Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-04
House or Representative.

House OF Representatives.
Mr.. LATHAM, from the Committee on Public
Lands reported back the bill extending, for one
year from the Sd OF March, 1855, the authority OF
the Board Of Commissioners in California TO adju.
dictate land claims in that State.
He earnestly pressed the immediate passage OF
the BILL The board, he said, has been in existence
Two years and a half The number Of cases
brought before II is eight hundred and thirteen. OF
these, three hundred and ninety-seven have been
acted upon, and two hundred and ninety-four con-
frmed. Four hundred and sixteen cases have yet
to be acted on, involving millions OF acres of land
and the titles TO cities and counties, including the
best lands Of the State.
The bill was passed.
Mr.. COBB, from the Committee on Public
Lands, 10 which the subject was referred yester.
day, reported bill, as substitute, amendatory
Of the act passed al The last session. reducing and
graduating the price of public lands TO actual set.
tiers and cultivators the object being 10 give TO it
the construction originally designed.
Mr.. JONES, Of Tennessee, suggested an amend
ment; which was opposed by
Mr.. COBB, who explained the provisions Of the
bill; and, in conclusion, moved the previous quss-
ton ; but the motion was not agreed TO.
Mr.. DAWSON submitted an amendment, which
the Chair ruled out Of order at present. as others
were pending.
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee, withdrew his
amendment, and substituted therefor that Of Mr..
DAWSON proposing 10 sell the public lands al four
teen and half cents an acre, after FIVE years
misunderstanding the quantity TO one hundred
and sixty acres.
Mr.. LETCHER raised a question that the
amendment was not in order, for the reasons
which he stated but
The SPEAKER overruled the point presented
by the gentleman.
The amendment having been read,
Mr.. DAWSON moved that the bill be recon
mitted TO the Committee on Public Lands
Mt. HOUSTON raised point that the amend.
nent was not germane TO the BILL
/ MI. LETCHER gave notice that il this amend
mend be voted down. he should offerthe bill intro
fuced in the Senate by Mr.. HUNTER
Pending the consideration OF the subject,
The House resolved itself into tho Committee
Of the Whole on the state Of the Union, tMr. ORR
In the char) and took up the bill for the relief OF
purchasers and locators Of sW amp and overlooked
lands.
Mr.. KEITT addressed the committee on the
subject Of the new order which has recently
sprung into existence--namely, the Know-no-
things. II is fusion--an amalgamaton Of all TENS.
Its deep philosophy is deep discomfort. What
ever Il does Ia wrong, and il would strike nj the
party in power, whatever the party was.
He said that "Know-nothngs" is name fifty
chosen. II they succeed, they will be mutes in
the funeral procession Of the republic. Evasion
is a principal feature Of the organization and a
condition Of entering into its councils. II cleaves
down the rights Of others with a rude hand
He spoke Of the organization as socialism, MS a
combination Of white slavery, TO operate against
the South, which he eoquently appealed to both
the Democrats and Wings ofthat section 10 resist
In conclusion, he said he had endeavored 10 show
the rise and progress Of this new party, the allacy
Of its principles, ana that It's organization is dan.
serous and deadly
MI cLINGMAN alluded to the resolution