Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1840-12-31
Tmrmtp=&lrttD Congress.

were reported ana ouIioei Pie'""''J
reported and considered, were passed 10
be engrossed. Among the latter was a
bill supplementary TO the Act to abolish
inprisonmen for debt, which provides
that the aforesaid Act
"shuIl be 80 construed as to abolish
Imprisonment for debt, on process 'ssu-
ing cut of any court OF the Un'ted
States, in all cases whatever where, by
the laws of any State, imprisonment Tor
debt has been, or shall hereafter be apol-
ishcd.o
The Senate held short Executive
session, and then ndjourned.
IN THE House., the Speaker present.
ed several communications from some
of the executive departments.
A discussion arose on the subject OF
paying witnesses in cases Of contested
elections, and the following resolution
was adopted:
Resoircd, That the Committee on Ac-
counts be instructed TO report by what
authority they authorised the Clerk OF
this House to pay the sum Of s., lGO %
to G. J. Ingersoll and others for taking
testimony, and for other expenses incur
red in the contested election between
G. j. Insersoll and Charles Naylor.
In the course OF the debate Mr.. I'm
derwood urged the necessity Of an IN
quiry into the legality Of paying lndl-
y,duals who contest seats. If they could
be paid, SO also could witnesses, and
there would be no end to the amount ol
money to be paid. lie was in favor OF
such IA modification Of the proposed IN
quiry as would include this subject
MIR. Wise expressed his regret that this
celebrated contested election between
two disting uished gentlemen from The
city of Philadelphia had dwindIcd down
at las, to mere scabby matter Of ac-
counts. He hoped that no collateral
question such as that suggested by the
genll man from Kentucky Mr.. Under
wood would be included in the inquiry.
lie (Mr. Wise) agreed with that gen
ilcman that double price ought not to
be paid for any seat no scat was worth
a double price. II the example which
had been set was followed, n bounty
would be offered TO contestants. MIR.
w. differed, however, with the gentle
naa from Kentucky ns to the payment
Of witnesses. IIo thought that tho
Committee on Accounts should have an
opportunity 10 Justify themselves If they
could. And be hoped that this case
might lead to the adoption of some rule
or law on the subject; for, ns matters
stood now, it really seemed TO him that
The public purse was open, and my man
who pleased might dip his hand into it.
Mr.. Albert Smith, in pursuant Of the
notice heretofore given, obtained leave
to introduce bill to regulate the pay ol
Surgeons in the Navy Of the United
States, which was twice read, and re-
fcrred TO the Committee on Naval Affairs
The States and Territories were then
called lnr the presentation of petitions,
and large number Of memorials were
presented and referred. A large num-
ber Of resolutions proposing various in
quiries were also adopted.
In SENATE, Tuesday, Dec, o2.-Mr.
Buchanan presented n memorial relating
to French spolia,ions before 1900. Tie
made some remarks on the importance oI
the claims, in which ho was contirmed d
by Mr.. Webster.
Some debate arose on the reference
of bill offered by Mr.. Nor,ell to amcnt
and continue in force the charter Of the
city of Washington. Mr.. NorveIl oh.
lccted to its reference to the committee
OH the District Of Columbia, because
that committee consists entirely al
Wings, u circumstance which he sup,
posed mi.h, have an uniavorablc inilu.
encc on provision in the bill for univer-
sal suffrage. The bill was, however
referred to that COMMITTEE.
In TIE IousE, alter the prescnta.
ton Of petitions and reports, IT was voted
that the report on Messrs. NayIor nn,
Insersoll's contested election should b,
a. 81 sned TO the first Tues esday III January
a resolution lns,itutlns an inquiry Il:
to the expcdlcncy oi approprlatlng $780,
900 per unnuin 10 the Cumberland road
from the proceeds of the pubic lands
and of distributing the residue among
lne ,oNd'Gs, was iuiu VA tiS tooiS, 1Su'
lO5, HAYS %.
Alter the passage of several rcsolu
tons calling on the Executive depart
mont for information, the House ad
JouIncd.
In SENATE, "Wednesday, Dec. %
MIR. Benton gave notice OF his intention
to bring IN H. bill to tax paper circulating
as money in the District of Columbia.
Mr.. Williams Of Maine, chairman o
the committee ON Naval Affairs, called
up the bill proposing the regulation u
pay and euoluuenls OF Pursers IN Tho
Navy f; which after debate, was laid OF
The table.
Mr.. Williams also called up bill il
rels,ence to Naval Pensions, the con
sideralion of which was postponed t,
the first "Wednesday in January.
Several bllis upon tho calender wcr,
ordered to be engrossed, ono oi thes,
provides for punIshing certain crlme'
against the United States one Tor ex
tending The time ior completing the cen
sus aud another TO punish for the coun
iere,iing of coin.
In 1ug House the Postmaster Cenor
al submitted his report OH cunalme mt u
mail facilities, siHCc the adjournment o
Al fh.. La,