Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-12-07

Mr.. Biglor moved 70 adjourn, and the
Senate adjourned at 1910.
Edl HOUSE.
Mr.. Morris Of NJ, said it would be re-
membered that on Tuesday he sought 10 in
troduce 3 resolution concerning the perpe-
tuity Of The American Uuion. Since then
he had been called upon by various mem
bers snd requested again 70 presentit he
therefore gave notice that he would do 30
M. Vsllandideham, from the special
committee appointed ct the former session,
on the Senate bill abolishing the franking
privilege, made q report thereon, and pro
posed certain amendments.
Mr.. Cobb from the Committee on Public
Lands, reported q bill 70 o0nstFue the mean
ing Of the words minimum price Of public
lands"
Mr. Branch had hoped that such bills
might be withheld for the present in order
that Congress might consider q measure Of
more public importance.
Mr.. Cobb replied he would, for that pur-
pose, withdrew what he had offered, and
everything he had left in the shape Of bills,
but until some conciliatory measure was
offered he would in other respects perform
his duty.
After further proceedings the bill to con-
strue the meaning Of the words minimum
price Of public lands passed.
It provides that the word minimum be
construed according to the Land Graduation
Act 90 IS to apply to alternate and reserV-
ed sections Of land granted for railroads or
other international improvements, and in
favor Of actual settlers, aud not to mean
one dollar and q quarter per acre IS now
officially construed
The Speaker appointed the following
specisl committee under Mr.. BOtelers res
olution to consider questions connected
with the perilous condition Of h country /:
Ohio, CorFin, chairman; Virginia, Mill
son; Massachusetts,, Adams; North Caro-
lima, WinsloW; New York, Humphrey F;
South Carolina Boyee; Pennsylvania,
Campbell; Georgia, Love; Connecticut,
Ferry; Maryland, Davis Rhode Island,
Robinson Delaware, Whitley New Hamp
shire, Tappan New Jersey, Strattou; Ken
tuoky, BristoW; Vermont Morrell; Ten
nessee, Nelson; Indiana, Dunn; louisiana,
Baylor; Mississippi, Davis; Illinois, KEEL,
lorg; Alabams, Houston Maine, Morse I;
Missouri, Phelps; Arkansas, Rust; Miehi-
gan. Howard Florida Hawkins; Texas,
Hamilton; Wisconsin, Washburne; Iowa,
Curtis; California Burch; Minnesota,
WipsloW; Oregon, Stout
The Speaker desired to say the Psrlia-
uentary usage was to name on the commit
tee the mover Of the resolution under which
the committee was ordered to be formed
He had omitted the name Of Mr.. Boteler at
that gents own request. He had endeav-
ored 70 appoint the committee to the best Of
his Judgment and at the earliest period, 10
view Of the important business with which
the committee was entrusted.
Mr.. Hawkins Of Fla, said last Tuesday
Ibsgged TO be excused from voting; for sim
liar reasons I ask to be excused from serv
ing on this committee. I have consulted
with older members as to whether it is vol
untary or not for q member appointed on a
committee to serve, and have been inform
ed that be is compelled by the rules Of the
House to serve unless excused, and that if
Re does not serve he subjects himself to
something like rebuke or reprimand on the
part Of the House. Now IS long as 1 an 9
member Of this body I am anxious to re-
spect al its rules and I an unwilling to
draw upon myself rebuke or reprimand l
therefore ask the House TO excuse me from
serving IS 3 member Of the committee. If
am compelled BY the rules or custom to
serve, L viii be q very unimPortant and not
an efficient member. know l cannot act
with all the committee. As to the idea Of
getting up e committee with unanimity,
peace, and In 3 Union saving manner, 1
have been opposed to anything Of that kind
in tbs past and IN now, believing that the
time FOR compromise is past forever.
Mr.. Jno. Coehrsne Of New York said,
that he had heard with q great deal Of re-
gret his friend ask to be excused from serv-
ing on the committee. It has well been
said here to-day IN the ehamplain's prayer
that the gray shadow Of the dark wing Of
dissolution has been extended over our
house and country and 50 deep is the gloom
that we can scarcely discern one CLEAN Of
light to enable US to transact the ordinary
business Of legislation. Mems minds have
been devoted fer weeks past to the great
and absorbing topic Of controversy which
enlists al thoughts, and demands Of every
individual his best exertions and his purest
wisdom. II Is Of Importance to this issue
that the Republic should command the *
ertions and Efforts Of all its citizens. / be-
lieTe nov, in the midst Of this crisis, with
the perils impending over the country, that
there Is no reason why this House, repre-
ssnting the patriotism and wisdom Of the
country, should excuse the gentleman from
Florida. I believe that from all parts of
his State where the people are looking with
soiicitude on passing events and with anx-
ious eyes, II the voice Of his constituents
could be heard, it would be in tones be-
seeehing and appealing to their represen-
taiVs 20 stand forward in this issue and
assume the brunt Of the controversy. BE
did not believe with the gentleman il was
important 10 the welfare Of the country
that there should be q unanimous report on
the subject referred to the committee. How
ever, God grant it may be. applause in
the galleries accompanied BY cries Of COR
der, order" on the hoor.) God grant that
it nay be stamped with the u~naninity which
patriotism demands. If this country is
not to Be saTed-if patriotism is not sufh-
oient to command this glorious result it is
due that the people Of the United States
should know it It is due to the benighted
regions Of the country that the facts
should be impressed on their minds and
Ignorance no longer be pleaded as Gn ex-
crse for the acts which have brought Us 70
this fesrful preoipioe. If we are not %
have q unanimous report to save the coun-
try from the psngs and agony Of secession,
lstus know what demands are made by one
section Of the country from the other, and
mm