Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-12-27
TWENTIETH CONGRESS.
MONDAY, DECEMBER -, 1923.

'ECOND SESSION.

SECOND SESSION.
MONDAY, DECEMBER %, 1923.
IN SENATE.
The Hon. John c. Calhoun, Vice President of
the United States, attended to-day, and resumed
the Chair of the Senate.
Mr.. Smith, of Maryland, presented a memori-
al Of sundry merchants of Baltimore, praying that
certain goods imported by them since the passage
of the Tariff law oil last Session Inay for reasons
stated by them, be released from the payment OF
the extra duties, which was read and referred.
MIR. Smith presented memoi al from the Com
pany, praying tina; Congress will extend its patron
age 10 the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road, by an
appropriation i'll aid OF its construction; which was
read and referred.
MIR. Barton presented sundry resolutions of the
Legislature Of Missouri, rendering their thanks to
Mr.. Benton, for his eXertions to procure the pas
sage of an act TO graduate the price public lands
and TO sell all refused TO the States in which they
lie: and insructing their other Senator, and re-
qucstng their Representative in Congress to aid
IN the passage of such law. The resolutions al
SO compliment Mr.. Tazewell, for his support of
the bill They read, and ordered TO lie ON
the table.
By Mr., Benton:
Resolued, That the 5th secion OF The Sinking
Fund act OF 1917, ought 20 be so amended as to
authorize the Commissioners OF that Fund, 10
make purchases of the public debt, at its current
market price, whenever, in their opinion. such
purchases can be made beneficialIy for the inter-
ests of the United States, aud consistently with
existing engagements.
=. That the 4th section of the same act, which
authorizes retention Of two millions OF surplus
revenue in the Treasury, ought to be repealed;
and that the hrst section of the Sinking Fund act
of 1890, which directs the whole of the surplus
money in the Treasury TO be applied to the pay
ment OF the public debt, ought TO be revived and
continued in force.
3. That the Bank Of the United States ought to
be required TO make compensation to the People
OF the United States, for the use of the balances
OF public money in its hands.
4 That public debt is a public burthen, and
that the present debt of he United States is bur-
then upon the People Of the United States TO the
amount of more than fifteen millions OF dollars per
annurn; from which they ought TO be relieved as
soon possible, and may be relieved in four years,
by IS timely" and 'jsdici0lis" application of the
means within the power of Congress.
3. That an abolition Of duties 10 the amount of
the ten millions OF dollars annually levied on
account of the public debt ought 10 be made as
soon as that debt is paid, and may be made accor-
ding to the present indications of the revenue with
out diminishing the protection due 10 any branch
OF domestic manufactures, and with manifest adj
vantage 10 the agriculture ard commerce. of the
country.
8. That The Committee OH Finance be directed
10 prepare and bring IN bill to carry into effect
thc objects OF the first aid second OF these resou-
tons.
BY Mr. Eaton. -RcSolUcd, hat ihe committee on
Einlnce inquire it some changes 10 not necessa-
ry in relation to The collection OF imposts the pro-
priety OF disseminating per ceafG9e payments and
fees to any and all officers engaged in, or con-
nected with, the collection OF the Customs; and Of
changing their CompC nsations into definite and
certain sums, bsving, in estimating said salaries
regard 10 the importance Of the respective ports
at which each officer may be engaged, to the liza
bllities TO be met, aud labors TO be encountered.
That they inquire it any collection district may
be safely discontinued, and the duties thereof con-
hded to other inferior officer, or discontinued
entirely, and attached to other Districts of the pro-
priety OF reducing the number OF inspectors, and
altering the mode OF compensation allowed them;
OF The pIopfiety OF dispensing with guagers, and
measurers, and confding their duties 10 inspec-
tors OF ports; and OF dispensing with the appoint
ment Of valuer5 Of damaged goods imported and
with the payment OF all fees at the Custom house
and substituting some more eligible plan; and gem
orally, that the Committee inquire what acts Of
Legislation may he necessary IN reference to the
alterations aud changes here proposed, and for
carrying them into complete effect.
Mr. L yler asked and obtained leave 10 introduce
4 bill relative to the salary OF the Marshal of the
Eastern District Of Virginia; which was read the
hrst time, and passed TO second reading.
The bill to compensate Susan Decatur and o.
Tiers, for the capture Of the Philadelphia frigate
was taken mp for consideration
Mr. Woodbury. moved that the further consd-
GRAFTON OF tie bill be postponed until Monday next
'ha; The subject might be examined and as the
Chairman Of the Naval Committee was absent.
Mr.. Tazewell explained. Ie said the bill was
precisely similar TO which passed the Senate
at the last session: that the committee at that lime
made very full report. linen was in possession
OF the Senator, aud that ID further information
was necessary, or in possession Of the Commit |
zee, or required, 10 act undersiandngy on the sub.
ject.
MIR. Woodbury. then Withdrew his motion
Mr. Chambers said he was not prepared TO make |
any objections to the bill at the present TINE;
but as something might be offered against it, and
rs others might apply 10 be included among the
names in the bill, he hoped it would not be urged
and that the motion which was withdrawn would
be renewed.
Br. Benton said that II was an extraordinary
course to stop bill on its passage, which had
once passed the Senate, and been Lost in the House
LOT want OF time. tho bill was now brought up
eafiy n ihc session that it might be sent down
m season 10 pass. II was certainly extraordinary |
TO stop bil under these circumstances that some
person might nave an opportunity 10 be included |
IN its provisions Thc Chairman OF the Naval
Committee was necessarily absent, 90 that ne /
could cot make any explanations; bat he MIR I
BESToNi did not know that 1t was necessary to |
60 in'0 ig'l DISCUSSION NJ fhe whole subject Il !