The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-05-30
PROCEEDINGS on THE TIIIRTY-SIITH CONGRESS

DEN Ale.
WASHINGTON, May 29.-Mr. BIGLER presented
the memorial of certain citizens of Philadelphia in
favor of change in the Tariff Referred to the
Committeeo on Finance.-Mr. JOHNSON from the
Committee on Public Lands, asked that he be dis
charge from the consideration of the hill IN cnde
to the States the public lands within their bounds
remaining unsold for five years.---SIr. JOHNSON
OF Arkansas, moved to take up the Homestead bill
Agreed tot was moved that the Senate dis
agree to the House amendment MIR WADE an
posed action at this time. He wanted to act when
the Senate was full.-After some desutorv con-
Versatlon, Mr. Johnson's motion to disagree was
carried. Yeas 30, nays 20; all the Democratic
Senators but Mr.. Rice voting afirmatively-
MING presented petition from the soldiers of the
war of 1872, for pensions.--Several bills and re-
solutions OF private nature were considered
On motion of Mr.. GWIN, the Senate proceeded 70
the consideration OF the bill to facilitate communi-
cation between the Atlantic and Pacific States bv
means of electric telegraph, which had been re-
turned from the House with sundry amendments
MIR. GRIMES moved tnat the Senate concur in
the House amendments, and some debate ensued
which was arrested by the arrival Of the hour for
proceeding to the consideration of the Post Office
Appropriation bill, which was the unfinished bus-
ness of yesterday.-Mr. HUNTER said he would
yield the floor to the Senator from Louisiana who
desired to address the Senate on a privileged oues.
tion.-The Houmas Land bill was then taken up
-Mr. SLlDELL then made some remarks in
reference to his own personal connection with the
HounaS land grant, in Louisiana. He said that in
the year 1888, he became purchaser of a certain
tract OF land there, paying One-seventh cash down
and the remainder in six annual instalments: the
cost OF the whole was something over $50, 600 He
alluded to the action of the Senate and House on the
conflicting claims to these lands, and stated that in
AL tins matter he had not had the slightest agency
direct or indirect In the course of his remarks he
alluded to Hon. Miles Taylor, and thought that
gentlemen had countenanced assaults upon him
Mr.. :. in presses with which he was known to
have close altlliation. Since the matter had been
before the Senate, he had scrupuouSv abstained
from conversation about it with any member of the
Senate or House, his colleague Mr. BENJAMIN
alone excepted.--Mr. BENJAMIN gave a mi
mute history of the original ownership of these
lands, and traced the title from the original pos
SCISSORS down to the present day He argued
strenuouslY against the injustice of forcing peo-
pie whose grandathers born on the lands
they now occupy, to bring suit against the Gov
ernment and prove their title, in default of so
doing, have their lands taken from them and con-
sdered as public lands--Mr. TOOMBS replied
defending the report of the Select Committee, ac-
the bill in reference to this subject now
before the Senate. He exhibited map of the tract
IN dispute to explain the subject.-Mr. PUGH
also discussed the subject at considerable length
sustaining the report Of the Select Committee
Mr.. WIGFALL said that although it was rather
late, yet as the Senate were about to take a vote
on the bill, he wished to give the reasons that
would govern his vote. We cannot divest vested
rights, and he opposed to re-opening the sub
ject. Vast improvements have been made on the
land and it has been in the continuous possession
of the present occupants and their predecessors for
more than fifty years.-Finally without taking the
question the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The House resumed the consideration of the
Pacific Railroad bill.-Mr. NOEL offered a sub
stitute providing for the commencement of the
road at the Western border of Texas; rejected.-
Mr.. WOODSON, as a compromise between the
various pI opOsitOns, proposed the main trunk from
San Francisco bptwppn the thirty fifth md
second parallels of north latitude to connect with
branches from Iowa, Missouri and Texas.-Mr
SMITH, of Virginia, advocated the Southern route
approving the proposition for branches for the ac
commodation OF local sectiOns.-Mr. FRENCH
replied, justifying the action of the Special Com
mittee in reporting the Central route and insisting
that 1t is national in character and best calculated
to promote the important purposes designed.-
Mr.. HAMILTON made comparison to show that
the Southern route was in all respects superior to
any other. He said the time had passed when the
South would cringe or beg. They intended to have
what was right and if they cannot get it one way
they will another, in spite of every tie which binds
them to the Union. 1t might be said they would be
cOerced by the so called freemen of the North but
it wonld not be the first the last time the
South would vctoriously meet invading tyrants-
Mr.. BARRETT made an hours speech on the gen
eral subject of Pacific railroad, advocating ST.
Louis one of the termini.-Mr. DAVIS of Ma
ryland showed that this bill is wholly impracticabe
the grant being made directly to subscribers crea
ting no more nor less than partnership which
wonld be dissolved on the first DEATH and the es-
tate thrown for settlement into court of chance
ry. Without an act of Incorporation of some kind
the work must stop. He suggested that the bill be
recommitted to the Select Committee, together
with the amendments, in order that it NAV be made
practicable under the laws of the land.-Mr
MlLLSON, of Virginia, also expressed his views,
taking legal view of the question, and showing
the scheme is mpracticable.-Mr.C CURTIS Of
Iowa, answered the objections which had been
made against the bill. He said, among other
things, that the grantees only took an expec-
fancy, and would get pay only when they have
done certain things, but not Otherwise
The question stated on the motion of
Mr.. DAVIS, of Maryland, to recommit the bill and
pending amendments to the select committee
MIR. CURTIS Intellectually endeavored to obtain
power for the committee to report at any time;
otherwise, he said, the recommitta would be tan
tamount to a defeat of the bil.-The House voted
on the motion, and decided the question in the
atlrmative-yeas 100, nays ST, and then went into
Committee for the purpose of general debate
Mr.. STEWART, of Mary land, proceeded to reply
to Mr.. Davis his colleague), who, some months
ago, reviewed the course of the Democratic MEM
bers of the MARYLAND Legislature, in condemnation.
He (Mr. $. } said he would have performed this
duty before now, if he could have obtained the
passed by the House Of Delegates, in which it was
said that Mr.. Davis had, by voting for Mr. PEN
nington for Speaker, forfeited the confidence
of his constituents, and commented upon the cir
cumstances attending its adoption. Mr.. Davis
was not present in the House at this time i
Mr.. Davis being absent, Mr.. Stewart waived his
right to the hoor-Several members obtained
permission to print speeches on various subjects
Adjourned.