Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-01-11
From the National Journal.

CONGRESS PROCEEDINGS oF MoNDAi'
Iv rur SEs,rE-Mr. Van Buren,, from the
committee on the Judiciary, to whom was re-
ferred so much of the Presidents message as
relates to that subject, reported bill further TO
amend the Judicial system OF the United
States: which was read the first time, ana or
dered to a second reading.
In presenting this bill, Mr. Van Buren, re-
marked. that this was subject which had oc-
runied the attention Of the Senate for the last
two or three sessions, and a matter to which
the committee had given the consideration its
imnortance demanded At the last session,
The committee reported bill, proposing to IN
crease the number Of Associate Justices oil the
Snnreme Court from six to nine, and to extend
The number of Circuits from seven to ten,
which, together with provision enlarging the
term of the session Of the Supreme Court, was
the improvement then contemplated TO be made
in the system That bill was acted upon IN the
Senate, and received the assent OF majority OF
the members, but was not passed Tor want OF
lime The committee had again considered
The subject in every aspect, and majority had
AGREED to report bill with similar provisions.
In adopting this course, the committee were IN
Auenced by the belief that this measure, though
No, entirely without objections, was most Tree
from them. and ono which was most lkeiy 10
receive the sanction OF Congress. This opinion
was strengthened by the fact that bill, with
rLe nrovisions. had been introduced into the
House of Representatives, and appearances JUS
tilted the opinion that il would pass that BODY
MIR. Van Buren,, from the same committee,
repor,cd a bill to alter the time oil holding the
sessions of The Supreme Court 'of the United
States. which was passed to its second reading
MIR Van Buren,, from the same committee to
whom was referred the bill "prescnolng me
mode Of commencing, prosecuting ana deCid
mo controversies between the States, reported
tbs same without amendment, statnS 'na' IL
ms the unanimous opinion Of the committee,
that it Dug not to pass.
On motion OF Mr.. Robbins, it was ordered
to lie on the table.
MIR. LLOYD, of Mass. from the Committee on
Commerce. to whom was referred that part OIL
the Presidents Message which relates 10 the
exnediency of an entire removal OF the discrl-
minating duties of tonnage, and OF lmpost, on
the entry Of foreign vessels and merchandise
into the United States, made very interesting
report on the subject, which was read.
The following is the concluding part:
uOn the whole view, therefore, which the
Cornn,;t,ee have been enabled to take OF the
snh;ect committed to them, and which Tor ma
10 Gears has been one Of much interest and at
,eni;on. both with the people Of the y. States
and The Government, although they are aware
that from the high price Of laborin the United
States. an index, as they conceive, OF great ma
tional prosperity, arising, as does, IN PERIOD
Of ne,ce. from the reward which ability and IN
dustry are sure to,mee, in a country where eve
w man is free. without shackles, prohibitions
~ u,ononoly. to avail Of the fruits OF his own
Efforts. and where, from the comparative extent
al the territory to the sparseness oil the popu-
I,,;on labor is sure, for long time yet to come,
not only to be required, but to be amply re-
warded; as well from the greater cheapness and
facility in obtaining the articles necessary for
shin building, and the difference in the cost; as
we'll as in the comforts of subsistence, between
American and European seamen, that the YES
sells Of the North Of Europe particularly, can
nrobably be constructed and navigated at less
EXPENSE than those of the United States; yet
the Committee, duly estimating the intelll-
eence. industry, and enterprise, Of the mer-
chants and navigators Of the United States, and
reposine that confident reliance, which they be-
Ieye may be safely placed, on their successful
competition with those OF any other nation, on
equal terms, are Of opinion, that while the prof.
fer entirely to abolish the discriminating duties
between the United States and other nations,
who may reciprocate the same, alike on vessels
and on merchandise, will meet the protessedly
prime Pies of the present times, and will afford
anew Instance efthe equa. and equitable views,
and of the frank and liberal policy, which have
ever characterised the conduct of the U. States
in its commercial and foreign relations, the
doing it will not be injurious to any of the in
teresis thereof; and therefore report the follow
ing bill:--
"An Act in addition to an Act. entitled an
Act concerning discriminating duties of ton
mage and impost."
The bill was read twice, and made the order
of the day for Monday next.
Mr. Van Buren, presented the memorial Of
Archibald Oracle, of the City of New York,
stating that In the years 1906 and 1907 he load
ed two vessels, that cleared directly for Ant
werp, and after forcible detention Of few
DAYS in England, where they were carried by
British cruisers, they arrived at their place of
destination. At the time Of their arrival, the
Berlin decree was in existence, declaring that
no vessel coming directly from England should
be permitted to enter French port Under
this decree, though none Of its provisions were