Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-02-01
House Of Representstir


ing and declaring null and void by Congress, the
acts of the Legislature Of Minnesota, incorpora-
ting the Minnesota and Western Railroad Com.
pany; the act Incorporating the Louisiana and
Minnesota Railroad Company; the act incorpo-
rating the St. Pauls and st. Anthony Railroad
Company; the act Incorporating the Mississippi
and Lake Superior Railroad Company, and tho
act Incorporating the Lake Superior, Puget's
Sound, and South Pacific Railroad Company
severally approved in March, 1853.
Il was, after explanation by Mr.. RICE and Mr..
CUTTING, referred to the Committee on the Ju-
dietary.
The House resolved itself into the Committee
of the Whole on the state Of the Union, (MR.
PHELPS in the char,) and resumed the considera-
ton of the act authorizing the construction Of a
sppi or Missouri river to the Pacific ocean,
Mr.. RICHARDSON moved an amendment to
the bill, striking out the proposed grant Of two
millions of acres for the benefit of the projectors
Of the line, and reserving to them the right OF
way. He did this after consultation and confe-
renee with Mr.. FARLEY, who had charge of the
BILL
Mr. BENTON invoked the serious consideration
of the committee 10 the amendment. Yesterday
those telegraph men must have two millions OF
acres Of land; but this morning il was proposed,
by the gentleman from Illinois, merely 10 leave
them the right of way. II was something like the
snake story. At first, the man said he saw five
hundred snakes together. His word being doubted,
he came down, gardually, TO fifty snakes, and then
to twenty-five; this he maintained and would not
fall another snake. [Laughter.] The projectors
ofthe telegraph line now are content with the right
OF way, and will not fall another snake. He Mr..
BRNToN] asked whether this was not making sport
Of Congress? Were gentlemen always to permit
themselves 10 be treated in this manner7 He re-
peaied, the asking for two millions of acres and
then fall down to nothing, was sporting with
legislation. II was an Outrage; and, as such, he
denounced il. Il was brag-game-a game which
be never played.
MI RICHARDSON said he had spoken OF a
conference between the gentleman from Maine
Mr.. FARLEY and himself as TO the proposed
amendment to the bill. That gentleman had
charge OF the bill, and il was but due that he
should have consulted with him. The gentleman
from Missouri Mr.. BENToSl on that mere state
ment, put himself in the position Of the boy, who
said to his father, Hold me, I'll do something
terrible" "What will you do, my son." "Why,
III rush out and pull a board of the pig pen.'
[Laughter.l That is what the gentleman has
done. There was about as much foundation for
the excitement of the gentleman for the boy.
Was il discreditable in him, in the American Con-
gress, TO confer with gentleman who had charge
Of the bill, and TO ask his concurrence in an
amendment? IL SO, he was guilty. He could
turn with as much pride and pleasure on the past
| as the gentleman could. There would be found
rs little TO suly his escutcheon that ofthe gentle
man. He could compare records in anything
with him, and, in the comparison, ask no favors.
The gentleman INDUCED literally in denuncia-
| tons but, as there was something due 10 age, he
would forbear 10 characterize the remarks Of the
gentleman as he would do were il not for this
fact.
| Mr. BENTON begged to be excused from the
| comparison invited by the gentleman, and would
| accord to him everything be asked in the world.
He would ask the question, and pause for an an
swer, whether the persons interested in this bill,
| which kept the House in session yesterday TO IN
unusually late hour, did not this morning give up
the whole Of the two millions Of acres OF land
The gentleman from Maine, Mr.. FARLEY,l speak
ing for them, would not agree to this with
out their CONSENT for il was impossible TO alter
| the bargain without the consent of those inte-
rested. The appropriation of the land, urged by
| the gentleman from Illinois Mr.. RIcHARDsoN]
| yesterday, he moved to strike out to-day. AL.
though he Mr.. BKNToNl was advanced in years
he had the right to do what he could TO protec,
the treasury and the lands Of the United States
They are not Sebastopol; they cannot resist the
siege of the Allies.
Mr.. RICHARDSON moved 10 strike ont the enact
| ing clause, which motion was agreed to and the
bill laid aside, to be reported TO the House.
Upwards Of twelve bills for the benefit Of the
organized Territories were passed,
And the House, At half past four o'clock, ad
/ iourned.