The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-12-15
Tmentg=S Congress.
SECOND SESSION.
IN SENATE.
MONDAY, December "A, 1910

EXECUTIVE DOCUMENTS.
The President pro tenn laid before the Senate a.
number OF communications, containing statements of
the contingent expenses of the different executive de-
partmcnts
Ordered to lie on the table and be printed
Petitions were presented by Messrs Webster Clay,
Mefick, White and Wright.
BANKS or THE DISTRICT COLUMBIA.
Mr. MERRlCK presented petition from the
banks of the District Of Columbia praying for con-
tnuation of their banking powers.
BANKRUPT LAW.
Mr. WRIGHT presented memorial of citizens of
New York, praying for the passage Of Uniform
Bankrupt Law.
inquiry RESPECTING THE PUBLIC LANDS.
Mr., CLAY of Kentucky said that as Senator
from Alabama had given notice of intention to
bring in bill which he Mr. c. Of Ky.) must desig-
nate bill TO reduce the price Of the public lands he
wanted to obtain officially some information whish
would have an important bearing the policy pro-
posed More than twelve years ago the different land
officers had been called upon for very minute nforma
ton respecting the lands which remained at that time
unsold within their respective districts. These land
officers reported accordingly and he wished now to
compare the actual state of things with their reports
he wished to ascertain how much land had been sold
since that periodthe character of that which remain
ed unsed-ts value &c. sc. He accordingly offered
resolution calling the Secretary of the Treasury
for the information alluded to-
No objection being made, the resolution ordered
to be printed, and lie over one day.
GRADUATION BILL.
Mr.. CLAY, of Alabama then introduced the bill
to which the Kentucky Senator had acknowledging a
bill TO graduate the price of the public ands-and
his motion it referred to the Committee on FL
nance.
REPEAL OF THE suB-TREAsuRY ACT.
Mr.. CLAY, of Kentucky, introduced resolution,
declaring that the act known the sub Treasury act
ought to he repealed and nstructng the Committee
Finance to report bill for that purpose
BILLS INTRODUCED AND REPORTED
The bills of which notice had been given Thurs
day were successfully introduced They were chiefly
of private or local nature.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Mr. WRIGHT moved to refer to the Committee on
Finance nuch of the Presidents Message
laes to the finances of the country.
Mr.. WEBSTER said that the portion alluded to
was highly important; and gentlemen who differed
from the Presidents would perhaps desire to
press their sentiments. For his own part, it would
he agreeable to him to deliver his opinions then
as at any time-but a document closely connected
with that branch of the Message-the Report on the
Finances from the Treasury Department-had just
been laid the table Senators might wish TO examine
before the discussion and he therefore would pre-
fer to have the motion for reference postponed till
Wednesday
MIR. WRIGHT declined TO withdraw his motion ;
and submitted the question to the Senate.
Mr.. WEBS TER said all he wished to have the
message properly before the Senate when the discus
sion should be commenced and therefore he moved
to postpone the further consideration Of Mr. Wrght's
motion till Wednesday. This was corried-Ayes 20,
Noes 10.
On motion of Mr. WRIGHT, the Report of the
Secretary of the Treasury then referred to the
Committee of Finance
The different parts of the Presidents Message
then taken up and referred to the proper Standing
Commttecs-exceptng the portion relating to the
finances