New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-01-21
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

Among other bills introduced was one by Mr.SCOTr,
providing for the better security board vessels
navigating the ocean, propelled in whole in part by
steam. He stated that the bill had for its basis tho
memorial of the Underwriters of New York Referred
10 the Committee on Commerce.
Mr.. McKlBBEN introduced bill granting alter
nate sections Of land to California for railroads in that
MIR. DAVIS (Mass.) introduced the French spois-
tiOn bill.
The SPEAKER laid before the House the resolves
of the Nebraska Legislative Assembly stating that q
very large majority legal voters of the Territory
who voted for Mr.. Ferguson, whose seat as Delegate
was contested by Mr.. Chapman and repelling certain
aspersons that Esd been cast Mr. Fergusons char
acter.
The following compose the Committee TO which Il
referred the bill to divide the clerks and messengers
Of the Departments at Washington among the States
and Territories pro rata:
Messrs. Robert Smith, Seward. Kelsey Pendleton Gas
Clemens and Anderson.
The House went into Committee Of the Whole on
the Presidents Annual Message.
A debate took place on the proposition to refer Sd
much of the Message relates to the Pacific Railroad
to a Select Committee, during which
Mr.. MAYNARD said that such a road was recon-
mended in the Cincinnati Platform, and in the Lnnu-
gura and Annual Message of the President. II was
much part of the programme of the Administration
the acquisition of Cuba aud the protectOrate OF
Central America. Laughter
Mr.. GREENWOOD thought that such a road
would be constitutional and proper Congress had
talked enough about the subje {, and ought now to
act He had preference for route but preferred
to vote for almost any other, rather than have none
at all.
Mr.. BENNETT On " offered substitute, pre-
posing to refer the subject to Committee Of thir-
Teen, designating the number respectively to ha
ppointed from each section of the Union according
federal representation He remarked that sneh a
Committee would not be likely to favor the Executive
certain leading gentlemens plans but would make
fair report. He did not believe a Southern routs
practicable. New-York is more Interested IN the
road than the whole South and tree-fourhs Of tho
business with California is 20 the north of Virginia
Dir. LETCHER said that a. there seemed to be q
desire to nurse this banthng he preferred that it
should go TO the Committee Roads and Canak the
Chairman having nothing else to nurse unless the
House gave him this. lLaughter.l
lMr Jones Of ronne--ee (tbs Chsirmanls bschebrl
Mr.. LETCHRR observed that, 30 far "a he was
concerned, ne opposed to a Pacific Railroad,
whether recommended BY the Presiden, og by any.
body else.
Dir. HARRIS Of Illinois said that he had an objec-
ton to the msaning Mn Bennett VI New York;
whence this p-0positiOn TO divide tho Union into
patchwork. He Supposed that tho gentleman from
Vrgnie Mr.. Letsher) would not be read out of tho
| patty Gr opposing the Presidents views upon this
subject. because be D0t asprant for the Pros-
| oency II he were The Washington Union and other
| payess would te attacking him.
| MI WASHBCRN (ln.l was for Pacific Railroad,
earnestly sincerely aud in good faith. He did not
from what side the proposition came or 70 whom,
| the credit would be attributed.
Mr.. HARRlS-Win you vote for the Southern
| route!
! Mr.. WASHBURN-Th will depend upon circun,-
stapces; but far as | am concerned will vote for
| 10 route unless il il fixed BY law. voted for the
wagon route to the Pacific, but instead Of the route
being left to the contractors, it was selected by the
| Administration.
MIR. PHELPS earnestly appealed to gentlsmen to
! cease talking and vote.