The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-05-12
TMfmtp=&frth Congress.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
FRipAY Nav

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
FRiDAY May 8
Almost Immediately after the reading of the Jour
nal, the Honse, motion of Mr. ADAMS, ~,n,
again into Committee of the Whole (Mr BELL in
the chair) the bill :" to the more faithful
execution Of the laws relating TO the collection of du
ties imports"
And the question being on a motion Of Mr.. RHErr
Of South Carolina to strike out the enacting clause Of
the bill
Mr. ADAMS resisted that motion, and contended
that il there were defects in the BILL they ought BE-
amended, but that the bill itself being for impo
tant and legitimate object ought not 70 be destroyed
He noticed, incidentally, some of Mr.. RHETrs general
objections; reserving those which applied to parcu
lar sections Of the BILL until those sections should be
reached in the regular course of the discussion A
full report of Mr. AS remarks, well as Of the in
teresting debate which followed in the course of pre-
paraton, and will be given in due time
Mr.. A. then proposed that before taking any ques-
ton on the motion Of Mr.. RHErT, which went to de-
sroy the BILL it should be read by sections for amend
ment.
Mr.. DAVIS, of Indiana inquired whether the
bill had been reported with the unanimous OF
the Committee on Manufactures
Mr.. ADAMS replied that objections had been
made in the committee; though, of course the mem
beers Of the committee might, possibly have different
views to some of its det1ils.
Mr.. DAVIS then quoted an article from the New
York Express, in which the bill was very severely
handled
Mr. hDhMo balO tndt the new IOrk papers
abounded with similar articles and also with some on
the other side II easy to understand that those
Interested in the evils be corrected by the bill could
find ways and means of filling the papers with arti-
cles intended to create prejudice against il.
Mr. SERGEANT next rose and recapitulated the
entire Of previous legislation with view 10
enforce the collection Of duties and made an arru
ment TO show that the bill ought to be des,royed,
hut perfected as some further provision to effect It's
purpose was greatly needed. He admitted, however
that the best of all provisions would be to appoint
competent and faithful officers to execute the
laws.
Mr. TILLINGHAsT replied to the inquiry Of
Mr.. Davis stating that the members Of the Commit
tee on Manufactures had all concurred in the prnci
Piles Of the BILL though they did not all perfectly agree
as to some Of its details He added a few words in
reply to Mr.. Rhetts objections to the bill.
Mr. RHETT responded, and Mr.. TlLLlNG-
HAST rejoined, and further explained.
Mr. RHETT then went into some general re
marks in favor of free trade and low tariff and
cluded by Withdrawing his motion TO strike out the
enacting clause of the bill and in lieu thereof moved
that the committee rise and report the bill to the
House, with the understanding that it should then be
recommended to the Committee Manufactures to
be by them remodelled
Mr. SERGEANT, although not approving every
better TO discuss any amendments which should
he proposed.
Mr. ADAMS also opposed the motion to rise Ii
the committee to remodel the BILL let them first
oDJeCtlOnS 10 AS 10 those advanced by
the gentleman from South Carolina, if there were
formidable, he should not think of making
any alteration in the bill.
Mr. RHETT then put his motion in this form
That the committee rise with view to motion that
the Committee Of the Whole on the state OF the
Union be discharged from the further consideration Of
the bill and that il be re-committed to the Committee
on Manufactures.
Mr. ADAMS expressed an earnest hope that the
motion would not be agreed to.
The question was then taken on the motion TO rise
and the vote stood ayes 81, noes 62
a So the committee refused to rise but quorum
voted
And the committee then rose and the Chairman
without quorum.
Mr.. Adams moved call of the House. which
ton having prevailed,
The Clerk called the roll and 80 members answer
And the names of the absentecs having been call
ed over, l07 members appeared to be present The
doors Of the Hall were then closed Several excuses
were received After which, quorum being present
all further proceedings on the call were motion Of
Mr. ADAMS, suspended
And the House again went into committee and
proceeded, section by section, to the consideration u
the bill.
A number of amendments none Of them eliciiing
any discussion beyond mere explanations except IS
hereinafter mentioned proposed and agreed to-
but ms it is impossible for them toJbe understood with
out inserting the provisions of the bill ITSELF they
reserved TO future occasion.
motion was made by Mr. RHErr to strike out thc
18th section; which motion was negatived
MIR. CURTIS moved TO strike from the 9th section
the words which provide for the exemption of the Y
States from any stipulation to costs.
This amendment gave rise to debate, and the
question was not taken when, on motion of Mr. ia
BERSHAM, the committee rose and reported pro
gress
Mr.. ADAMS moved to make the bill the special
order FOL tomorrow; on which motion quorum
voted
Whcreupon the House adjourned.