Washington sentinel., 1854-05-05

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of the President on the homestead, would be una
vailing, as there was no hope that it could be
passed in that interval
Mr.. CLAYTON said the usual course had here
tofore been 10 consider the bill Immediately upon
its return, and 10 dispose of without unnecessa-
ry delay. He thought that the best course 10
adopt, and the most respectful one 10 the Pres
dent
MIR. DODGE, of Iowa. said that he was in favor
of consideration of this bill al this time He de-
sired TO return his thanks TO the President for his
veto message. He believed that il was right in
every word, sentence, and particular. He believed
that had the President done otherwise, he would
have been false 10 his principles, TO his party and
10 the solemn resolves of the convention which
nominated him for the Presidency That party
had for years been committed in the strongest
terms against distribution of the proceeds of the
public lands among the States In any shape or
form. This bill did nothing less than distribute
the proceeds of the public lands in the very worst
form, in the shape of land scrip which, like the
French assignats, would food the countryfrom one
end to the other.
The senator from Vermont, yesterday, had spo-
ken OF uncean legislation and corrupt mannuvring
TO obtain grants of land for railroad purposes. IL
that senator knew of any such legislation, he
called upon him to rise now in his place and ex-
pose that corruption in all its length and breadth
and 10 the fullest extent.
Mr.. FOOT said that he had made no such re-
marks as had been attributed to HIM When his
speech was published, il would be seen that what
he had said had been entirely misapprehended.
Mr.. DODGE said he was glad to hear the state
ment He had not been alone in his misappre-
hension of the senator's remarks. The senator
from Ohio, who, despite OF his peculiar notions on
slavery, had some excellent ideas Of Stale rights.
Ilaughter,l had two years ago defeated this bill,
which in the shape il then had, provided that New
York might own and hold an extent OF territory
in Iowa, or some other of the land States, equal
| TO the area of the large counties. The bill now
did not allow one State 10 hold land in another,
but provided for species OF scrip, paper circu
/ lating medium, which the government was 10
distribute among the sovereign States. The bill
| would lead TO speculations and frauds unheard OF
in the history of the public lands of the United
| States. The bill was wrong, because it attempted
te give control and authority TO Congress over the
| sovereign States as 10 how they should dispose
of this scrip, and 10 how they should account
| for it, The States had already refused TO obey
one act of Congress, which assumed 10 dictate TO
| them how and in what manner they should elect
their representatives. The States would resist
would refuse TO obey, any authority by Congress
such as was assumed by this bill.
Mr.. SHIELDS said that his motion 10 postpone
was dictated by no want OF respect for the Pres
dent, No man in Congress has higher respect
personally and politically than he had He thought
the veto power good one, and he was glad OF it
| in this instance, because it would have the effect
of bringing Congress 10 the necessity of maturing
some fixed policy with regard TO the public lands.
Of the bill Till Monday next and no longer. He
believed the power of Congress 10 dispose of the
public lands the mere soil, 10 be illimitabe. But
! he regarded this bill as unconstitutional on two
/ grounds because il assumes TO Congress the
| powers TO direct the States in what manner they
Shall administer and expend the proceeds OF the
| lands granted TO them; and also because il re-
auires the States to account for the funds to the
/ general government as 10 their master 1t also
! ought 10 be vetoed because il makes the general
government the almoner 10 the States Of the
/ Union.
i Mr.. WELLER urged the cons liberation OF the
subject AT this time. He saw necessity for
any postponement Of il. II was ascertained
| and known that The bill could not obtain a vote
of two-lhrds of the Senate, and therefore could
not pass. Why postpone the consideration Of
bill which il is known cannot be passed! He was
informed by friend, who was pretty accurate in
| figures, that in full Senate there would be
thirty-one votes against the bill.
! Mr. GWIN withdrew his motion TO postpone
and pressed the present consde ration Of the bill.
! Mr. MALLORY moved 10 postpone the bill till
| Monday, and urged its consideration without un-
necessary delay.
The motion to postpone till Monday was agreed
to-yeas 30, nays 20.
PACIFIC RAILROAD.
| Mr. CaWIN moved that the Senate proceed 10
| the consideration of the Pacific railroad bill.
I.ost-yeas 20, nays %
INDIAN APPROPRIATION BILL
/ bill making appropriations for the service of the
| Indian department for the year ending June 80,
1 1855; and, after some debate on an amendment, it
was postponed.
The Senate then proceeded to the consideration
of executive business, and shortly after adjourned