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


The House took up the bill authorizing the con-
struction Of a line Of telegraph from the Misss-
siPpi or Missouri river TO the Pacific ocean.
The question was stated on agreeing to the re-
port of the Committee Of thu 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 10 the consideration
Of the bill to establish the Office Of surveyor gen.
eral in the Territory Of Utah. and grant lands 10
actual settlers therein reported from the Commute
Of the Whole on the state of the Union yesterday,
with recommendation 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 en-
acting clause of the bill--yeas 100, nays a.
Mr. PHELPS moved reconsideration Of the
vote, with view that he might offer an amend
ment striking out the sections referring to grants
Of lands, reservng those 10 establish the Office of
surveyor general in the Territory of Utah !;
although he was willing to donate the lands. Ii
the House shall not give the people of that Terri
tory lands, they should have opportunity, at
least, to purchase them.
Mr.. BENSON inquired whether the friends Of
the bill approved OF the course suggested by Mr..
PHELPS. When the bill was under discussion
yesterday, il was announced by the delegate from
Utah that he preferred the loss of the whole bill
rather than lose the donation principle.
Mr. PHELPS replied he had had no conference
with the delegate from Utah.
Mr. BERNHISEL Qhe delegate from that Ter
ritory) expressed the hope that the motion Of Mr.
PHELPS would not prevail. The people of Utah
only asked 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 sug
gested by Mr.. PHELPS
Mr.. HAVEN remarked that the majority had
refused &c pass the bill because of the existence Of
domestic institution in that Territory, which
recognises poygamy. He was prepared, and
thought the House ought to meet the question
move an additional section, declaring that all laws
in existence in Utah, allowing any man there TO
have more than one wife al lime, be disapproved,
and declared null and void.
Mr. McMULLIN explained the reason for the
vote which he had given. He was willing 10 give
the people Of Utah all that they were entitled TO-
in consideration Of their patriotic services in
marching to the defense 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 they9 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 negalve-ayes 10, noes rs.
The House reconsidered the vote by which the
enacting clause of the bill was stricken out.
M xval ,ksssss f~r I'll he. 40
establish the Office Of surveyor general in Utah,
and donating lands for schools and university pur
poses oRitiing the provisions in relation to grants
OF land TO settlers)
Under the operation of the previous question,
the substitute was agreed to-yeas 1877, nays SO.
The question having been stated on the passage
off the bill, as thus amended,
Mr.. McMULLIN moved that il be laid on the
table; which motion did not prevail-yeas "a,
nays lie.
The bill was passed.
Mr. HOUSTON rose for the purpose of moving
that the House resolve itself into a Committee
of the Whole on the state of the Union. with a
view OF proceeding to the consideration Of the bill
TO reduce and modify the tariff.
Mr.. APPLETON appealed to the gentleman TO
postpone his melton, in order TO give time for an
examination of the substitute reported yesterday
by Mr.. HousroN printed copies Of which were
laid on the desks Of members only this morning.
After conversation between several mcmbers,
Mr.. HOUSTON withdrew his motion. Civ q
notice that he shall renew il next Wednesday, al
one o'clock
The House adjourned.