The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-02-26

Inc ioO"us nio"oiiais anu PctiiouS, Ne. were
BY Mr.. ROBINSON; From The Legislature Of
Illinois, instTucing their Senators against voting Tor
the adoption OF the Sub treasury sysiem also from
the same source, asking that they use their inhu-
ence to have the Constitution so amended 10 re-
strict, aer the year 1885, the Presidential term to
four years
BY Mr.. WRIGHT: From citizens Of Erie county,
New York, asking that wheat may be imported from
Canada free OF duty, In order that Il might De man
ufactured into -four and exported; also, from w
Dickinson.
REPORTS or COMMITTEES.
Mr. BENTON, from the Committee on Military
Affairs reported bill for the erection Of certain
military works on the Northeastern boundary.
Mr.. WALL, from the Committee on the Judi
ciary, reported The House bill to incorporate the
Washington Manual Labor Society.
Mr. TALLMADGE, from The Committee on
Naval Affairs, made report on the memorial Of
John Hall Sherwood, In relation to the electro-nsg
netic needle.
The following bills were then taken up aud or
dered TO be engrossed for a third reading:
The bill to grant 10 the Stale OF Indiana guam
tty Of land for the purpose Of aiding in the con-
struction Of a railroad from New Albany TO Mount
Carmel, in the State of Illinois.
The bill 10 fix the minimum price Of lands ac-
quired by the Miami treaty of November 6, 1888.
The bill for the relief Of Samuel Collins.
And the bill from the House for the erection of a
Jail in the City OF Washington.
On motion Of Mr.. DAVIS, the Secretary OF the
Treasury was directed TO report to the Senate such
information as he may possess as 10 the following
l. The amount Of coin made at the mint and the
amount at each of its branches for year prece-
ding the first day OF February last.
q The amount of bullion deposited at, or Obtained
for, each establishment for the same time.
3. The expense incurred in carrying on and in
sustaining each establishment during the same time
The bill for the protection of citizens of the Uni
ted States residing in Oregon and trading on the Co
lumbia river and its tributaries was taken up and,
alter being explained by Mr.. LINN at some length,
and some further discussion between Messrs. Sc
WEIR, NILES, and WRIGHT, it was passed over
informally.
When The Senate adjourned
SATURDAY, Feb. %.
Mr. KING presented memorial of citizens of
Key Vaccas asking that Indian Key may not be
made port of entry until further investigation.
After the presentation OF numerous private petit
tons, and sundry reports on private bills, and the
passage OF several, the Senate took up the bill 10
provide for the security and protection OF emigrant
Indians west Of the States of Missouri and Arkan-
sas which after being advocated by Messrs Sewer,
Linn and White, and opposed by Mr.. Allen, was or
dered TO be engrossed for third reading.
BOARD OF CLAIMS.
The Senate proceeded to consider the bill to es-
tablish Board Of Claims TO hear and examine
claims against the United States
Mr.. BAYARD stated that the main object of the
bill was TO relieve the committees Of Congress from
the extreme labor to which they were now subjected
in the examination of claims; TO get rid OF the great
liability Of fraud arising from the fact Of there now
being regular calendar register of these claims
and Of what has been done upon them; to avoid the
return OF the same claims again and again to Con-
gress, at intervals OF 10, 20, and 40 years. These
-ofsx ;ntar 4 pScI hv
the bill that the commission established under il
should examine the claims, digest the evidence, and
report the whole TO Congress- together with their
opinions. In this way there would be systematic ac-
tion the subject the labors of the commissioners
would be light, and their experience, obtained by
the regular and permanently continued course Of
their action, would give this system very great ad-
vantages over the present.
But Mr.. b. urged that this board itself should ex-
anime in behalf OF the United States well as OF the
claimants themselves, and he therefore moved an
amendment to this effect, with view afterwards to
strike out the provision for special attorney in be-
half of the United States
Mr.. HUBBARD expressed the hope that the
amendment would be agreed to, and that the bill in
other respects well this would be made to agree
precisely with the bill which passed the Senate at
the last session.
Mr. WALL opposed the amendment. It was
made the duty Of the commission to examine the
evidence which would be placed before him. As
matters now stood, this evidence would be wholly
therefore, to be special officer to collect evidence
in behalf the United States .".
Mr.. BAYARD observed, that If the Senator had
been attending he would have perceived that the
very object of Mr. B. s amendment was to provide
for the collection and examination of evidence in be-
half of the United States, and to make this the duty
of the commissioners themselves, instead Of a spe-
cial officer. The only question, therefore, between
The Senator and Mr. B; was, BY whom should this
special attorney? Besides the bill already provided
for secretary or clerk, who might afford the same
aid to the board which it would be necessary to be
performed BY an attorney, if provided for.
Mr. SEWER argued at some length against the
whole bill, as the extraordinary that had ever
been introduced in Congress. proposed to create
newdepartment ofthe Government, with greater pow
ers than any other being authorized send any part
Of the United States for evidence on claim Of $50
and, after all, 1t would amount to nothing, because
Congress would, after all re-examine the claims, do
with them as they pleased, and any claim might
hereafter at any time, be revived.
Mr.. HUBBARD earnestly advocated the bill,
urging that under the present system, the evidence
was all ex parte and consequently great many
claims are allowed which had no just foundation
whatever.
Mr.. WALL argued that these commissioners must
act as judges; and therefore, if they also acted as
attorneys for the United States their decisions could
command no respect There ought therefore, to be
special attorney for the United States, to take
part such as attorneys do in all other judicial cases.
AlleT soine conversation py MT. WALL anu MT.
SEWER, chiefly on the propriety of having the
commissioners act both as judges, without making
final decision and as solicitors or attorneys in behalf
of the United States.
Mr. PRENTlSS said when he introduced the bill
at the last session, he had in it provision for a
special solicitor in behalf of the United States. But
it then stricken out, and it a matter OF in
difference to him whether il should now be in the
bill not, the main purpose of the bill would be
answered either with or without ii.
Mr. P. proceeded to argue that the bill was one of
vast importance, on account of the great inconveni-
ences and necessary defects of the present system
The number Of claims were great, 5000, and the
amount of these claims was exceedingly great
They were besides never likely to be disposed of in
the present way Some of them had already been
before Congress ten, fifteen and twenty years and Il
1v -.