Mr WOOD from the committee on salines, reported a bill for the manufacture of salt in Gallatin Saline, with a verbal amendment, which was agreed to.

Mr THRELKELD then moved to refer the bill to a select committee.

Mr BROWN, of V., wished for further information on this subject, he understood that a report from the auditor had been laid before the senate, which he would like to have an opportunity to examine.

Mr McCLERNAND said the gentleman from Vermilion was mistaken, there was no information before the senate that he knew of; if there had been it was such as had warranted the senate in passing this bill. Mr McC proceeded at great length to explain the nature of the bill, showing its advantages to the State, and to the people of the southern section of the state in particular; that the terms of lease were more favorable to the state, than those of any former lease had been, and that the passage of the bill would keep down the price of salt, prevent the Kenhawa company from establishing a monopoly, and afford salt to the neighborhood at 62 1-2 cents the bushel, such were the terms the lessee had entered into.

Mr LINCOLN was willing to go for the bill if he could be satisfied that we were not making a bad bargain.

Mr BROWN, of V., said he only wished, if there was information to be had on the subject, that the House might have it so that we might be able to decide understandingly on the question.

Mr HARDIN did not understand the subject; he thought that Mr Kershaw, the lessee, would have a monopoly for himself and friends by engaging to sell salt no higher than 62 1-2 cents a bushel; he thought the surplus profits if any, ought to go to the State; in order to obtain time for information and not to act in a hurry, he would move to lay the bill on the table.

Mr WEBB defended the bill at some length and urged several reasons strongly in its favor: as to a monopoly being created by engaging to sell at 62 1-2 cents, did not the gentleman perceive that the lessee might if he pleased, sell at one cent, or give the salt away to his friends.

Mr THRELKELD said there were claims outstanding to this property, which it appeared to him, would be cut off if it were to be leased.

Mr McCLERNAND in reply to an enquiry, stated that there was no competition nor any better bid than that of Mr Kershaw, the lessee under the bill; he was perhaps the only man from his property and situation in the neighborhood, able to lease the wells advantageously, and he had made a liberal offer to the State and submitted to terms highly advantageous to the southern section of the country.

Mr THRELKELD said that a bridge had been built across the Kaskaskia river, in Shelby county, on the faith of a sum appropriated out of this State property; that was still due and unpaid; all he wished for was information.

Mr MURPHY, of Perry, explained the nature of these appropriations; they had mostly been tacked on to bills as a sort of hush money.

Mr DOLLINS hoped the bill would not be retarded. If the price of salt was lowered in the southern section, it would have a bearing on its price in other parts of the country.

After a brief explanation between Mr Murphy, of Perry, and Mr Archer, the question on the motion to refer was taken and negatived without a division.

The bill was then read a second time and ordered to a third reading.