Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-01-12
H0USE.

1USSAs
Mr.. Edwards, of Arkansas, said that if he
had been present when the report reflect
ing on him and Senator Clayton was made
he should have denounced the testimony
taken as untrue, and should have moved for
an Investigating Committee. He is con-
tent, however, now 70 leave the matter
with the Election Committee.
- The Tennessee River.
Resolutions in reference to improvements
in the Tennessee river were adopted.
The bill from the Commerce Committee
authorizing the construction of ship canal
from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi
river, was reported and recommitted.
Appeals to the Supreme Court.
Mr.. Butler, from the Law Committe, re-
ported bill increasing the Limitation of the
minimum amount of suits which may be
appealed to the Supreme Court from s., 700
to 5000 and other rules relative to ap-
peals from territorial courts and in criminal
proceedings. Ordered printed and recon-
mitted.
A Very Dead Issue.
The Joint resolution accepting the statue
of Roger Williams from Rhode Island was
then taken up.
Mr.. Eames eulogized the life and character
Of Roger Williams.
Mr.. Banks replied to some remarks rela-
tive to the banishment of Williams from
Massachusetts, to Rhode Island. He con-
ceded the virtues claimed for him, but said
Williams was a troublesome man to the
Puritans. Concerning Williams banish-
nfAlt, he said that Williams denied the title
of the people to their lands as derived by
grant from the Crown of England, and
held that there could be no valid title eX-
cept derived from the Indians. Banks, re-
ferring to the trouble which Williams had
caused, said he hoped that no exception
would be taken by any of his colleagues if
he stated that there were few more of that
sort left in the State. (Laughter.) Turning
to Butler, Banks remarked: "There is no
exception to that, is there ?"
Butler nodded in acquiescence.
None at all, continued Banks. am sure
none of my colleagues will take exception
to that. He went on to enlarge upon the
views expressed by him as to the real causes
of the Punishment.
Mr.. Eames undertook to reaffirm his
views, and after Mr.. Banks had finished,
1he members from the Democratic side ap-
parently enjoying the scene, focked in the
neighborhood of Eames to hear what he
had to say, as he spoke too indistinctly to be
heard at any distance.
If you deny, he said, the Yankee the title
to his land, be will fight with you at once,
whether you belong to the same church
with him or not. Laughter.
Mr.. Cox addressed the Speaker and the
audience Immediately moved over to the
Democratic side. He poked fun at the
memory of the PIlritans, and eulogized that
of Williams, whose statue he hailed as a
standing protest against meanness, intoler-
ance and bigotry.
Mr.. Butler, of Massachusetts,, next en-
gagged the attention of the House, the audi
ence flowing backward to the Republican
side. He proceeded to defend and eulogize
the Puritans. Abiding to remark of Mr..
Cox's that the Pilgrims had intended to
land at Manhattan Island, but had by dis
pensation of Providence gone to Massachu-
setts Bay, he said he would stop for amo-
ment to contemplate what would have been
the change in Manhattan Island if the Pill
grims had settled there. Laughter.
Might he not point to Massachusetts and
Manhattan as specimens on the one side o.
a Puritan Commonwealth and onthe Other
a Commonwealth which needed words to
characterize it? Laughter.l
Constitutional PhraseOIOgy.
Mr.. NIblack took exception to the
| phraseology of the resolution in tie sen
tence that I" this work of art is accepted
| in the name of the nation," and sugg !SteC
that the proper phraseology be "In tht
name of the people of the United States ,
| He moved amendment in that respect.
Mr.. Eldridge suggested that Mr.. Niblack'
! amendment cOrrCs spOnded exactly with tht
| Constitution of the people of the United
| States.
| Mr.. Hoar (Massachusetts) trusted tina
| the House would pause before striking from
| the resolution the assertion that this COun
! try is nation.
| Mr.. Niblack said it was a mere question
of phraiseology. The word nation appeared
| to him as having sort of schoolmaster OF
| pedagogue twang about it. He called TO
the yeas and nays. -.--r..
The vote taken resulted, ayes 78; nay
113. The Democrats all voted aye, and tht
Republicans al no.
The joint resolution then passed.
Louisiana.
Mr.. Dawes asked leave to offer reso
| luton for the appointment of select com
mittee to inquire into the condition 0
| Louisiana.
Messrs. Caughlon and Kerr objected.
Adjourned. @t '