Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-02-13
THE yRrScn spoLrArrox ELL.

Of the country the fact that here was bin about IN mas.
APProprating only 100000: IL would have passed
without being read that he had asked for its
reading TO see IL an omission had not been made it, Is
was about To pass withoutany degree OF opposition IL
was bill which, at the time of the incurng the debts
1t was to pay could not get committee OF either House
OF Congress to report it, But when The original
gone, and the fell into the hands of the stock
Jobbers and spectators who swarmed the obbies
passed without opposition. But when homestead bill
ch would benefit the hard working men OF the
oT bill granting land aid the States without any loss
to the Government came up, they met by opposition
in every shape.
Mr. Hamn said ,ba, at every Congress since the time
these claims first presented bill had been reported
in one House or the other.
Mr. Pratt said the difference between these bills and
the homestead was that this pay debts due
own citizens whilst ibe other premium offered to
foreign emg The claimants in his State were to
bis kaOwledge, the honorable persons stock
job efs Whenever il was possible to get in eth
er House the bill always passed.
Mr. Dodge said that, before God and man. he did not
believe the caims had any foundation in justice whatever
No bill had passed Congress from 1900 until 1896 when
was sooed One plan adopted get through this bill
TO send agents to State Legislatures ard by giving
sumptuous dinners and champagne suppers to get in
sructons from those Legislatures 10 Senators
for the bill. There Senators present who
instructed to vote for ,hs bill when they did believe
| 10 its justice,
Mr. Petit planned these claims and "a ID that he con-
sdered 1t solemn debt Of honor the part OF the GO
rernment to pay them lie Id sooner resign his sea,
| than repudate the debt.
| The bill was then postponed.
BILL.
| The Nebraska bill was then taken up
Truemau Smith, of Connecticut, said be seldom took
part debate He preferred discharge his duties with
a. little speaking possible. lie departed from this
in the present instance only because Of the mag
nitude Of the evils which would result to the country
the passage Of this bill lie had been in Congress leen
years and during that time had taken less part
than he in the agitation OF sectional questions which
were Introduced Into Congress, and disturbed the
onal counse and the peace and harmony Of the Repub
| hc
Hc bad never been northern man With Southern
principles, and he had any confidence Ia any
who was Unfortunately there had been thrust into this
bill slavery provision, and he thought Il ought to DO
excluded by unanimous vote Of the Senate. But be
would endeayor show the Senate that there OBJ
jecions this bill independent Of the question Of Afr
servude, which ought to override the bill He would
endeavor 10 show the Senate that II this bill put
down the slavery question would be settled.
There 6ve territories actually organized yet
the Senator from Illinois proposes to add two
Where tho necessity for this? Thee could be
reason except the negro sertude question There
nov lands belonging to government than could be
occupied for many years Nearly half OF all the
States yet public lands aud large portion OF what
sold in the hands Of spectators Minnesots had
yet but few nhaban yet she had extent Of terrific
ry large enough for several states. So with Washington
and Oregon. As TO Utah and New Mexico he would saJ
nothing, for he did believe that any man,
sensible respectable wolf would 20 either TO settle
there. laughter.
Mr. smith spoke at length on the subject generally.
II being now l2 o'clock, Mr. seward thought, as the
Senator had not got through the subject had better DO
postponed I'LL tomorrow.
Mr. Weller objected. AMER the dose the Senator had
bad he thought would be better TO talk as much pos
sible to-day go that there would be less tomorrow.
Mr. Smith said that after the very gentemsnly remark
Of tho Senator he would 60 OF this very character
stc remark Of the Senator In tho Senate OF the United
Sates lie would have nothing 90 say This the
cond time Senator had INDUCED In this sort Of conduct
towards him. but he would treat IL With silent contempt
Mr. Weller said he was not avsre there was anything
offensive IN his remarks The relations between hims
and the Senator well known; when he absent
In Ne leo in the Boundary Commh sion, the Senstor IN
speech had arragned HE private snd public character.
When he returned here Senator from Csofnis he bad
yipdicaed himself IN appropriate terms but the SENATOR
never bad the manness either to withdraw the charge 90
reply 10 hs defence,