The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-21
House Of Representatives.

w
Among other bills introduced was by Mr.. Soorr,
adm of Cal providing for the better security Of Life
and property board vessels navigating the ocean pro-
PEELED in whole part by steam. stated the bill had
for it, basis the memorial of the underwriters Of New
York. Referred to the Committee on Commerce.
GRANTS RAILROADS
Mr.. MCKBBIN, (adm Of Cal, introduced a bill grant
ing alternate sections Of land to California for railroads Of
that state.
FRENCH spouAnoNs
Mr. DAVIS, opp OF Mass, introduced the French spo
TIE NEBRASKA CONTESTED sKAr
The SPEAKER laid before the House the resolves Of the
Nebraska Legislative Assembly, stating that very large
majority legal Of the Territory who voted for
Mr. Ferguson, whose seat delegate contested by
Mr. Chapman, and repeng certain aspersions that had
been cast on Mr.. Ferguson's character.
IIx srxcAL DISTRIBUTING srous
The following compose the committee 10 which Is re-
erred the bill divide the clerks and messengers of the
departments at Washington among the States and Terri
Messrs. Robert smith, Seward, Kelsey, Pendeton, Gil
man, Clemens and Anderson.
DISCUSSION PACIFIC RAILROAD SCHEMES.
The House went into Committee Of tho Whole on the
Presidents annual message.
debate took place on the proposition to refer so much
of the relates to the Pacific Railroad 70 select
committee, during which
Mr.. MAYNARD, opp Of Tenn, said such road
commended in the Cincinnati platform, and in the nsu-
gural and annual message OF the President IL was
much part Of the programme OF the iminstraon the
acquisition of Cuba ard the protectorae Of Central America
Mr.. CROSSWORD (adm.) Of Ark-such road would be
constitutional and proper Congress had talked enough
about the subject and ought now to act, He had pre-
ference for route but preferred TO for almost
other rather than have none nj NIL.
Mr.. BsSsrT, (opp) ofN Y, offered substitute propo
sing refer the subject committee of thirteen dosgna
ting the number espectvely ~ be appointed rsm SOC
ton OF the Union according federal representation he
remarked that such a committee would be likely 70
favor the executive certain leading gentlemen plan,
but would make a fair report. He did not believe q
southern route practicable. New York interested
H. tkn l.n. f0prf he af
the business Nth California is at the north Of Virginia
Mr. LyTcIuR (adm) Of Va, said that as there seemed
should go 10 the Committee Roads and Canals, the
Chairman having nothing else 10 unless the House
gave him ,his daughter e,..,-
man, Is q bachelor
Mr. Irroum observed that, FAR as he concerned,
he opposed to a Pacific railroad, whether recon
mended by the President or by anybody else
Mr. HARRs, (adm Of ILL.,. said that he had an obJec
ton "a the source (meaning Mr. Bennett Of New York;
whence this proposition 10 divide the Union into
patchwork. He supposed the gentleman from Virginia
r Letcher) would not be read out Of the party for op
he aspiran, for the Presidency II he
the Washington linton and other papers would be at
tackrg him.
Mr. wssHBtRSE. (cpp) o. Ill, was for a Pacific rail
road earnestly, sincerely aud in good faith He did not
from wha side the proposition came, nor TO whom
the credit would be attributed.
Mr. HsRns-will you vote for the Southern reuter-
Mr. ssBrRsE-rhst will depend upon circumstanccsi
but far as concerned will vote for no route un
Pacific but instead Of the route being left 10 the contrac
tors Il vas selected by the administration.
Mr. Pun (adm.) OF No. earnestly appealed TO gentle
men 10 cease talking, and vote.
Mr. FtopyScp adm Of Pa, advocated the sending OF
the subiect 10 the Committee Roads and Canals. Be-
cause the chairman did believe in the constitutional
power TO construct railroads. did not follow n
quence that majority Of the members OF that committee
believed with him.
Mr. Mrtrsox (adm Of Va confessed 10 so much blunt
ness OF intellect 10 IN what part Of the copsttu
ton such power IL conferred. He warAed select COM
mttee to report the fact for general Information
Mr. SEWARD. (adm 81 Ga, thought the subject ought
be referred the Commtiee Revsal and Unfinished
Business had been here since he had been IN
Congress- Gentle men seemed 10 differ therefore the subject
ought 70 be reviewed and revised He knew OF no better
reference
Mr. DAVIS (opp) OF Md, for Mr.. Wilson's Information,
said the power 10 the road found IN the
sttuon under several clauses and quoted Jefferson, Ma
olson and John Quincy Adams signing bills for Internal
improvements.
Sr LETTER. (opp) Of Ohio said this subject should be
considered not only 10 ts prsccaby but its consti
tutonaity The constitution granted power 10 build
railroad II democratic doctrine prevails there n an end
to the matter He copgr stused the democracy that the
President has recommended policy which the party has
earnestly resisted for the last twenty I've years.
The Committee OF the Whole, after rejecting all the
pending resolutions adopted one that 40 much OF the
Presidents message relates 10 the Pschc Railroad be
referred 10 select committee Of hfteen with power 10
report by bill or otherwise
The Committee when the resolution heretofore
sdered referring the various branches Of the 10
relative to the Pacific Railroad by 1856 sgaina CO.
The House then adiouvped