The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-02-08

"oPoo'nS VI the army Dill, ana the House, with
gut deciding on the passage of the subterra-
'ean telegraph bill.
Wednesday,, January 81, 1855.
SENATE.
The Senate read a second time the French
apoliation bill. Mr.. Bayard made long ex.
splananon In relation to certain correspondence
involving his fathers reputation, published in
the edition of Jefferson's works printed under
che auspices of Congress. He indicated the
fame of his father. Messrs. Pearce Cass, Ma
SON, and Hunter, spoke on the same subject.
eulogizing both Jefferson and Bayard, and the
subject was dropped. Several House bills were
received and referred-among them, the one
providing for. the organization of Oregon as a
State. The army bill was then taken up, and
the debate resumed, chiefly turning upon the
measures necessary for the repression of Indian
hostilities. AT a late hour, the Senate ad-
;ourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Mr.. Houston obtained leave to submit sub
atitute for the tariff bin previously reported.
The consideration Of the subterranean tele-
graph to the Pacific was resumed in Committee
of the Whole on the state of the Union. Mr..
Benton seemed to regard the project as a
scheme for plundering the public lands. To
bring the bill before the House, Mr.. Richardson
moved to strike out its enacting clause. A
great many Territorial bills were then consid-
cred, and laid over to be reported; the Com
mittee rose, and the House adjourned.
Thursday, February l, 1855.
SENATE.
The Senate refused to take up the French
spotiation bill, and resumed the consideration
OF the army bill, the amendment pending being
that of Mr.. Shields, to amend the amendment
of MIR. Hunter, providing that there should be
two regiments of cavalry, and authorizing the
President to accept the services of five hundred
mounted volunteers by striking out all after
the enacting clause, and inserting, that there
shall be added to the army two regiments of in
fantry and two of cavalry" &c. Adopted, 81
to 20. An amendment offered by Mr.. Brown,
authorizing the President to accept in an emer-
gency the services of three thousand volunteers.
was lost-yeas l3, nays 33. The bill, as amend
ed, was then ordered to be engrossed, and final
ly passed.
The Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The House took up the bill authorizing the
construction of a line of telegraph from the
Mississippi or Missouri river to the Pacific
ocean.
The question was stated on agreeing to the
report of the Committee of the Whole on the
state of the Union, to strike out the enacting
clause; but this the House refused to do.
Mr.. Richardson then offered a substitute for
the bill, striking out the proposed grant of two
million of acres of land to the projectors of the
telegraph line, but reserving the right of way,
and extending the laws of the United States
over the line for its protection.
The bill, in this form, was passed.
The House next proceeded to the considera-
ton of the bill to establish the Office of surveyor
general in the Territory of Utah, and grant
lands to the actual settlers therein, reported
from the Committee of the Whole on the state
of the Union, yesterday, with the recommends
ton that the enacting clause be stricken out
Mr.. Jones, of Tennessee, expressed the hope
that the House would non-concur in the report
and mete out the same justice to Utah as they
had to the other Territories, and allow the lands
to be SURVEYED in that Territory.
he demanded the previous question; under
the operation of which, the House struck out
the enacting clause of the bill-yeas 100, nays
"a.
Mr.. Phelps moved the reconsideration of the
vote, with view that he might offer an amend
ment striking out the sections referring to
grants Of lands, reserving those to establish the
office of surveyor general in the Territory OF
| Utah, although he was willing to donate the
lands. If the House shall not give the people
of that Territory lands, they should have an OPP
j portunity at least, to purchase them.
Mr.. Bernhisel (the Delegate from that Terri
tory) expressed the hope that the motion of Mr.
, Phelps would not prevail. The people of Utah
only ask to be placed on an equal footing with
the people of the other Territories.
; Mr.. Disney said that public considerations
. should prompt the establishment of the Office
of surveyor general, and to pursue the course
suggested by Mr.. Phelps.
Mr.. Haven remarked that the majority had
refused to pass the bill because of the existence
of domestic institution in that Territory, which
recognises polygamy. He was prepared, and
| thought the House ought to meet the question
now. He should, if an opportunity be afforded,
move an additional section, declaring that all
laws in existence in Utah, allowing any man
there to have more than one wife at time, be
disapproved, and declared null and void.
Mr.. McMullen explained the reason for the
| vote which he had given. He was willing to
! give the people of Utah all that they were en-
titled to, in consideration of their patriotic SER
vices in marching to the defence of the country,
and no more. The Delegate from Utah informed
him that the people of New Mexico have the
donation land principle. But what else had
| theya A code of morals which ought to be
enacted in Utah. Not until they do so, should
they have his vote for grants of land.
| Mr.. Orr moved that the motion to reconsider
be laid on the table. The question was decided
in the negative-yeas 20, nays 76.
| The House reconsidered the vote by which
the enacting clause of the bill was stricken
| cut.
Mr.. Disney moved substitute for the bill, to
establish the Office of surveyor general in Utah,
and donating lands for school and university
purposes, (omitting the provisions in relation
! to grants of land to settlers.
Under the operation of the previous question,
| the substitute was agreed to-yeas y, nays 81
+ The question having been stated on the pas
sage of the bill, as thus amended
Mr.. McMullen moved that it be laid on the
table; which motion did not prevail-yeas 3D.
nays lie.
The bill was then passed, and the House adj
journed.
4 l. 81