Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-03-04
House of Representatives.

| Mr.. UPHAM, from the select committee on the
affairs OF the Smithsonian Institution, made a re
| port, which was ordered TO be printed.
The House proceeded 10 act on the motion o.
Mr.. BAILEY, of Georgia, submitted on Friday night
10 suspend the rules for the purpose of taking uI
| the Senate bill making an appropriation for the
removal of distractions in the Savannah river
below the city of Savannah and approprialine
sl6l, 600 for that purpose.
No quorum voted-yeas 76, nays 50; when The
| roll was again called, with the result-yeas %
nays 40. There being the requisite maJority-two
| thirds-the bill was taken up; and, under the
operation OF the previous question, was passed
| yeas IS, nays SO.
A committee of conference was appointed on
the disagreeing amendments of the TWO Houses
| TO the Post Office appropriation bill.
The report OF the committee OF conference on
the disagreeing amendments 10 the Army appro-
priation bill was, after debate, rejected-yeas ca,
nays 90.
On motion by Mr.. PHELPS, the House insisted
on its amendments, and asked the Senate for an
other committee OF conference.
On motion by Mr.. CLARK, the rules were sus-
pended, and the House took up and passed IN
Senate bill making appropriations for deepening
The channel of ST. Clair Flats, and that of 81. Ma
rvs river, in Michigan.
Mr.. VALLEY moved a suspension Of the rules,
ing appropriations for the improvement Of harbors
in Massachusetts; but the motion did not prevail
yeas 81, nays &C; not two-thrds.
Mr.. SMITH, Of Virginia, moved suspension
OF the rules, for the purpose of taking up the bill
for the relief Of Thomas Ap Catesby Jones but
the motion was disagreed to-ayes 6J, nays 81.
A message was received from the President OF
the United States, informing the House that he
had approved Of certain bills, and had returned,
with his objections, the bull making appropria-
tons for the ocean mail steamer service for the
year ending June 30 1885,
His objections are confined 10 the Collins line
amendment, and he says the bill proposes 10 re.
peal so much Of the law Of Congress which author.
ICES a change Of the present arrangements for
ocean mail service when the Government may
deem expedient 10 avail itself OF Improvements in
the ART OF navigation. The privileges proposed to
be given to the contractors, are without cores;
pondng advantages 10 the Government and
that in effect, the increased compens ation is a
gratuity, when il is considered the same service
can be performed for the amount OF the original
contract To give such privileges 10 Collins 81
Co. would preclude competition and establish a
monopoly; and this would be incompatible with
the Constitution.
Mr.. HUNT Immediately rose after the reading
Of the message, and said, "Vcto follows veto in
rapid march,
There were cries OF "order!" "orderr' "Hear
himp Much confusion.
Mr.. HUNT said he was in order and that he
would feel unworthy of his place on this floor il
he did not give utterance TO the feelings of his
heart. Veto follows veto in the rapid march OF
tyranny over the Liberties Of the country This
abominable veto is the very height Of tyranny and
usurpalion, unknown 10 our ancestors, and with
out precedent in this free country. He desired
gentlemen to remember who they are, the Repre-
sentatives OF an independent people; Parliament
sent either TO express their minds, and perform a
grave CONSCIENTIOUS, and patriotic duty, and not
slaves, TO be the medium OF recording the will OF
the Executive, who is bent entirely on doing away
with the Legislation Of the country.
The times are melancholy when the President
dictates the laws to the people, and endeavors to
prevent the exercise OF individual judgment by
the members of this House. This is power
which was never conferred by the Constitution,
which goes to take away from the Constitution
the power Of legislation and which, IL permitted
and tolerated for instant will be the overthrow
OF the liberties Of this country. Franklin Pierce,
who, by accident, is now President, presumes to
dictate TO the free people Of the country what they
shall do TO make laws. Some gentlemen over