Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-12-26
TWENTY-FIVE CONGRESS.
THIRD SESSION,

containing report from the fifth auditor
OF the Treasury, relating to light houses
&c; also report from the War Depart
ment in relation to the Pension Office,
Mr.. Wall presented n remonstrance from
the line officers of the Army, against the
distinction made by he late law of Con-
gress between officers Of the line and Off
GERS Of the staff, and praying that the pay
of the two divisions be made equal, Mr..
Benton from the Committee Of Finance,
to whom was referred the bill TO gradu.
ate and reduce the price of the public
lands, made report, stating TINT they had
applied to the Treasury Department for
information as to the probable financial
effect Of the measure and had been told
that the tendency Of this bill for several
years, would be materially TO increase
the revenue from the public lands, in
which opinion the committee eoncurred.
They further stated, that according to the
estimates Of the Department, the operation
Of the compromise act on the Tariff would
reduce the revenue from customs by the
year 1912, when it would have arrived
at its minimum effect, to ton or twelve
millions and it would, therefore, BIZ very
desirable that the income from the pub.
lie lands should be large, in order 10 meet
the deficiency. The report exhibited va
rious statistical accounts and estimates,
chiefly for the purpose of establishing
their positions. The committee conclude
with an earnest recommendation of the
passage ofthe bill, as eminentIy beneficial
to the Treasury, and coming at this time
most seasonably to It's aid +; and also, as
being Indirectly advantageous in high
degree, by bringing under immediate cul-
ovation, many acres which now lie waste
and subjccting them to taxation as private
property.
The report was accompanied with a
communication from the Secretary Of the
Treasury on the subject, containing re-
commentators to the same effect.
Mr.. Hubbard, Of New Hampshire, mo-
we'd that ten thousand additional copies OF
the Report, and The Secretary's letter be
printed for distribution.
The Bill to amend the act in relation
to copyrights, WAS, on melton of Mr..
Clay OF Ky, referred to the committee on
the judiciary. On motion of Mr.. Clay
Of Alabama, the committee on Public
Lands were instructed TO enquire into the |
expediency Of disseminating the office of |
Surveyor General in the several States
embracing the public lands MS soon as the
urveys plats &c. can be completed, and
llso of abolshing land districts in which
he lands have been sold, or in which the
ales have become inadequate to deiiay
he expenses. The Senate then resumed
he consideration ofthe bill for postponing
he fourth instalment of the surplus Rev.
nue-the question being on the motion
{ Mr.. Clay, to limit the postponement
III lS40, so as not to destroy the bill as
'ould be the case as j, now stands.
Some debate ensued between Mr.. Pres
on, and Brown, after which the vote was
AIKEN, and Mr.. Clay's motion was mega
lived by II ayes, and 20 noes. The Bill
vas then engrossed for third reading
he Bill was making appropriations for the
Cumberland road in the States Of Indiana |
was made the order ofthe dav !
Tor the 10th inst, soon after which the |
Senate went INTO an Executive Session
and adjourned.
In the House, Mr.. Fry, offered a res
olution, calling upon the President to in
form the House whether the Governor of
Pennsylvania has called upon The Execu.
tive, since, the commencement of the pres
ent session of Congress for an armed force,
and whether any arms or munitions Of
war have been furnished by the General
Government to any of the troops lately
ordered out by the Executive of that
State. This resolution caused n debate
which lasted nearly all day, and was in
substance, after being modified, adopted.
a petition was presented by Mr.. Reed
praying that diplomatic and commercial
relations might be established with the
government of Hayti, The question of re-
ception was debated by Mr.. Adams and
Mr.. Wise Till late hour, and the House
adjourned without coming to any decis-
ion.
DEC. 1S.-The Chair presented let.
ter from the Secretary Of the Treasury.
accompanied by report from the Com.
missioner Of the Land Office, in relation
to the operations Of said Office for the
years 1878, which was laid on the IN.
BILE and ordered to be printed. Mr.. Buch.
anan presented petition from John p.
EsPy, setting forth thai the petitioner had
discovered the means of producing rain
IN certain tracts of country, and proposed
making the experiment at his own ex
pense, provided that Congress would grant
him premium if he succeeded-lald on
the table. The bill from the House, ma.
king partial appropriations for 1889,
was reported to the Senate and nm ,p,apd