The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-12-13
xxxvI Congress, I'd session.


passed. 1t proves that the word minimum be
construed according to the Land Graduation
Act SO as to apply to alternate and reserved
sections ofland granted for Railroad or 9TH
err international improvements and in favor
Of actual settlers, and not to mean one dollar
and quarter per acre rs new officially con-
etrned.
The Speaker appointed the following spe-
cia Committee, under Mr.. Botelers re.olu-
tion, to reconsider questions connected with
the perilous condition of the country:
Corwin Of Ohio, Chairman. Millson of
Virginia, Adams of Massachusetts,, Wins.
low of North Carolina Humphrey of New
York, Boyce of South Carolina. Campbell of
Pennsylvani, Love Of Georgia. Perry of Con-
necticut, Davis Of Maryland, Whitley of
Delaware, Tappen Of New Hampshire, STRAIT
Morrill, of Indiana, Taylor of Louisiana, Da-
Wis of Missouri, Kellogg Of Illinois, Houston
ofAlabama, Morse of Maine, Phelps of Mis-
souri,, Rust Of Arkansas, Howard of Michi-
Washburn Of Wisconsin, Curtis of Iowa,
Buch of California, Widdom of Minnesota,
Stout of Oregon.
HousE-The Speaker desired TO say tha,
Parliamentary ufage Was to name the Com
mittee. The mover Of the resolution under
which the Committee was ordered to he
formed, he had omitted the name of Mr.
Boetler ut tuat gentleman S own request.
he had enleavorei to appoint the COMMITTEES
to the best of his ia lgment aud at the ear
Hest period, in view Of the important busi-
ness with which the Committee was eutrus-
ted.
Mr.. Hawkins Of Fla, said, last Tuesday,
begged to be excused from voting. For
similar reasons ask to be excused from
serving on this Committee. have consul
ted with older members as to whether it is
voluntary or not for member appointed on
Committee to serve, and have been inform
ed that he is compelled by the laws of tie
House to serve, unless excused, and that If
he does not serve he subjects himself to
something like rebuke or reprimani on the
part of the House. Now, as long as 1 am .
member of this body, am anxious to respect
all its rnles, and am unwilling to draw upon
myself rebuke or repIimand. therefore
ask the House to excuse me from serving as
a member of the Committee. If am CON-
PEELED BY the rules Of custems to serve, l
will be q very important not an efficient,
member know cannot act with all the
Committee. As to the idea Of getting up
Committee with unanimity, peace and in a
Union-saving manner, have been opposed
TO any thing Of that kind in the past and am
now, believing that the time for comprom-
Use has'passed forever.
Mr. John Cochrane, Of n Y, said that he
had heard, with great deal Of regret his
friend ask to be excused from serving on
the Committee. II has we'll been said be-
fore to-day, in the Chaplains prayer. that
the gray shadow Of the dark wing Of disso.
luton has been extended over our houses
and country, and SO deep is the gloom that
we can scarce discern one CLEAN Of light to
enable US to transact the ordinary business
of legislation. Mems minds have been de-
voted for weeks past to the great and absor-
bling topic of controversy which enlists all
thoughts and demands of every individual
his best exertions and efforts Of ell its
citisens. believe now, in the midst of this
crisis, with perils impending over the
country, that there Is no reason Why this
House, representing the patriotism and
wisdom Of the country, should excuse the
gentleman from Florida. believe that
from all parts Of his State, where the people
are looking with solicituds on passing
events and with envious eyes, il the voice Of
his constituents could be heard, IL would be-
in tones beseeching and appealing to their
Representatives. to stand forward in this
issue aud assume the blunt Of the controver::
~.
He did not believe with the gentleman IL
Vas important to tho welfare Of the country
that there should be unanimous r port on
the subject REFEREED to by the committee
However, God grant it may be (Applause in
the galleries, accompanied BY cries Of order
on the door.) God grant that It may be
stamped with the unsnimity which patriot
ism demands. Ifthis country il not to be
saved If patriotism il not sufficient to com
naud the glorious result il 70 due that the