Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-05-12
JOHN FORSYTH.
TwENTY-sIxTH CoNGREss---lst SESSION
Thursday, May

TWENTY-SIXTH CONGREsS---lst SESSION.
Thursday, May7.
In the SENATE there was unusually animated and
interesting debate motion to print 80 900 copies oil
document obtained from the Treasury Department.
since. The motion to print was supported BY Mcssrs
BENTON BROWN, BUCHANAN, and CALHOUN,
and opposed by Mcssrs. PRESTON, SOUTHARD,
CLAY, WEBSTER, and others The motion was car
RED by vote of ~ to H.
HOUSE OE REPRESENTATIVES
Pursuant to adjournment the House Of Representa-
tivrs reassembed this day, at II o'clock.
The SPEAKER announced the business first in or
der TO be the report of the Select Committee appointed
investigate the facts relative to the recent breach OF
privilege on the floor of the House.
Mr. ADAMS reminded the House that this was the
dav set apart for the consideration of the bill numbered
100, heretofore reported by him from the Committee ON
Manufactures entitled "a bill to the more faith
full execution OF the laws relating To the collection oil
duties on imports.
Mr. A. said it appeared doubtful whether any
benefit would arise from the consideration OF the re-
port of the select committee on the question OF priv
lege; and III his OPINION the best way TO dispose OF II
10 get rid Of it at He moved, therefore, 10
lay it on the table.
SIR BRIGGS hoped the gentleman from Massachu
sctls (lIr Adams) would modify his motion so as to
postpone the consideration OF the report to future day
Mr.. ADAMS thereupon moved that the further con-
sderatlon OF the report be postponed unui thursday
next; which motion prevailed.
And the further consideration Of the report was post
poned accordingly
Mr.. CAVE JOHNSON, who had for some time past
been detained from the House by ndsposItion asked
that the House. the cause continuing, would re-
lieve him from further service on the Committee on
Military Affairs.
And Mr. J. was excused accordingly,
a message received from the Senate, by Mr.. A
Dickns their Secretary, setting forth that the Senate
had passed the bill making appropriations for the civil
and diplomatic expenses of the Government tor the
wear 1910, with certain amendments IN which the con-
currencc of the House requested
COLLECTION OF DUTIES on IMPORTS.
On motion of Mr.. ADAMS, the House resolved IT.
self into Committee of the Whole on the state OF the
Union (Mr. Bell, of Tennessee, in the chair on the
ssil to ensure the faithful execution of the laws
relating to the collection of duties on imports"
Mr. A asked that before the reading Of the bill, one
of the petitions which il was founded ght be read
The sections of the bill accommodated to the
PRAYER of the petitioners. There were as many as %
petitions coming from all the manufacturing States OF
the Union setting forth the difficulties that existed IN
the collection Of the revenue. The object OF the bill
was remedy these Inconvenience and to ensure the
collection of the revenue.
One of the petitions was accordingly read by the
Clerk.
After which, the BILL having been first read through
vas taken up by sections And the first section being
under consideration
some time since, and that there had been laid on the
table a number of amendments hereto-say from - to
90 If these amendments had covered the objections
which he entertained against the bill, lie would have
had nothing say but would have let the sense OF the
committee be taken upon them, and the bill he passed.
if the House so determined.
The CHAIR inquired of the gentleman from South
Carolina (Alr. Rhett whether he proposed TO amend
the first section of the bill.
Mr. RHETT said he was opposed to the whole bill.
The CHAIR said that the gentleman could then state
his objections the bill after the sections had been gone
through with in order
Mr.. RHETT moved 10 recommit the bull TO the Com
mittee Manufactures
The CHAIR said the motion was not in order.
MIR. RHETr thereupon moved to strike out the en-
acting clause of the bill In support of this motion,
Mr. R. addressed the committee at considerable length,
setting forth the objections he held against the bill, and
which, in substance, are as follows:
He said he did not desire to extend protection to
those who committed frauds upon the revenue. lie
wished that bill should be passed. but he wished 1T TO
he such one as was in conformity TO the Constitution
of the United States He did not think that the pre-
sent bill was So and from the number OF amendments
which the Committee on Manufactures had themselves
proposed-nonc of which, however, embraced the con-
stitutional objections which he entertained, and which
were four in number-te bill evidently in so crude
state us to render it unwise act upon in its pre-
sent form. As, however, the Chair had decided that
motion to recornm was in order, he had substituted
| for it motion to strike out the enacting clause
And the question having been stated to the commit
tee
Mr. RHETT proceeded. He did not wish to say
any thing which might look like reflection on the Col
lec,or of the port of New York; far he (Nlr r.
knew anv thing of that gentleman, he worthy OF
all the confidence which reposed i'll him. Nor, he
mir r. hoped, would any gentleman suppose it to be
his wish that frauds perpetrated the should
not be suppressed He would 70 far any man in
all proper means to suppress them for if it right
that laws should exist, it right, also, that they
should be enforced 1t due to the honest and up
right merchants Of the country that such frauds should
be suppressed and if the bill had not been liable to OBJ
iections under the Constitution, he should have left II
10 those who represent the commercial interests the
large commercial cities, in order that they might ar
range its details and provisions.
| The first objection which he entertained was to the
szth section (Which he asked the Clerk again to read
Mr. RHETT proceeded to state his objections at
LARGE to various sections.-He said the 18th section
rave the power Of search-a power most jealous y
guarded by ancestors-for they knew it was liable
to abuse The 4th article of the amendments to the
Constitution declared that ''the right Of the People to
be secure their PERSONS houses, papers, and effects
AGAINST unreasonable searches and Seizures shall not be
violated and warrants shall issue, but upon proba.
bic cause supported by oath affirmation and particu
larly describing the place to be searched and the per
sons or things to be seized Now, could not the gen
eman have put the Constitution into this clause, if be
meant it to apply: Mr.. R. contrasted this provision
with the provisions Of the act of 80.
One would have supposed tina, FIVE or six objections
were enough but there other objections, though
probably not so great Mr. r. then alluded TO that par
of the 10th section which, addition to other things
imposed civil disability the public officers found aid
1 ing and abetting the commission Of frauds. If thu
Constitution was making, he said, lie might b