Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-03-10
CoTcREss.~~ies zE4sio.
WEosEsDAY, MARcH s, 1854.
SENATE.

SENAIE.
Mr. Piek presented two memorials in favor OF grant oil
land 10 aid in the construction OF ship canal around the
Fails of Niagara end moved its reference to the committee
on public lands.
that committee reported adversely similar petitions and
the committee discharged from the further considera
ton of the subject
Several bills granting lands States for rail road
were introduced and referred.
Mr. Shields from the conference committee the bill fol
The relief OF the officers and soldiers on the steamer Ssr
Francisco the time OF her wreck made report which
was agreed 10.
CLANCY of the army by providing for the retirement
duced pay of disabled officers. Agreed TO- and the bill
passed.
OF the INDECENT insane, was taken up.
MIR. Adams opposed The Dill.
Mr. Stuart suggested some verbal amendments which, oil
ter some objections, were made
Mn Dodge OF Iowa said he was opposed 10 the bill, bu,
would not DELAY s passage by making speech now. He
"TIe a S TTs a nu. nen passed by The following vote
YEAs-Messrs. Badger, Bell, Brown, Chase, CLAYTON,
Dawson. Dodge of Wisconsin, Everett tesseeIen, Fish,
Morton, Rusk Seward Shields Stuart Sumner Thompson
of Kentucky, Wade and Walker-25.
Massachusetts. Adams, Atchison, Butler Cass, Clay,
Dodge OF Iowa, Douglas FZpalrlcRi Mason Fetlt Well
Ter and Wiilams-R.
The Vermont contested seat was taken up.
Mr. Phelps addressed the Senate I'LL O'Clock in support
Of his right hold the seat The subject was postponed and
afte. an executive session the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
The Speaker laid before the House communication from
The Secretary Of the Treasury transmitting copy OF the
circular addressed by him persons 10 manufacturing and
commercial pursuits soliciting information as TO The best
mode of bringing the Tariff within revenue standard to-
gehe with numerous replies thereto Referred TO The com.
miltec ways and means.
The Honse went into committee OF the whole the bill
granting lands TO Minnesota for rail road purposes.
Mr.. Bayy of Virginia, replied the remarks made yes
erday by Mr. Campbell discussing the consi tuonality OF
granting swamp lands 10 the States in which they lie and
likewise the right of government 10 give bounty land 10 SOL
ders who have served in the various Ho expressed
his views in opposition 10 granting lands for internal I'M
provements.
Mr. Kerr did not agree with the views OF the gentleman
but believed Government has the power appropriate either
money lands for railroads other Improvements 10 de-
vclOpe the OF The country, or tor literary nsu
tons lie believed however that the trust involved has
been grossly violated. He opposed land benefits preferred
States and claimed that oil of them should equally parllci
pate In the division oil the llnds In conclusion he gave
notice amendment that The moneys received out OF
the reserved sections shall be paid TO the States which have
received lands for internal Improvements according 10
their representation in Congress
Mr. Simmons briefly advocated the BILL both on the grounds
Of consuliOnaly and cSpedlency.
Mr. Lane Of lndiuna to personal explanation Yes.
terday the gentleman from Illinois, (r. BsselD said he
suspected the time he Lane desired 10 give certain nfor
nation would be after the passage OF this bill: Now, his
friendship for the gentleman from Illinois was OF no ordna
ry character II cementcd by cncounteng the same
hariships and meeting the dangers he
could not be induced TO say any thing offensive 10 the gen.
eman but that ne must be permitted 10 say, without In
entertain much lees express suspicion of gen.
eman, and partcuarlpo OF q friend.
His object in refusing 10 give the name OF h!s Informant
which every gentleman appreciate namely,
Of courtesy him. He wished first 10 see bis INFORM
ant before giving his He had written note 10 him
10 this effect several days since -"you informed that
gentleman in this city, holding claim six thousand
Of land at Lake Superior terminus Of the proposed
road from Lake Superior TO ST. Paus had disposed Of one
fourth of the claim in this city Please state what
thory you made the communication to mo-" 10 this Capt
Tlton replied as foows:-" discover was mistaken in
regard the location of the claims for land II is situated
twenty miles from the terminus OF the proposed road Also
in regard the sale Of oneouh OF the claim other pu
chase made by gentleman In this city These
tircy prospective and contingent furure events the
lands vicinity Of the proposed terminus at Lake Su
perior are held by miners titles floats which will
be either confirmed annuled when the land surveys ex
tend over that region"
Mr. Lane gave his reasons why he was opposed 10 The
pending bill.
Mr. Bissel said TO whatever extent he wrong 10.
wards the gentleman from Indiana 10 that extent he was
willing make honorable amends not only on account oil
the pleasant recoccons OF the past but because he would
do right He thought The remarks Of the gentleman pro.
ducCd impression in the House adverse 10 the BILL and
therefore the inquiry for the OF the genllemans nor.
mant forgiveable.
Was il very unreasonable for him say that he suspect
cd the gentleman would prefer 10 give the Information after
tho bill had been defeated He repeated it, that did DOT
appear that he out Of tho way nevertheless if his re-
mark had offended tine gentleman. he was sorry for be
would Intentionally wound the feelings Of any but
II the excitement Of debate everybody know how 1t was In
However might claim credit TO himself as
remarks had brought out complete reutation OF the
charged
Mr.. replied he intended to ask his informant whet
e he might not give his name as the author-hence he
did respond when he was asked for his name
DR. Bisscl resumed. That is difference Of opln
lon as the mode OF doing business.
lie had thought as The gentleman made SO free with the
communication OF his friend and published II fact 10 in
lure this important BILL he ought have had objection 10
giving the of his informant He did not doubt the
lIcnan's intentions honorable, and had disposition
10 say more the subject
Mr. Lane the delegate from Oregon referred the his,o
~ of Indiana the subject OF internal improvements and
expressed the hope that his namesake would for this
bill.
Mr. Richardson thought lime enough had been wasted on
the bill, and appealed 10 the House 10 vote.
Nr. Cutting gave notice OF amendment proposing that
the government shalt retain the title to the lands proposed
TO be granted and ssuo patents therefor twenty miles OF
The road from time time shall be finished and Its CON-
eon tho t5 the lands shall bo vested in the tertory-
He explained the proposon
Further proceedings took place. when TWO amendments
were made striking out that the grant is made for IA
cii,atng portaon Of The mails men, munitions OF
and ohe! PURPOSES and the other combining the grant to
lands inside of the territory OF Minnesota.
Without proceeding any further, the committee rose and
the IIousc adjourned.