The register. (Monroe, La.) 185?-1861, 1860-02-09
The Houlmas Claims.


dents and owners of the Houmas Lands in the
parishes of Ascension and Ibervile, in the State
of Louisiana, praying that the act approved
June 2, 1858, to provide "for the location of
State of Louisiana, and for other purposes"
may be repealed, and that Congress will direct
any investigation it may see fit into the subject
of these claims, be withdrawn from the files of
the Senate.
Under ordinary circumstances, Mr.. Presi-
dent, this petition should have taken the direc-
ton of reference 10 the Committee on Private
Land Claims; but, inasmuch as the course of
my colleague directly, and Of myself indirectly,
in relation to the passage of the bill referred
to as to the matter involved in this petition has
been impugned, and my colleague is still chair
man of the Committee on Private Land Claims,
l think it would not be proper that this paper
should take that direction. The next most
appropriate committee would be the Commit
tee on the Judiciary; and l now make the
motion that the reference be made to that COM
mittce; but will not ask the present consid-
Grafton of the subject by the Senate. I will
defer the consideration Of my motion until the
opposite parties, who understand are now
represented by their agents in Washington,
shall manifest dissent from such a course. If
they think proper to ask for special commit
the, or suggest to me that it would be more
agreeable to them, and more promotive Of the
public interests, that special committee should
be appointed for that purpose, my colleague
and myself will very cheerfully assent to such
reference. My motion now is, that the paper
be taken from the files and referred to the
committee on Judiciary. do not ask for the
present consideration Of the motion.
| Mr.. Collamer-I would suggest to the SEN
ator, though do not wish to objectto his course
at ALL that he should recollect that his colleague
is also member of the Judiciary Committee.
! Mr.. Slidell-I ought to observe that my col
league in relation to this matter-I have anti
cipated that obection--of course would not
act as q member of the Judiciary Committee,
and would not participate in its deliberations.
do not wish the present consideration of the
SUBJECT. am perfectly willing that if the
agents of these parties who have made charges
which l will not pretend now to qualify by
their proper name, are DESTROYS that reference
should be made to select committee, and dc
not desire its investigation by the appropriate
committee. l have no objection; neither has
my colleague
The President pro tempore-The Senator does
not ask the consideration of the motion to-
day.
Mr.. Slidell-I leave it until tomorrow
am perfectly willing that the Senator from
Vermont should make q motion for the refer
ence to a special committee, and will accept
| it.
Mr.. Collamer-I never had man speak tt
me on the subject in the world. merely wish
ed to bring to the gentleman's mind the fact
that his colleague was on the Judiciary Com
mittee, and be could as we'll act on one COM
mittee as the other, the Committee on Private
Land Claims being the appropriate committed
ordinarily.
Mr.. Sldell-The difference is this: my col
league is Chairman of the Committee on Pri
waite Land Claims, and probably it would not
be exactly in order that he should not be pre-
sent at the deliberations of that committee
This objection does not apply 10 the Judiciary
committee, and if any gentleman now present
chooses to amend my motion by proposing tc
refer it to select committee, have no sort o.
objection; neither has my colleague.
Mr.. Gwin-I think the proper committee
would be the Committee on Public Lands.
Mr.. Clay and others-Let it lie over.
Mr., johnson, OF Arkansas-U nquestionably
the Senatar from California is not right in his
superstition. The Judiciary Committee is un
doubtedly more appropriate committee thar
the Committee on Public Lands. There are
legal questions to be examined, of the most
abstruse and difficult character, in regard te
this matter, Let it lie over.
Several Senators-Let it lie over.
The subject was therefore allowed to lie over
The matter was afterwards again brought
up, and referred to special committee.
| A GUEss.-The Louisville Journal ventures
to guess that the Hon. A. H. Stephens Of Ga,
vii! be nominated for the Presidency by the