Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-02-22
CoNGREss-od SESSION
MONDAY, FEBHUARY l9, 1855.
SENATE.

SENATE
Mr.. Cass said h. should defer his review of Lord
Clarenduns speech till Tomorrow.
On motion Of Mr.. Gwin the bill for the construction
Of railroad from the Mississippi Valley TO the Pa.
citc coast WINS taken up.
Mr.. Clayton said communication between the
Eastern States and the Pacific wanted, bur he did
not believe either Of the roads embraced This bill
could be built. II built, the alternate sections OF
land go 70 the builders. and nothing would be left
maintain the road except the treasury of the United
States. He thought that the travel and freight would
not support the road. There WINS 10 way travel of
consequence and the whole thing, lar projected
is impractcabc.
Mr. Batter followed Mr.. Clayton, suggesting like
objections to the project. The scheme too great
and it was siep taken without sufficient know
ledge of the position into which it would precpi,atc
them.
Alr. Geycr said tho proposition must be considered
with n view 10 its pratcabity. The railroads now III
operation were 81 3O miles in length and there are i'll
the course of construction l6,975 miles more.
Now, if the cost OF the roads III the course of con-
structlon bc more than the cost per mile Of those which
are now in use there wopll be an addition of cxpend.
ture Of nearly $500 0N,0G0. On the roads non-con
sructed there is debt of S3OD0OO,UO0, and il is pro-
posed to bu.l these roads, which will add 1900 miles
more, s!d cost from three to four hundred millions o
dollars. The railroads now use annually some 3oU, 900
tons ot iron, Ot which $50 600 imported from
Europe, and 100000 tons are manufactured in tIis
country.
The roads now in construction will soon bring the
amount Consumed annually 10 l5n,OOn tons with
ont tho IonG projected in this bill md where he ask
ed was all this iron 10 come from! He also submit.
ted calculations nf the amazing extent 81" iani which
the jill would appropriated and gave otter statistical
facts 10 show that the proposition Srca; for
| practical purposes.
Mr. Pcarcc also opposed the bi and expressed hi,
surprise and as;onis!ment Mt the carnc.ncss with
which such vast pro oct pressed upon the Sen.
ute. Without information Us to the elevations to be
surmountcd, Of the supplies of wood and water, mad
of the surveys ut engineers, they yet usked IL
provide for an enormous under;ak which cOntem-
| plated three ruads when one alone uli be Il most
| formidable undertaking.
llescncrcd into Il minute cacula; II" diticul-
| ties TO be st.rmOuntcd, and argued e coast oi
| these roads would average greatly re than an!
road now constructed. He sad he Cvlid vote for
the scheme either ic whole or i'll part.
Mr. Mason also opposed tho bill arguing the i'm
practcgbiy OF the undertaking.
| Mr. Rusk replied to the objections Of Mr.. Pearcc,
and Mr. Gwn explained and Illustrated the project
for the purpose oi removing the various objections.
Mr. Seward favored the bill us il stood providing
for three roads. lie thought the objections came too
la,c for, by the action of the Senate preference had
been given TO the substitute providing Cor these line,
over the bill providing for only He believed The
United States would never be III n better financial
condition 10 complete tho work aud which hc thought
would be productive OF grent vantages sufficient tC
justify the undertaking.
Mcs-rs Chase, Evans and Bell continued the de
bate, wlI'a. ut Il late hour, the question taker
end the bln passcl. Yeas "A; nays Il.
The Sanate then into executive session. during
which DouSlns &. Coope!'s nomination 10 thu
Southern SupcrintcndeLcy Of Indian Gairs vice Tho
mus $. Drew, was sent IN. John Appleton wGs con
i.mcd Secretary OF the Legation at London, an(
Mr.. Cox o: Ohio, confirmed Secretary "f the Lc
Gat!cr at Peru. Mr.. Atkinson also confirmed
Third Auditor in the place o! Mr.. Burt. dccc'sse..
The Senate then adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The Speaker announced the first business TO be the
consideration at tho Presidents message, vctonS tn,
| French spoliaiion bill
Mr.. Bayly in consequence of mdsposition, desired
postponclncIt til! Thursday, wishing 10 speak ol
the cct.
Mr. Orr presumed if the House should now dspos
OF The message Mr.. Buyly woui not consider it die
courteous and urged tbs passing of public bills Il
reason for doing.
Mr.. Bayly said he wished to speak Of the charac
ter Of the veto power. thinking hc would b. able L
show this was not for thr application OF il.
Mr.. Breckenridge feared il discussion indulge
in ou tho message important appropriation bills wi!
be lost
Mr.. Oliver OF Missouri, would have no ohectio.
to the debate, il good could result Only twclv
working days were remaining. They should trhnsac
public business. Gentlemen who want to denounc
the exercise OF the veto power an u>upntion cot
select some other time
Mr.. Campbell Withdrew his motion 10 postpone Tia
consideration Of the message till the third of March
but said he would it if NJ. OrcS motion Il
cut oil debate with wow OF bringing the House Il
vote on the tiIley and unSubstanal arguments %
the messGgc.
Mr. Orr replied that Mr.. Campbell! should be the
Inst man to complain, considering h. wanted to post
pOne the message to day when il could not be de-
batrd. lie demanded the previous question. Iht
motion was seconded yeas ll2 nays -.
Several members said this waa the gag.
I The question then staed-shsll the French
Spoation ll pass. the Presidents objections TO the
contrary notwithstanding, and decided negative
ly-yens ll3, nays ST, not two-thirds in the ulirmn
tive us required by the Constitution.
The House went into committee on the civil ant! d
! ploin"tic appropriation bill
| Mr.. Sollers offered an amendment the vetoed
| French Spoliaon Bill
The Chairman. Mr.. IIikhhd, ruled it out Of or
| der.
Mr.. Solers appee:eu from the decision.
| Mr. Seymour said that though he voted for the
French Spoliaton Bill, he regarded the amendment
Git Of order.
Mr.. Kerr was as much in favor Of tho French spo-
laon claims any one, but would not vote Ia attach
such amendment to the Ien,!ing bill, because II
might force ho,Presdcnt TO ve" it and thus stop :he
| wht Ga OF government.
| Mr.. Tayl6r Of Ohio, sustained Mr. Sellers. saying
ii !.r in the majority here sooner than prescribe
the debate the veto message, as done to-day, he
would allow all the appropriation bills to fail and lie,
| the new Congress come together and act Oh then.-
| The claims were well established.
! Mr.. Sellers believed that tho House has right 10
protect its dignity and roopcctability. His honest
opinion that the President, in exercising the veto
power by caprice, has violated the spirit of the
| constitution.
Several rules were read 10 show the amendment
out OF order.
Mr.. Washburn &C Maine, contendcd il was relevant,
o. the claims provided for under treaty, which
| is the las Of the land.
| Mr.. Chandler took similar view, saying il was,
! too, the law Of God-thc higher lHw-'owe no mam
anything"
Mr. Orr replied that every claim recognized by the
treaty with France has been pnid.
| Mr.. Campbell regarded these claims n honest a.
giving members $S per day, which is provided for by
| the bill.
Mr.. Oliver Of Missouri, regarded the amendment
referring TO private claims, and asked where wa'
| the treaty or obligation to pay them
Mr.. W.-hburn OF Mninc referred him to the treaty
| of 1915, first and second articles
Mr.. Oliver called for the production of proof, and
reminded gentlemen that they were acting under hui
inan, not higher law.
After further debate the point of order, The
! charman's decision was sustaned--aycs lO3, noes
| not counted
| The committee then and the House adjourn
| ed.
From he kck-burp Wig