Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-05-25
TH1RrY.F1frH coNGREss-FIr,. Session
THURSDAY. MAY 20, 1858.
SEN ATE


The morning hour was occupied chiefly in the pre-
sentaon of petitions and other private memorials.
Various private claims were considered till one
o'clock. when Mr.. johnson Of Tennessee addressed
the Senate in favor of his homestead bill.
Mr.. johnson, iu enforcing the advantages of the
bil commenced by defending it from the imputstion
OF being preiudical to Southern interests 1t was not
an adjunct Of the Emigrant Aid Socisty, but great
measure of benefcent Legislation for the good of the
American people, without regard to sections, Nor
did it propose to squander the public lands, az had
been charged but TO give them to actual settlers in
consideration Of services rendered TO the community
in reclaiming the wilderness and subdupg the earth
The policy was not new or unsupported. Moses bad
enunciated it's principles in bis Hebrew economy ;
Vattel had sanctioned 1t in his Commentaries on pub.
lie law and President Jackson had advocated il n his
messages to Congress. 1t was charged with being a
dsmsRogical proposition. II 30, then the Congress
of l7Sl in giving lands to certain settlers and Wash.
Dgton in signing the bill passed At that date, had early
begun to practice the demagogue's arts.
Running through he legislation of the country,
MIR. johnson found more than forty preoedsns TO ius
tfy the fundamental principles of the pending bill
Such disposition OF ne public domain would in re-.
ality enhance the veS OF the unoccuped portions,
and hasten its eaPaGny Tor su'sinins and nurturing
great and powerful " M psSg!s. No, would il diminish
bettering the condition of the lsbOr and thus ena
bling him to consume greater amount OF foreign i'm
portstions, it would add largely to a,nua revenue
from imposts.
But the financial results Of the measure did not
afford the most favorable light in whicn it could be
viewed. 1t also tended to raise man sochlly and
potcally-socislly by meliorsting his Material
condition, and politically by giving him st,ke In
the welfare and stability Of the country. II, de.
sired to build up the great middle class Of the
people, and to do away at once with an aristocrey
on the one hand or rabbe the other. Tls
public lands had been lsvished on States and Cor
porstions He thought il was now high time to place
them within the reach of all the people. At the
present rate of dispensing them it would require
more than six hundred years to fill up and occupy
our public domain. II il be said that this measure,
by offering boon to emigration, would tend to de
populate the Southern Ststee, it was only the sup
position that the ab0rer could better his condition by
change Of location; and who would object to a
policy which promised this beneficial result to the
individual mani Wherever found, the lsborer would
still be a loyal citizen Of the same Republic.
Mr.. j. closed his remarks by invoking for the
pending measure the favorable consideration Of the
Senate
After an executive session the Senate adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Mr.. Haskin asked leave to offer resolution author.
zing the Willets Point committee to proceed to New
York for the purpose of examining Witnesses.
Mr.. Burnett objected, being opposed to rowing com.
missions.
Mr.. Fsnton asked but failed to obtain leave 10 SUBJ
NIT resolution directing the committee Of WAYS and
means to inquire into the eIpediency Of authorizing
q loan of $l0,OO0,U00 to pay various claimants the
to which they are legally entitled. particularly
the officers and soldiers of the revolution, and the
Of pensions due to invalid pensioners of the
of 1872 and also to inquire whether modification Of
the tariff is necessary.
The House passed. the civil appropriation bill, after
striking out by vote Of yeas ia. nays S4 the sp.
preparation OF 900 for the capitol extension and
by four majority, an appropriation OF near
ly equal amount for the completion of the Washing
ton aqueduct.
Mr. Harris of Illinois, from the committee of cleo
.ions, made report accompanied by resolution that
Msssrs. Phelps and Kavanagh be admitted and sworn
as members from Minnesota provided such admission
and qualification sha not be construed an precuding
any contest of their rights that may hereafter be nsti
tuted by any person having the right to do so.
Messrs. Gimer and Wsshburn, Of Maine, severally
presented their views from the minority Of the COM
mittee.
Mr.. Stevenson moved the previous question, which
was not seconded-yeas 81, nays l02.
Subsequently this vote was reconsdered.
The Democrats wished to have immediate action on
the subject, but opposition resisted it ard resorted to
debatory motions.
The contest continued for two hours, and was end
ed by an adjournment.