Washington sentinel., 1854-05-05
House of Representatives.
TERRITORIAL BUSINESS,


The House resolved itself into Committee of
the Whole on the state Of the Union, Mr. PHELPS
in the chair, and resumed the consideration of the
bill 10 amend the act approved September 81, 1852,
10 create the office of fsurveyor-genera ofthe pub
lie lands in Oregon, &c, and also the act amenda-
tory thereof approved February 10, 1853.
1t proposes TO grant lands TO the settlers in the
Territory of Washington on the terms as
were heretofore enacted for settlers in Oregon
The bill was laid aside to be reported TO the
House
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
The committee proceeded to the consideration
of the bill TO establish the Office of surveyorgen-
era in Utah, 10 grant donations TO actual settlers
therein, and for other purposes
Mr. DISNEY moved an amendment to the first
section of the bill, TO read, sthat 10 every white
male citizen of the United States, or every white
male over twenty-one years OF age, who has de-
clared his intention TO become a citizen and who
is now resident Of said Territory or who, prior
TO January l. 1855, shall remove 10 and settle in
said Territory, and continue 10 reside therein,
!, shall be donated one hundred and sixty acres, on
condition Of actual settlement and cultivation for
moi less than four years. &C. He desired to say
that this amendment was Identical with that made
TO the New Mexico bill
Ii was agreed TO.
The third section being under consideration,
Mr.. BERNIiISEL, the delegate from Utah,
moved 10 strike out the following proviso:
TO any person who shall now any time hereafter
the husband of more than one wife,
Mr.. HAVEN expressed the hope that the amend
ment would prevail, as he did not desire by any
legislative act here, 10 recognise any such impu.
tation as bigamy.
Mr.. LETCHER thought il would be well 10 let
the proviso alone. The only objection was, that
the committee did not apply the same restriction
10 the salaried officer, the surveyor general as
provided for in the bill lie could not understand
why man receiving three thousand dollars from
the government should be allowed 10 have half a
dozen wives, and restriction in this respect ap-
piled 10 the settlers alone
MIR. DAVIS, of fRhode Island, said that while the
word "whe was retained in the BILL he could
see no morality in making the distinction con-
tanned in the provi'o which il was now proposed 20
strike out. He would as soon that Utah should
come into the Union as that slave State should
be admitted There was not so great a concen-
lration ofe evil in the first case.
Mr.. SMITH, OF Virginia, said il surprised him
TO hear gentleman who was never III a slave
State rising 10 discourse, cathedral on the char
acter OF southern institutions. The gentleman
from Rhode Island had spoken as though CON-
mon, indscriminute Intercourse existed in the
south. He would have that member know that
the lie of marriage is in many respects, and 10 as
great an extent, as sacredy observed among the
negroes of the south as among the people Of the
State which the gentleman in part represents
He did not hesitate 10 say that the crime of incon-
tinence rare in any southern State as in
the great State of Rhode Island
Mr. COBB said he was opposed 10 encouraging
this description of individuals, polygamisls. He
wished 10 ask the delegate from Utah a question
so that, if he had formed an incorrect opinion he
might do justice 10 those citizens, provided the
reply should be satisfactory. Did the gentleman
think that the proviso would be any considerable
hardship? IL the gentleman should reply afir-
atively he (Mr. CoBR) might be induced to change
his views. He believed, however, that il was a
wholesome provision
Mr.. BERNHISEL. In answer 10 the question,
| say considerable number of the inhabitants
would be affected The more wives a man has The
more lands he needs TO support them. Laughter
Mr.. GlDDINGS said that, from the commence
ment Of The discussion ofihe Nebraska question 10
his day not q southern man had spoken but 10
condemn and repudiate all attempts 10 interfere