Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-02-18

the foundations from the great weight ofthe super
structure.
The Senate considered the bill granting a credit
ofthrre years 10 railroad companies tor the pay
| ment Of duties on imported iron.
| II was debated until the Senate adjourned.
House Of Representatives.
| AT the request Of Mr.. MAY, the select com
| mttee, appointed during the last session. on the
memorial of the board of managers of the WASH
| ngton notional monument asking Tor aid towards
| the erection of that work, was continued.
| Several bills were reported, and appropriately
| referred.
The House resumed The consideration of the
bill making appropriations for the transportation
| OF the United States mail, by ocean steamers and
otherwise during the fiscal year ending June 30,
1856.
The question was stated on concurring in the
following amendment, reported from the Commit
tee Of the Whole on the state of the Union:
sFor the transportation Of the mails from New
York 10 Liverpool and back, SS5S000; and that
the provso contained in the FIRST section OF an act
entitled An act 10 supply deficiencies in the APP
preparations for The service of The fiscal year end
ing the Both OF June, 1852 approved the 2lst day
of July, 1852 be, and the same IS hereby repealed
Provided, That Edward X. Collins and his asso-
ciates shall proceed with all due diligence 10 build
another steamship, in accordance with The terms
of the contract, and have the same ready for mail
service in two years from and after the passage
of this act; and if said steamship is not ready
within the time above mentioned, by reason OF
any neglect or want of diligence on their part, then
the said Edward X. Collins and his associates shall
convey the United States mail between New YORK
and Liverpool, from the expiration Of the said two
years, every fortnight, free OF any charge 10 inc
Government, until the new steamship shall nave
commenced the said mail service"
The above amendment was concurred in--yeas
100, nays 50.
IAt this point, a message was received from The
President, returning, with his objections, The
French spoiation bill. Its consideration was post
poned until after the business pending should be
disposed OIL
making appropriations for the ocean mail service
for the present year, the bill for that purpose hav-
ing failed during the last session.
The bill was passed-years w, nays 81
The SPEAKER laid before the House mos
sspe from the President of the United States, re-
turning with his objections, the bill making salts
faction for French spoliations on American COM
meIce.
Il was read. The President first defines his
power under the Constitution IL he approve
bill passed by Congress- he must sign II, or II he
disapprove return il, with his objections, 10 the
House in which il originated for their further ac-
ton, where il may be repassed, not by numer-
cal majority but by vote of two thirds. The
Constitution does not compel him TO affx his sig.
nature TO any BILL unless il shall meet his appro
baton. He is not TO perform mere mechanical
part, but Conscientious and rightful duty in re-
gard 10 the proposed law
The President is responsible 10 the entire peo-
ple as a Senator is 10 his State, or Representa-
tive 10 his State or district They are not required
10 pursue a course OF legislation not IN obedience
TO the requirements OF duty.
As 10 the amount Of the claims, the circum-
| .tances in which they originated, The length OF
time they have occupied the attention OF congress
and the country, and his knowledge OF their bis.
rory the Pre- .dent could not fail TO form decided
| opinion on satisfactory grounds, But instead Of
| resting on former opinions, Il was necessary 10
| review the whole subject, and state his duty IN
| the premises
State. 10 satisfy these claims rests on the justice
| of,he country II this be So then the impuiation
on the public honor is aggravated, and there mas
been a persistent wrong during this entire period
| of time III the charge be well founded, II would
nscribe on our history instances OF deliberate IN
i ;ns,ce and The only course to pursue would be 10
i make the most prompt reparation In our power.
/ Ri, no such imputstion could be cast on the
men who participated in the action in which the
claims originated. Their justification consists ~
| the absence Of and Indebtedness on The par DIN
/ limited States; that they cast stain on our ma
,ional character has not yet been endorsed by the
i American people. But if SO, this bill would
stamp on the past an indelisble stigma. II pro.
noses, not 10 pay The claims, but 10 compound
Them. A law, 10 this effect, would be perpetual
bar 10 full justice.
| This il moi tbe way 10 repair wrong, II one
| ex;si. Nothing from Jefferson, Madison, and
| Monroe has been brought 20 light 10 strip thi'
| subject Of embarrassment; nothing OF THIS nature
| ha. occurred They never recognized the claims
i The hill does not stand on basis OF controlling
| authority but on n matter Of history. The pay
| menf Of these claims was never deemed, by ANY
President, worthy of recommendation TO Con
gress
,ory If The case abiding TO the treaty between
a.. ITnit.d States and France in IT'S, urging tina
| hoes claims were never assumed by this coun
try. - ,,, ;,,o,nssed yv;,J
the reasoning OF the veto message, thought u due
"a The President on the subject, that the House
should have an opportunity OF deliberately study
Inc that document. lie was friend OF the ad
minis,ra,ion but still greater friend OF the yei'
power. r. ~ ~
sage be postponed until Wednesday next, ant
that il be printed. !,
willing 10 give gentlemen an opportunity 70 ~
: heard was influenced by reasons OF public neces
s;,v nherc being but twelve Legislative days ~
mainioq of the present session. in moving thu
J prsvious question, with view OF acting on I'M
| message at this time.
Mr.. BAYLY said II was not hts purpose 70 as
more than one day Is consideration ofthe message
Mr. JONES was asked 10 Withdraw his motion
but he refused, saying he Intended u as ties
aues,ion. II gentlemen did not wish 10 sustain u
they could vote u down.
The question was taken on the motion OF M
, ZONES. and decided in the nsgatve--yeas ..
nays 80.