Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-12-30

oAy. Nr. MCDumc OpJeCtcu 20 tnls COURSE,
stating that if referred to that committee, it
would supercede his resolution, which he had
purposely framed in such manner as to ex-
clude all details; prcferring first to ascertain
whether the House was disposed for any
change atall. He hoped, therefore, that the
gentleman from Illinois would consent to let
his resolution lie on the table, giving notice
that he should offer such amendments when
the question came on for discussion; to which
proposition ar. Cook agreed.
Mr.. M'Dufie, from the Select Commute
who were some few days ago, instructed to
inquire into the practicability of improving
the Representative Hall with respect to the
existing difficulty of hearing, reported series
of resolutions recommending, That for the
purpose ofexperiment, temporary floor be
constructed, on horizontal plane, at the ele-
Walton of the bottom of the Pillars; that a TEN.
porary seat be erected for the Speaker imme.
diately in front of the present entrance, leav-
ing only sufficient space behind it for the mem
bers to pass: and that the seats ofthe members
be arranged in lines fronting the Speakers
chair. The Committee also recommended
that partition, twelve feet high, be erected
Immediately in the rear of the line of columns
forming the promenade: and that the expen-
ses OF these experiments be betrayed from
the contingent fund ofthe House.
The House having agreed to consider the
report, Mr.. McDuffie and Mr.. Mercer used
many arguments to enforce the necessity of
trying the proposed experiments, alleging at
the same time that the cost would be under
FIVE hundred dollars, and that the House would
not have to adjourn for longer time than
from Friday to the Tuesday following. Mr..
Bartlett, of New Hampshire, opposed any al
teration, insisting that the fault was in the
Members themselves and not in the Hail.
There was no difficulty, he said, in hearing,
if the Members thought proper to hear; in
deed if there was any defect in the Hall, it
was that ofaffording too great a facility of be-
ing heard, for it was often difficult to distin-
guish between the voices of those addressing
the chair and others in private conversation.
Mr.. Mangum of North Carolina, was in ia
vor ofsome change, and offered resolution
instructing the same committee to inquire In
to the practicability of converting the present
Library Room into Representative Hall; but
it was opposed by Mr.. Mercer, and lost, on
the ground that the experiments recommend
ed BY the Committee ought first to be tried.
Mr.. Bartlett moved that the subject lie on the
table till tomorrow, which was finally agreed
to.
On motion of Mr.. Thomson of Pennsylva-
MIA, the Committee on Commerce were in
structed to inquire into the expediency of
making the City of Washington, in the Dis
trict of Columbia, Port of Entry;
And, on motion of Mr. Dorsey of Maryland,
the same committee were instructed to in.
q,ire into the expectancy of erecting Light
House on the Chesapeake Bay, at Cove Point
in Calvert County, State of Maryland.
On the motion of Mr.. Miner Of Pennsylvania,
the Committee of Commerce were instructed
to INQUIRE whether the cultivation of the Null.
berry tree and the breeding of silk worms,
for the purpose of producing silk, be SUBJ
iect worthy of Legislative attentions and
should they think it so, that they obtain such
information as may be in their power, respect
ing the mulberry tree most preferred; the best
soil, climate and mode of cultivation; the pro
bable value of the culture, taking into view the
capital employed. the labor and the product
together with such other facts and opinions
as they may think useful and proper. By ano
Their resolution, the same Committee were in
structed to enquire whether any Legislative
provisions are necessary OF proper to promote
the production of silk.
| MIR. Miner made some few remarks, which
he deemed necessary to the adoption OF hi
resolutions, and among others he said that TIT
| importation of the article Of silk, tor the las
wear, exceeded six millions and half OF dol
lars, while the whole amount of -four, wheat
corn, and every species fbread stuffs export
ed, during the same period, was million shor
of that sum; the expectation OF tobacco
for the same time, was about four millions;
the whole productions ofthe fisheries less thar
two millions. Upon the last subject Mr. M
said there had been much Legislation, an'
very properly: he thought the one which
he now proposed for consideration had equa
claims to the attention of the country, and D!
ins,ituting an enquiry in Congress, the mind
| of the people would be directed to an earl!
examination into this important orahch o
trade.
On motion of Mr.. Peter of Maryland, TIT
| Military Committee were instructed 10 III
ouire into the expediency of amending TIT
law so as to require that all staff officers OF tn
ARMY shall hereafter be taken from the hh
of officers of the Army.
| ~ uo,,sa aJ;o,,rned