The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-05-27
CORRESPONDENTS.
HARRISBURG, Saturday, May %.

The Senate, to-day, took up and adopted the
Joint resolutions submitted several days since
by the talented senator from the county of Cum
berland, (dr Penrose,) setting forth that Con
gress are called upon by the obligations of hui
mainly, as well as Of sound policy, to establish
Accompanying the resolution is preamble,
which recites that Congress has the power to
establish &c uniform laws on the subject of Bank
ruptcies throughout the United States" a power
which cannot be exercised by the States respec-
lively; and also alleges that the misfortunes
and disasters which have for several years pre-
vailed in country, have overwhelmed in ruin
thousands, who without fault on their part, are
reduced to penury, and left to struggle in hope
less misery beneath Ethe burden of debts, which
cannot be paid, and from which under existing
laws, they can never be relieved, although they
may have honestly surrendered all their property,
&c. Mr.. Penrose remarked that resolutionson the
subject had been unanimously adopted by eight
States of the Union, and that it had been ascer-
tanned that 100000 persons were in a situation
which required the passage of law in favor of
voluntary bankruptcy. The resolution was
adopted by vote of Is to 5.
The House has been closely engaged the great
er part of this week in discussing the items of
the Improvement bill, and for which the Legis-
lature was specially convened No great pro-
gress has been made in settling them, owing to
the vast difference of opinion which prevails
among the members, arising from local feeling,
RAT han
only which is calculated to enhance the prospe-
rity and welfare Of the State at large. The appri-
priations already made are, however, moderate
in amount, as trust all the rest will be, consi-
dering that the Commonwealth is so much in
debt
An attempt was made this morning to intro
duce into the bill an amendment, appropriating
S4OO,OOO to the Union canal, which, after some
debate, was rejected by large majority. An
effort was also made, and think most Just and
laudable one, to obtain the adoption of an amend
ment proposing the payment of interest on the
debts due to contractors and others, for labor
done, in most instances, upward of twelve months
since, but it was rejected The amendment
which had been under discussion, and was pend
ing when the House adjourned was, ITO revive
the Tax bill of 1881, viz.-To lay tax of one
mill in the dollar on real estate and two on per-
sonal property Great diversity of opinion exists
as to the policy and propriety Of incorporating
Tax bill in connection with the Improvement
bill-some contending that it ought to be a'sepa
rate and distinct matter, whilst others maintain
that it should not, because the Improvement bill
would at once show, hereafter, why and how it
came to pass, that tax had been imposed on the
people, viz.:-To pay the interest on the State
debt have no doubt that there is majority in
both branches in favor Of, and will vote for, a
State tax It is indispensable to the prosperity
and honor Of the Commonwealth, at this parti-
cular juncture Of its affairs
The case Of the Commonwealth vs Prigg,
came before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania,