The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-12-31
gmemtp firth Congress.
SECOND SESSION.
IN SENATE.
WEDNEsDAY, Dec. 80, 1870.
COMMISSIONERS or CLAIMS.

COMMISSIONERS or CLAIMS
The Bill to establish Board Of Commissioners Ia
examine and decide upon claims against the United
States was taken up; and, having been read a third
time, and the question being on its passage
Mr.. CALHOUN rose, and assaiIed the measure as
one Of The most perncious character. lie had, how
ever, often expressed his views on the subject and
only desired to record his against the princ
pies Of the bill. lie asked for the ayes and noes,
Mr.. MANGUM had an earnest desire to give more
careful examination To the 1t to change
the fundamental policy of the Government in regard
to claims against the United States and he hoped The
Senate would to let the bill lie on the table foI
short time that the members who have only re,
Gently taken their seats might have opportunity Of
examining it
| Mr. HUBBARD expressed his assent TO the pro
position but urged the necessity Of early and favor
able action the bill II il should be passed as il
had been reported it would greatly relieve the Business
Of Congress
| Mr.. HENDERSON objected to the bill on the ge-
neral grounds Of its comforting too large discretion
upon the Board and not being well calculated to
effect any benefit to the claimants.
Mr.. LINZ made an earnest and animated appeal to
the Senate in favor ofthe measure He was surprised
that the Senator from South Carolina in opposing it,
had not presented some substitute for certainly the
system pursued by Congress in reference to these
claims as bad as possible.
| Mr. CALHOUN said that the Land Bill he had
introduced would be a substitute in some respects
for it would lid Congress of the largest class Of claims
and hand them to the States. He then spoke
/ strn no Ca
discretion and power on the commissioners
| Mr. HUBBARD said he had heard the arguments
of he Senator from South Carolina over and over
again every session since the bill first introduced
and yet the bill had been passed three times by tn,
Senate.
Mr. SEWER, of Arkansas, assailed the bill with
great yehemence. He regarded it as in fact, superse
ding every department of the government; and if il
should pass, Congress might well be abolished, Il
would be only useless body, not worth keeping up
/ After some further conversation, in which Mr.
HUNTINGDON expressed his concurrence in the
general wish for time consider the character Of the
BILL il was ordered to lie on the table for the present
DUTIES ON SALT.
Mr.. BENTON gave notice that he would, on an
early day, when the Senate should be full intro
duce again his bill to repeal the duties on salt.
UNIFORM BANKRUPT BILL.
Mr.. CRITTENDEN, from the Committee on the
Judiciary reported bill establishing Uniform Bank
rupt System throughout the United States.
Mr.. CRITTENDEN took occasion to say that in
all important features, it exact copy Of the
bill which passed the Senate at the last session There
some slight alterations; but these not ma
teria and did not affect the principle ofhe
On motion, it was made the special order fol
Thursday next
REVENUE SERVICE.
The bill to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury
TO procure steam vessels for the revenue service
finally passed. and sent to the House for concur
renee.