The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-01-23


Mr.. FAULKNER. The governor Of Territory like
that of State the undoubied authority TO call Out
the militia in all where he Is empowered 70 do 30 py
the laws of that Territory State but in such cases IL
only done by the authority and the OF that State
Territory The constitution and laws oil Congress gave
the President alone to those to whom ne may dele
gate the power the right TO call out the militia at the ex
pense of the federal government: but why is II deemed
necessary to make this touching appeal ON behalf OF the
volunteer force of Oregon Have we passed Judgment
upon their claims Have repudiated their right to
compensation This placing the Committee on Military
Affairs in false position have been seeking, since
obtained the floor to present the true view which has
governed the committee in declining TO act upon the bill
the time, and awaiting further information from the
War Department bat have been prevented from reaching
the only point that designed to presently the Interrupt
tons OF gentlemen.
The gentleman from New York, Mr.. WmrsEY, msap-
pretending the views Of the committee, compimeAted
them upon the result at which they had arrived II that
gentleman supposes that in asking to be discharged from
the further consideration of the bill at this time we were
moved to that result by any of the facts statements or
sentiments which he has expressed he has altogether mis-
conceived the object and purpose of the committee We
designed to express opinion adverse TO the justice oil
these claims We did not mean to prejudice them In the
slightest degree by action appreht nd there Is as
favorable sentiment up' the part OF that committee to
the allowance to the people of Oregon and Washington OF
every just and proper claim against the as the
delegates from those Territories could themselves desire
We did not wish to act upon the case premature ana De-
fore had all the authenticated facts before as upon
which we could make an intelligent recommendation 70
this House. And this leads to present the views
which did govern the committee In their action upon TINS
bill
AS before remarked sir there were during last
sion the conflicting statements as to the state OF al
fairs in Oregon 1t known that Indian disturbances
existed there Of very formidable character and that
very large volunteer had been summoned to the field
the governor Of that Territory General Wool, who
in command the Pacific, in letter after letter ad-
TO the War Department asserted that this youn-
force called without his authority that there
necessity for the call that its action njuri-
that there great waste and extravaganza In its
supplies estimating its probable cost at three and even
81 I,1lo .An oin in
charges upon the people OF Oregon which need not re-
peat controversy Of embtered character sprung up
between the governor and people of Oregon and General
Wool and grave charges of msmanagement were made by
both sides opinion upon any OF these Ponts
it the design of Congress to do so at its last SEES
but an application being then before us TO make an
appropriation pay this volunteer force the subject was
then disposed of by the following section Incorporated into
/ the general appropriation bill:
csc; H. And be further enacted That the Secretary
of War be directed to inquire into the amount OF
neocssar incurred in the suppression indian heshtes
the late Indian war rnd @ Ss es
Of the volunteer forces engaged in ;sa war; including hs
and hai ne m n to ms to
and to him all expenses incurred Tor the purposes
above specified"
It will be perceived that Congress, by this enactment
devoved upon the Secretary of War examination into
the condition Of affairs in Oregon and Washington. TIT
gentleman from Oregon seems 10 think that the sole out
conded to the Secretary of War simply to ascertain
the amount due to the volunteers. think the law wa
designed to embrace wider scope of inquiry. 1t was
ascertain the necessity Of calling out such large yountee
force The used by the law expenses necessn
ry contracted by the territorial gov
under such public and pressing emergency tina
If the facts could have been known the Secretary
War, he would have felt himself justified in having in
CURED the expenditures their behalf The who'll
question of the proprey Of the call for volunteers AMI
Of the numbers called into service left open to the ex
animation and opinion of the Secretary of War;
9 Mr.. LANE. Iwant to say to the gentleman from Viz
gna that the clause which he has just read worded pre-
csely the law which the gentleman had passed to
expenses of the Roguerver war; only that 1t provided
that the Secretary of War should adjust allow and pa
expenses necessarily incurred in prosecuting that
We only ask pay for necessarily incurred Thi
board of commissioners will not pass nythng which ha
necessarily been incurred, and is just right AM
proper.
4 Mr. FAULKNER The gentleman from Oregon assume
that the call for the volunteers proper and that tn
only inquiry now is as to the reasonabeness OF the pay
be allowed for their service He may be right but think
and the committee think that wider scope of inquiry
left to the Secretary OF War.
Now, sir, the Secretary of War; availng himself Of tn
aid allowed him by the law which have just read, ha
sent commission Oregon and Washington composed
learn from the delegate from Oregon, OF two army OH
and cviianto make report 10 him OF the fact
upon which to form his own opinion. That commission
engaged in The execution OF this duty 1t has ye
. made report We do not know when it will make
report The Secretary of War has made no response
the duty devolved upon him by Congress- for the siHpl
reason that the commission has yet made no report
him. 1t is under these circumstances that bill laid be
fore us asking appropriation to pay the sums that ma
reported by that board and sanctioned by the Secrear
n of War
a We declined sir to recommend any appropriation q
this time We thought it due to his House, as it had re
fused to make appropriation at the last session. and In
stead Of such appropriation then asked for had ordered
examination be made by the Secretary of War into hi
whole subject that we should await the result of that in
quiry before recommended further action. The respec
due to this body demanded that the part of tn
committee We thought it also due to the country, II w
recommended appropriation, that should have a
least estimate Of the amount that would be thus vOte
awaywhstier it is four millions of dollars But
sir, without any data upon which we coult
IN tha mi
under that bill. The gentleman from Arkansas MI
GREEswooD] has requested make objection to tn
reference of this bill to the Committee Of the Whole HI
thinks the reference would be harmless. would say
him that understand there is bill at this time in Com
mittee of the Whole which will bring up for discussion
i there the very matters involved in this BILL
II Mr.. LANE. Let them both go there together,
81 Mr.. FAULKNER That is the House may determine
rose Mr. Speaker solely for the purpose Of vndicatn
Tending it against the impressions thrown out in debate
that had decided against the claims of the voluntee
force in Oregon deficient in proper sympathy 70
the people of that distant Territory. When the Secretar,
of War SHALL in pursuance Of the law OF the last session
Congress- make his report to Congress- feel safe in assn
ring him that the Committee Military Affairs will Civ
his constituents favorable consideration of the
ni az the facts will warrant
FL move the previous question
The previous question seconded and the main ques
0 ton ordered to be put.
II The SPEAKER The question s first upon the propo
siton amend the motion to discharge the committee
by adding that it be referred to the Committee of tn
" Whole on the state of the Union.
81 Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee ask for separate vot
il upon the two motions
81 The SPEAKER The first question is upon the motion
Ca al Na.s,r oac ,au Al