WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1854
72
one-fourth section of land according to the terms of this act, shall be trans- ferable as any other land scrip under an act of Congress authorizing the issue of the same to soldiers of the late War with Mexico." REMARKS ON THE RIVERS AND HARBORS BILL, JULY 31, 1854 1 Mr. President, I have patiently observed the progress of busi- ness here since this bill was introduced into the Senate. It was not my intention to make any remarks upon it. I have been pre- pared at all times to vote upon amendments, and upon the bill itself, whenever the question should be put to the Senate; but I have no idea that we shall get through the bill to-night. I do not think the temper of the Senate is of such a character as to present a very flattering hope that we shall get through. I have risen for no other purpose than to say that I have been waiting for the general action necessary on the bill. I am ready at any time to give my vote, for or against it, as the case may be. I have said nothing on it. I have offered no amendments. My honorable colleague has offered but one amendm·ent and that was more im- portant to the country generally than it was to Texas, in the supply of troops, and would have been a matter of great expe- diency, so far as economy to the Government is concerned. Hav- ing made these remarks, I move that the Senate do now adjourn. [The motion to adjourn was rejected.] Mr. President, since this bill was introduced into the Senate, I have thought of it, not with reference to what might be the opinions or action of the President of the United States upon it, nor with reference to the opinions of the House, or what its fate might be if it were returned to that body, but I have regarded it as a subject-matter for the Senate while it remained here. With referenee to that view alone have I been prepared to act on it. I have believed from the first that I would not vote for it; but I have not sought by word or by vote to embarrass the action of the body upon it. I have been prepared at every moment to give my vote, whatever it might be. If the bill contained ninety-nine provisions which were unexceptionable, and one which was in- expedient, improper, or unconstitutional, I should deem it ground sufficient to vote against it, and I would do so. If we are not capable of so modifying the bill as to make it unexceptionable in character, and so that it will meet the concurrence of the other House, and the approbation of the Executive, and satisfy the wants of the country, I think we have no business to legislate upon the subject.
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