The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-02-12


Mr. SHIELDS said thai, ID seemed TO him that tho
House had already disposed Of - much private BUSH
ness a. could be acted upon In the other branch Of
Congress- during the present session. he would ask
this House TO take up and dispose Of the public BUSH
meas the Speakers table.
Objection having been made Mr. g. moved suspen-
sion Of the rule.
Mr. LOOMS suggested 10 Mr. s. so to modify his
motion a. 10 make the suspension Of tho rule general
for the present session. that the House should attend
10 public business alone.
This modification not having been acceded to- the
question taken, and tho House refused TO suspend
the rule
MIR. McKENNAN stated tina, as Monday next
was SET apart for the consideration Of Territorial
business, he would ask leave to make report con-
necied herewith.
Objection being made on MIR. KS motion, the
rules were suspended, and he reported, from the
Committee on Roads and Canals bill to aulho-
rize the construction Of certain improvements in
the Territory OF Wisconsin and for other purposes
Mr.. ADAMS, from the Committee on Manu-
factures reported, with an amendment Senate bill
to authorize the Secretary Of the Treasury to ex-
tend the time for the payment OF the duties upon GER
tain bonds given by the Alabama, Florida, and
Georgia Railroad Company for the duties upon
quantity Of railroad iron imported by the said COM
pany, and for the laying OF the said iron upon rail-
roads.
Mr.. LINCOLN, on leave, laid on the table an
amendment 10 the bill reported yesterday from the
Committee ON the Public Lands for the relief OF the
above company, giving notice that he should move
il when the bill came up, and the same was ordered
Mr.. BRONSON, from the Committee on the Ter.
ritorcs, laid before the House communication
from Mr. Doy, delegates from Wisconsin, setting
forth the proprisiy OF authorizing the Territorial
Legislature to establish system Of internal improve
ments
Mr.. JONES, Of New York, from the Committee
on the Territories, reported bill granting to the
judges of the Supreme Court Of lowathe same COM
pensation as by law is given to the judges OF the
Supreme Court OF Wisconsin.
MIR. DOTY, of Wisconsin, on unanimous leave,
laid on the table substitute he proposed to move to
of the bills in relation 10 that Terrory and 1t
was ordered TO be printed.
number Of Senate bills on the Speakers table
were taken up on their first and second reading
and were appropriately referred.
The Senate bill for the establishment of pension
agency al Montpelier, Vermont, coming up on its
| first and second reading.
| Mr.. FLETCHER, Of Vermont, moved that II be
engrossed for third reading.
Mr.. II ALLEN moved its commitment to the
Committee on Revolutionary Pensions; which mo-
ton, after some remarks from Messrs. FETCH
Err, Of Vermont, ALLEN, and EVERETT, was
agreed to-
On motion of Mr.. DOWNING, the bill for the
establishment of certain ports OF entry in the Terri
tory OF Florida was recommilted TO the Committee
on Commerce.
Pursuant TO notice heretofore given by him,
Mr.. UNDERWOOD moved that the House take
up and consider the following Joint resolution from
the select committee raised on that subject:
!" Resoiredby The Senate and House Of Representa-
tires Of The United Siates Of america IN Congress
assembled That the President be- and he is hereby re-
quested to present to James Rumsey, jr the son and
only child Of James Rumsey, deceased, suitable gold
medal, commemorative Of his fathers services and high
agency in giving to the world the benefits Of the steam
boat"
Which motion was agreed to.
And the said Joint resolution being under conside-
ration Mr.. RUMSEY, Of Kentucky, addressed the
House for an hour and half 10 favor Of its object
After which, the resolution, by unanimous vote,
was ordered to third reading thisday.
The unfinished business Of yesterday was the bill
to provide for the settlement Of the claims OF George
Fisher; the pending question being on the motion Of
Mr.. Petrken to recommit the bill to the COMMITTEE
of Claims.
Some debate followed, in which Messrs CAMP
BELL, of South Carolina CHAMBERS, DOWN
ING, BELL, MERCER, and GLASCOCK par
ticipated when
Mr. CHAMBERS moved to lay the bill on the
table, which motion was carried: Ayes SO, noes not
! counted. ..~ W."
| Mr. DOWNING wished the bill rccommit,ed.
| Mr.. UNDERWOOD.moved reconsideration,
with view to that object, but it was lost.
Mr.. SIBLEY urged the taking up Of those bills
on the Speakers table on which there would be no
debate Gas had been agreed to in regard to the gene
raj calendar. u.. ~~..... ....- ~. .:
Mr. CRAIG objected, and the motion was no,
| pressed wi. .t@. ....
The House thereupnn proceeded with the bills in
order and took up the bill for the relief of Bates &
Lacon, which was a case Of overcharge by the col
lector of New York; the claimants ask to be reim-
oursed their expenses in prosecuting their claim by
law.
| Mr.. CHAMBERS took the occasion OF referring
10 the practice of collectors retaining in their own
hands an amount sufficient TO meet suits against
them for disputed charges of duties; and stated that
according to Information entitled to credit the pre-
sent collector Of New York held now in his hands
more than million of dollars thus circumstance,
| called he nf Mr. Gam ral he
| fact
Mr. CAMBRELENG admitted that the collector
had, point OF law, such sum at his diSposal but
that, by an understanding with the Treasury the
| Secretary was allowed to overdraw to the whole
amount; SO that in point of fact, the money did not
remain in the hands of the collector but to the
| Treasury.
| Mr.. CHAMBERS thought this sort Of legerde-
main was very Objectionable and inquired whether
the Committee of Ways and Means had prepared
any bill to meet and remedy the evil. r.
| Mr. CAMBRELENG reminded him that the Sub
treasury bill contained clause to remedy this evil
and prevent its future recurrence He admitted that
the collector might reimburse himself for the amount
overdrawn BY the Treasury, and also, that the late
collector, Mr.. Swartwout had availed himself of
the practice objected to- and had thus succeeded in
abduchng large part Of the money he carried off
lie explained how certain decisions of the Supreme
Court mad operated TO reduce the amount of duties
on certain kinds of goods, and quoted hosiery
| instance. st...#
Mr.: CHAMBERS though the Subtreasury bill
remedy worse than the disease. 1t might save one
leg, while it cut of three He further inquired
whether Mr. G. had reported any bill to meet this
case.
| Mr.. CAMBRELENG said that the committee had
been much engaged with the appropriation bills,an
had left il to the Senate, where the tariff of 1888 or
iginated, and who would, of course, be the best
| Judges OF the true intent Of their own act.
Mr.. CHAMBERS warmly demonstrated against
this, as neglect of duty on the part of committee
specially charged with the guardianship of the
| Treasury
After further remarks from Mr. PETRIKEN and
Mr. CAMBRELENG-
! Mr.. CALHOON, Of Kentucky demanded the
previous question, which was seconded, put, and