Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-03-05
CONGRESS.

The majority in the House Of Represen-
tatiyes seem determined to make the most of
their ill-gotten power, gained by the exclu-
sion of the New Jersey members, in prevent
ing exposures of the manifestations and pecu-
lations of public officers, which might oper-
ate against the interests and success of the
party. A few days ago, resolution was
offered, proposing an inquiry into charge
made against the Clerk of the House in
March last. The charge was that Mr.. Gar
land had employed Mr.. Langtree, of the De-
mocratic Review, to supply the House with
stationary-that Mr.. Langtree had presented
I'M .'-'.'es IN SI9.5i1. in which he had
charged more by 20 per cent. than the articles
furnished could have been bought for in open
market-and furthermore, that the Clerk had
no right to make such contract. Stranue tn
tell, however, the majority had the audacity
to refuse the inquiry! In the palmy and vir-
tuous days of the republic, such &C nduc,
would have been regarded as rank injustice
to the party accused, and little less than trea-
son to the country and if it does not open
the eyes of the people now, to the necessity
OF a change of rulers, they must be blind in
deed. A large majority of them, certainly,
have no interest in political matters other
than to secure faithful and honest admins
traton of the Government, and it is impos-
sible that they can, knowingly and deliber.
ately, sustain the system Of peculation and
plumber which is openly sanctioned and en-.
couraged by the party in power, and which,
from its extent and pro,igacy, has well nipb
ruined the country.
a general bankrupt law has been proposed
IN the Senate, by Mr.. Webster, in favor of
which there has been strong manifestation
OF popular sentiment latterly, especially in
the commercial cities. The bill proposed by
MIR. Webster is made to apply to all persons
whatever owing debts over certain amount,
who shall avow their insolvency and petition
to the proper tribunal for the benefit of the
act. These are to be deemed voluntary bank
rupts. But it is to apply compulsorily to
merchants and traders whose debts amount to
a sum not less than s., and who have
iaiieu, VI WHO Shall 1all In business, or be an
parently insolvent and unable to paw their
debts. These may be proceeded against up
on the petition of any creditor or creditors.-
Every bankrupt surrendering all his property
to be entitled to a full discharge from all his
debts, and to receive certificate of DISCHARGE
from the proper tribunal-but if guilty of any
fraud or concealment he forfeits this right
All creditors who come in under the law and
prove their debts are to share pro rata in the
bankrupts property.
In the present condition Of the country.
such law, we doubt not, would not only be
humane in itself, butsubserve the cause of ge-
neral right and justice. At present, when an
Individual fails, few friends or favorites gem
orally get all, and the distant creditor is
wholly excluded. A principle of Mr.. Web
Ster's bill, however, is, that any preference or
payment made, in contemplation of bank
ruptcy, to one or more creditors, works a for
Ieitnre of the benefits of the law TO the bank
rupt.