Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-02-24
,ESvemay-tHnird COmgress---ssd. Sess.
Thursday, Fcjruary 10.
In SENATE

Mr. Buchanan asked, and, by the unanimous assent o
me senate obtained leave to introduce bill further To
suspend the operation OF certain provsos
and amend the several acts imposing duties ON impos of
1884 which was read twice, and referred the Commit
tee on Finance.
On motion of Mr.. Clayton the Senate proceeded 70
consider the bill in amendment of the acts for the punish
ment OF offences against the u. States.
Mr. Clayton explained that this bill related to offences
on board ships the high seas The law as IL nov,
stood punished revolt with death but the mode was moi
Sufficiently defined The courts had given a consruc-
on which had grown into practice, but il was houpht
pest that the punishment should be defined by
Another object of the bill was 20 change the nature
OF the punishment The penalty of death was con-
sidered TO be too severe In consequence of its Sc.
verify, criminals frequently escaped any punishment
Whatever Another punishment was provided by This
bill The penalty specified was nprisonm mont md hard
labor Tor term not exceeding three years. Perhaps this
was too short period He proposed amend the bill
Dy striking out "tree and inserting "ten" so as TO
leave tito the discretion Of the to proportion tho
punishment to the aggravaon Of the offence from six
months to ten years. The amendment was agreed to-
Other amendments made.
Atter'somc remarks from Mr.. Shepley, who moved
an amendment which negativcd, the bill was re-.
ported to the Senate the amendments were concrcd in
ana Inc bill was ordered 10 be engrossed for third read
On motion Of MIR. Naudain, the Senate proceeded TO
consider the bill for the relief of Charles J. Catlett
ne bill led to discussion in which Mr.. Naudain Mr.
22hePey, ara Mr. Frellnghuysen, opposed, and Mr..
Ewing, Mr.. Tyler MIR. Poindcxter, Mr. Goldsborough,
and Mr. Kent supported it. I'm amendment moved Nv
MI frelinghuyscn, was ncgotiyed.
The yeas and nays then ordered on the enorose
ment OF the bill, and the question being taken, il was
decided follows:
Ieas--blessTs. Bib, Clay Cuthbcrt Ewinp. Colds.
borough Grundy, Kane, Kent, King of Alabama. Linn
Mexican, Mangnm, Moore, Pondexter Porter Robfins
Smith Southland, Tyler, Wuggaman, Webster, Whilc-g2
Noys-Mcssrs. bell, Benton, Black. Brown. Bucban
an, Calhoun, Clayton, Frcughuysen Hendricks Hnl
King of Georgia, Knight, Morris, Nandain, Prentiss
Preston, huggles, Sbcpley, Swim, Talmadge Upton
Tomlinson, Wright-23
So the bill was rei6cied.
sPEcIAL ORDER
The Senate resumed the consideration Of hc bill 10 re-
peal the FIRST and second sections Of the act TO limit tc
term Of office of certain officers therein named now at
It's third reading
Mr. Grnndy resumed and concluded his remarks in
opposition to the bill
Mr. bibb made some remarks in explanation Of state.
menis made by the Senator from Tennessee
Mr. Clayton also corrected some Of the statements of
The Senator.
Mr. Cuthbcrt and Mr.. Clayton made few remarks.
Mr. Poindexicr then expressed an intention TO make
some remarks If The Senate should be disposed 10 con
tinue tic debate Tomorrow
On motonof Mr. Calhoun, the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
MIR CHM presented certain resolutions Of the Leg.
saue Of Virginia IN relation 70 Revolutionary Claims