The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-05-16
COEG 2 q IS.
SATURDAY, May 5.

private business-shoud be suspended, IN or
der to finish tho bill making appropriations,
commonly called the internal Improvement
bill The rule being accordingly suspended
the several appropriations, VIZ,
For completing the pier aud mole at oSwe-
go, s 10000; for removing distractions at S"-
aus Bay, I. 900 for improving Tho entrance
of the River, 5000; for completing the pier
at Buffalo, 10, 300; Ger completing the works at
Black Rock, SOFA; for completing the works
at Dunkirk, iO200; were severally discussed,
and, having been greed to IN committee, the
House again finally concurred therein
Two amendments making appropriations tor
the Improvement of the Arkansas River, Slo,.
600 and for tho extension Of the Detroit and
Chicago road 1000, were also, on motion oil
Mr.. Sewer, severally agreed TO-.
On motion OF Mr.. White Of Louisiana, an
amendment was agreed to, that the improve
men,s contemplated on TIE Ohio aud Missis
sppi rivers. and for which $50,000 were appro-
praied. should be extended hcncetnr;h below
New Orleans so as 10 aid in deepening the
bar, and make Othor improvements up The Gui'
of Mexico. As there were other amendments
submitted, upon which prolracted discussion
was like ly TO ensue, the house did not act den
nitely ON the bill and motion for adjourn
ment until Monday, prevailed.
MONDAY, May7,
SENATE Mr. Foot laid on the table a res
olution, requesting the President to cause to
be prepared, and laid before the Senate, at the
next session, plan for the new organization
and simpIifcation of the Treasury Department,
embracing a reduction OF officers, &c.
The Senate then resumed the unfinished
business of Friday, being the bill to construct
certain post Offices ard TO discontinue others
Mr. II dimes then concluded his observations in
favor of the amendment offered by Mr. Blbb
to abolish the postage on newspapers alter the
lst July next, and the discussion continued till
the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE. The resolution presented on
former day BY Mr.. Il. Everett, after being mod
fled 50 as to call on tho Post Mase. General
for certain information in relation TO contracts
Tor furnishing post Office stationery, was briefly
debated BY Messrs. Everett, X. Nj. Johnson,
and SpeiGht. when Mr. Whittesry Of Ohio,
moved an amendment for the appointment OF
Select Committee to inquire into the affairs OF
the Post Office Department generally, with
power TO send for persons and papers, which
amendment was debated BY Messrs. Whit
tesey, Crawford, and Il. NJ. Johnson. Be-
fore tine latter had concluded his remarks.
Gov Houston, according TO order, was placed
ut the oar Of tho House, when he commenced
his defence and spoke near Two hours. When
he had concluded, Mr.. Harper OF n. H., offer
ed resolution directing Samuel Houston to
be discharged from the custody OF The Ser
geant-at-Arms. Mr. Huntington moved an
amendment bv way Of substitute, declaring
that the accused had been guilty of contempt
and breach of the privilege of the House, which
he supported by speech of about one hour
and half in length. Mr.. Polk then rose 10
address the house, but gave way to motion,
by Mr. lngersoll, that further proceedings IN
the case DO postponed to Tuesday, II o'clock.
which was carried, when the House adjourned
TUESDAY, May s.
SENATE. The resolution of MIR. Foot re-
guessing the President to lay before Congress
at its next session a plan for recognizing the
Treasury Department, for the purpose Of re-
ducing the number of its officers, was agreed
to The post office bill was taken up, and MIR.
Holmes concluded his speech in favor of the
amendment, abolishing postage on newspapers.
He was replied to by Mr.. Grundy. Mr. Bib
commenced speech in favor of tho amend
ment, which was continued TO the hour of ad-
tournament.
HOUSE. The case of Gen. Houston occn-
pied the whole days session. Mr.. Polk enter
ed into an argument against the constitutional
right of the House to take cognizance of such
cases. Mr.. Ellsworth, on the other hand, con
te ended, that the power of furnishing contempts
belonged to all deiIberative assemblies, as to
courts of law, from necessity. Mr.. Drayton
was in favor of diScharging the respondent, be-
cause the privileges of members extended only
to their duties IN the House, and in his opin'
ion, this case had nothing to do with privileges
Mr. Cooke supported the amendment. On mo-
ton of Mr.. Doddridge, further proceedings
were postponed until the following day.
WEDNESDAY, May 9.
SENATE. Mr.. Dickerson moved to take
~ do e. tho l,.tr ik,,tin
limited time, Of the proceeds of the Public
Lands The motion being successful, the SEN
ate proceeded to consider the motion made by
Mr. King to refer the bill from the Committee
on Manufactures Ia the Committee on Public
Lands This motion led to some discussion,
and was finally determined in the affirmative
by the casting vote of the Vice President.
The Senate then resumed the Post Office
Bill Mr.. Bibb concluded his remarks in ia
vor OF his amendment, and the discussion con-
sumed the day.
HOUSE. The House again proceeded to
the consideration of the resolution respecting
the case of Samuel Houston, with the amend,
ment proposed thereto which was debated by
Messrs. Doddridge and Beardsley. After sew
er Intellectual attempts 10 postpone and ad.
iourn, further proceedings were postponed un-
til | o'clock, A. NJ, on Thursday.
THURSDAY, May 10.
SENATE. Mr.. IIayne offered resolution,
calling on the Secretary Of the Treasury TO re.
port varions Information including tho gross
amount of y.nue received for imports and
tonnage for years which were specified, and
designating various articles on which The re-
port was required to be specific, such as tea,
coffee, cocoa, wines, &c. The Senate resumed
the unfinished discussion on the Post Office
Bill. Mr.. Clayton and Mr. Holmes spoke in
favor of the amendment, to abolish the post.
age on newspapers when the question was taxi
en- and decided in the negative, yeas %, nays
% The bill was then further amended in its
details, and thus amended was reported to TIE
Senate. The amendments were then concur.
red in, and The Senate adjourned
HOUSE The House resumed the consider
alton of the case of Samuel Houston. Mr.
d.ley concluded his remarks against the
motion for declaring him guilty thereof. He
was followed by Messrs. Sutherland, Mitchell
Of s c., and Crane. Mr.. Burgess having OBJ.
tnined the floor at n late hour in the day, fur
Their proceedings were postponed until 10
o'clock, A. NJ, Friday.
FRIDAY, May H.
SENATE. Most Of the day was occupied
with the Pension Bill, but no question was
taken Adjourned to Monday.
HOUSE. Mr.. McDufie presented the Re-
port Of the Minority oflhe Committee appoint
ed 10 investigate the affairs Of the Bank. Mr..
Adams stated that the separate Report he wish
ed to make would be ready on Monday. The
case of Houston ngain came up and was dis
cGssed until a late h0nr in the evening, when
il was decided that - no has been guilty OF n
contempt aud violation Of the privileges of the
House," by vote Of LOG 10 50. A motion was
then made that he be dschargcd which was