasury Department for rivers and harbors
be referred to the Committee on Commerce
MR.. EWING said that nine-tenths of the ap-
preparations for those purposes were lavisbed
with prodgality the Atlantic seaboad before the
commerce of the west had an existence, and now
il was designed to distribute the spoils in similar
manner. He insisted that the estimates should be
referred TO the Committee on Roads and Canals
committee which, fortunately for the west, was
composed ofa majority Of members living in the
Mississippi valley, which labors under peculiar
difficulties; president not living in the west,
and finding it impossible to sympathize with the
people Of that section of the country He claim
ed, right, that committee favorable to ap-
preparations the Mississippi valley should have
charge of this matter.
Conversation ensued between several gentle
men, when
The further consideration of the subject was
postponed until Friday next.