Washington sentinel., 1854-07-23

government. ~ s
The Senate then adjourned
House Of Representatives.
SELECT COMMITTEE.
The following named gentlemen have been APP
pointed Us the select committee on the communi-
cation of Benjamin +. Green, refecting on the
representative character Of the Hon. Thomas H.
BAYLY: Messrs Wtte Of Pennsylvania, Miller Of
Indiana, Hill Of Kentucky, Shower Of Maryland
Valley of Massachusetts, Johnson Of Ohio, and
Rogers OF North Carolina.
PROHIBITION OF THE SALE OF INTOXICATING
DRINKS.
Mr.. SMITH, Of Tennessee, moved that the
House be discharged from the further consdern-
ton of the Senate bill 10 econfrm certain land
claims in Louisiana He yielded The floor to
Mr.. MAI, who made an adverse report on the
memorial of the New York city temperance alli-
ance, praying that Congress will coihe the cor
poration of Washington with power 10 prohibit the
sale Of intoxicating liquors within its limits; and
moved that it be laid on the table and printed.
Mr.. SMITH, of New York, moved that the re-
port be recommtted, with instructions to report
bill that shall clothe the corporation of Washing.
Ton with express and ample power TO prohibit the
sale Of intoxicating drinks in all places within its
limits
Mr.. HUNT appealed TO the gentleman TO waive
his motion, for the present. The gentleman from
Tennessee (Mr. SMITH) yielded the floor to the
should not lose his privilege by his poliieness.
The ball minated by the gentleman from Tennes-
zee affected the interests Of forty OF his (Mr
HUST's) constituents. He trusted the gentleman
from New York would acquiesce, as il was the
first favor he had asked at his hands.
II was suggested that the motion pending be
postponed until Monday.
Mr.. SMITH, ofNew York was willing for this,
could he be satisfied that no person would then
object and that he could then obta the floor
Mr.. GIDDINGS. Unanimous consent at this
time would fix il.
Mr.. MAY wished TO say the gentleman from
Tennessee yielded the floor 10 him for the purpose
of making the report; and having done this and
moved that it be printed, the gentleman is entitled
10 the floor. He was willing to Withdraw the re-
port, if he could do so, in order 10 restore the
gentleman TO his right.
Mr.. SMITH, of New York, objected to the
withdrawal Of the report.
Mr.. LETCHER inquired what was the obec,
Of the report.
Mr. MAY informed him that il was on the sub.
Ject Of the memorial OF the New York city tenn
perance alliance, praying that the corporate au-
thorites be invested with power TO prohibit the
sale Of Intoxicating liquors. The Committee on
the Judiciary had frequently been importuned TO
10 legisaie on the matter, but they had made this
adverse report on the distinct ground that the
present charter and amendments confer that power
now.
After further proceedings,
The SPEAKER asked whether there was OBJ
lection 10 the postponement Of the further con-
sideraiion Of this subject.
Mr. HOUSTON objected
Mr.. EDGERTON raised the point Of order, that
this was private bill day, and vote Of twoIhirds
was required to consider any other than private
business
The. SPEAKER overruled the point on the
ground that the report was made TO the House by
unanimous consent.
Mr. WASHBURN, OF Maine, suggested that
the consideration Of the motion Of Mr.. SIXTH be
postponed until after the bill indicated by the gen.
ileman from Tennessee shall have been disposed
Of
To this there was objection.
Mr.. SMITH, OF New York, said he had risen to
make his last Speech ns he intended TO leave Con-
gress AT the close OF the session; and he did not
think IL was generous 10 refuse TO hear him on
this subject. He bad risen TO speak on a matter
standing in close connexon with the great cause
OF temperance; cause which has laid near his
heart for many years, and which lies near the
heart ofmillions of the American people. His first
act on this floor, after having been sworn into OF.
fee, was TO present the memorial Of the New York
City Temperance Alliance, praying this city may
be clothed with ample power 10 restrain the traffic
Of Intoxicating drinks within its limits. He had
moved that the memorial be referred 10 a select
COMMITTEES. Until eight or ten days ago II slept
on the table, when, with great difsculiy, he pro-
cured It's reference 10 the Committee on the Judi
ciary and with great difficulty he had kept II
awake until this moment and now he had the
floor, which be would not surrender f
The gentleman from Louisiana lAfr. HUsTl had
spoken Of forty of his constituents being inter.
ested In the bill which the gentleman from Ten
nessec proposed TO take up and pass but millions
Of the whole world are vitality interested in his
tMr. SnrTnsl motion.
The Committee on the Judiciary were not
prompted, IN making their report, by any feelings
unfriendly 10 the cause of temperance He knew
that those gentlemen are friends of the cause
They Interpreted the charter as thew were bound
10 interpret II, for he had long held thar the power
TO regulate tho traffic in intoxicating drinks carried
with II that 10 prohibit and the power 10 license
not 10 license. He hoped, therefore. that those
gentlemen who produced this adverse report
would suffer no .disparagement in the opinion OF
The friends OF temperance.
He denied that civil government is the custo-
dian Of the peoples morals, and that il has power
even 10 promote or protect the peoples morals
Government is nothing more nor less than great
watch dog, which lies in front Of peoples houses
and is to lie outside and never 90 into their houses
Civil government should never mix itself up with
the affairs OF the people. Its duty is purely cx-
ternal and simply protective. Civil government
has nothing 10 do but protect persons and prop
crty; hence its duty TO suppress the sale Of in
,oxicating drinks.
Those points no argued and illustrated, briefly
depicting the evils Of intempersnce and asserting
that the only cure and sure preventive Of drink.
enness IL 10 be found in total abstinence. The
suppression Of the liquor traffic s indispensable 10
the protection OF the people, and essential to the
cause OF temperance. There was no duty moro
clearly within Legislative limits than the suppress