The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-05-20
Doings in Congress.

N
, ler places. denopncing the suspession ef pay
I ment by the banks Of the District Of Columbia
a. a gross and pslpable violation Of their char
tiers, and praying Congress to compel them TO
resume, or to settle up their business. A con
siderable number Of private bills we're acted up
on one for the relief Of Hannah Leie hton, oc-
casioned a very animated discussion, which oc-
cupied the greatest part Of the day, and result
ed IN its final passage.
In the House, Mr.. Jenifsr moved memorial
from the Tobacco Convention which recently
met in Washington, and which was ordered to
be printed. A great number Of gentlemen made
strenuous efforts to get in resolutions and Pc
iitions but the house. on motion Of Mr.. Adams,
went again ints committee Of the whole on the
state Of the Union. (Mr. Bell. Of Tennessee, in
the chair.) and resumed the consideration OF
the bill 10 present frauds in the collection Of
the revenue. A debate followed. sundry ameud-
ments were proposed, most Of which were re-
Jec'ed; aud. at a quarter past s'clsck, the
bill was reported TO the House.
In the Senate, on Tuesday. the contest upon
the general bankrupt law was fairly opened. The
bill reported by Mr. Clayton from a majority OF
the committee included ouly cases Of voluntary
bankruptcy. Mr.. Wall offered a substitute for
the whole bill. including no, only Involuntary
bsnkrupts. but also corporations. In sustaining
his substitute, he insisted that the orisinul bill
from the committee was partial, unr oustitution-
al, contrary 10 the wishes Of petitioners and the
country, solemn mockeTy TO bankrupts. and
could not, under any circumstances, be sane
toned by majority of either House OF Con-
gress.
Mr.. Clayton having aequiesced in some Of
the provisions and principles Of The substitute.
directed his opposition only TO that part Of il
which extended TO corporations.
The debate was continued through the day.
Mr.. Crrteudsn had the floor at the time Of ad-
tournament.
In the House, several memorials and Tesou-
lions were offered, alter which the bill 10 refer
ence to the collection of duties on imports was
taken up. Ii was debated at grear length, sew
ersl amendments offered aud rejected. aud the
bill finally ordered to third reading and passed
. by vote Of l22 to 30.
= In the SENATE, on "Wednesday, tho consid
sfaIon OF The Bankrupt Bill was resumed, and
I Mr. Crluenden made speech ia defence oil it,
' and in opposition to Mr.. Walls substitute
Mr. Wall followed in reply. Areport Was made
by the committee on public lands, aud 20, 900
, copies were ordered TO be printed after which
the Senate Adjourned
In the House., the subject Of the public print
ing was taken up and debated to a late hour,
on a proposition To reduce the prices OF printing,
and to separate the printing OF Congress from
the public press
I 10 the Senate on Thursday, several petitions
were presented, after which The Bankrupt Bill
was further debated by Messrs Henderson, who
opposed the substitute, Mr.. Wall. who defend
ed IL, and MIR. Crlttsndsn, who replied TO Mr..
Wall. Before taking any question the Senate
adjourned.
! In the House, the Speaker anounced as the
special order. the report oi the Select Commit
tee on the subject OF the disorder add personal
violence, which occurred in the House. between
Mr.. Rice Garland and Mr.. J. A. Bynum, on
the 2lst ut. Mr.. Underwood, Chairman OF
the Committee, offered resolutions defining
what shall constitute a breach Of privilege. a
breach OF decorum, on the part OF a member.
aud prescribing the punishment for il, IL wss
objected TO the resolution, that the Committee
had right under their instructions, to pro-
pose any Ihlng. Their functions wele hunted
to a statement OF the facts. The Speaker de-
oided that the Resolutions we're in order. but
the House reversed the decision. After sever
al Intellectual attempts to lay the SUBJECT the
table, Mr.. Holmes vi :. &. offered resolution,
- ~ II
fighting in the House, had committed a gross
breach OF its dignity, aud that the House oug ht
to expsl them from their seats.
Thus was bold and rather unexpected move
ncnt and coming as 1t did, from 50 respectable
quarter, u.prodaced qaite n sensation,
Mr.. Chinn sf La, wished to divide The ques-
tiou. Mr.. Jenniter advocated the molIun. lie
considered II due 10 The character Of the House
TO mset tins question boldly, and act promptly.
IL VIC lacked courage TO take this step, We
should be laughing stock Of the county
This Was the oaiy way TO meet the ease aud
prevent similar suiragrs iu iuture. He would
not stop TO enquire which party gave the first
: blow. The party that took redress into his ow II
hands. instead Of relying upsu the House Tor
protection, was equally lpsble with the other.
Mr.. Profit expressed hIs surprise at whs,
= had iaea from the gentleman trsm Mary land.
lie could not vote to eapel either OF the parties
This was not the fist time that blows had been
struck on this door; aud nothing bad beea d.as
heretofore, in the matter. From the beginning
o ct this session. the House had been IN a state
OF disorder which had led to this oeeurrene e,
aud both parties were TO blame Tor Il.
Mr.. Crsig moved to amend the resolution n
d 50 as TO refer II to aselsct COMMITTEES to inquire
q and report what punishin,o OF the par,is. uvssrs-
/, ed.
). Mr. Briggs moved TO amend the amendment
!. by declaring that the parties. bad been guilty o
# breach oI Privilege si the House.
i aiotlsn to lay the whole subject on the Ia
e bic. was lost Yeas IS, Nays los.
Mr.. Petriken moved an indefinite postpone
J meni Vi the whole subject.