Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-19
House of Representatives..

Messrs. UPHAM, WHITE, TAYLOR, of Ten
nessee, WELLS, and PURYEAR, were an
nounced as the select committee authorized TO be
appointed yesterday in pursuance Of the resolu
ton adopted on the motion by Mr.. MEAcHAM, to
VIII oh was referred the letter of the Hon. Rufus
Choate, resigning his place as Regent Of the
Smithsonian Institution, with directions to inquire
and report TO the House whether the Smithson an
Institution has been managed, and its fund ex-
pended, in accordance with the law establishing
the Institution, and whether y additional less-
lation IS necessary 10 carry out the designs of its
founder, with power 10 send for persons and pa
pers
The SPEAKER laid before the House mes.
sage from the President OF the United States,
transmitting a communication from the Secretary
Of War in which il Is stated that renewal OF
Indian hosties may be expected, unless there
shall be raised sufficient force TO hold the sava.
ges in check. The President urgently calls for
action the part Of Congress.
On motion of Mr.. FAULKNER, the message
and accompanying papers were referred 10 the
Committee on Military Affairs
The House resolved itself into Committee OF
the Whole on the state of the Union, tMr. ORE
in the chair and resumed the consideration Of the
Pacific railroad bill ea
The question pending was an appeal taken
by Mr. PRIacLE. yesterday, from the decision OF
the Chair, who ruled that the motion OF Mr.
WHEELER, to strike out the enacting clause Of the
bl, was in order.
The question having been taken, the decision OF
the Chair was sustained-yeas So, nays 81.
The House refused TO strike out the enactmg
clause--yeas SO, noes not counted
Mr.. DAVIS, Of Indiana, offered an amendment
to construct grand central railroad to the Pa.
cfc, with two branches, 10 accommodate the
North and the South This would save one-half
Of the expenses which the bill involves.
The amendment was agreed to--yeas so, nays
So
Mr.. McDOUGALL moved 10 strike out the en-
acting clause OF the bill, and the motion was
agreed to--yeas ~, nays az. He did this with a
view Of offering a substitute for the bill.
The committee rose and, the action of the
committee having been reported to the House,
Mr. McDOUGALL expressed the hope that the
friends OF railroad communication with the Pacific
would concur with him in opposing the action OF
the commntee--strlking out the enacting clause--
40 that II may be reinstated, and form the subject
matter for further action by the House He made
few remarks, showing the necessity and impor-
lance OF constructing a railroad 10 the Pacific
coast.
Tbs SPEAKER, pro tempore, (Mr. Jones, oil
TcnIessecl in reply TO question by Mr.. WASH.
BURN. OF Maine, said that the original bill was now
before the House, and that il was not in order TO
submit any other proposition while this was
| pending.
Mr. BENTON (by permis sion ofMr McDoueALL
who held the floor caused TO be read a resolution
which he wished TO submit, referring the WI
subject r. a select committee ofthirtcon
! s-,h instructions TO report a plsr
I and telegrsphic line TO the Pse
/ ted by private means. 2
! Mr. McDOUGALr
/ hope that the repor
/ Whole on the stat