The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-07-16
IN SENATE.
TUESDAY, July "A, 1910.

/ TUESDAY, July Ia, lS4o,
RETRocEssIoN OF ALEXANDRIA AND GEORGETOWN.
Mr. WALKER submitted resolution nstrucing
the Committee for the District of Columbia to inquire
into the expedency of rerocedng all those portions OF
the District Of Columbia not within the limits of the
city of Washington TO the respective States to which
they formerly belonged
The resolution BY consent was at once considered
Mr.. CLAY, of Alabama, said he would rather in
struct the committee to bring in bill author
ling the retocesson, with the consent Of Alexandria
| and Georgetown, and the States respectively.
| Mr.. MERRICK said it would be recollccted that
Georgetown had formerly petitioned Congress to be
restored to Maryland Alexandria had not done so,
but had recently expressed unanimous wish to be
restored to Virginia Mr.. M sure that Mary
land would be glad to receive Georgetown. But he
thought it altogether too late in the session TO intro
duce of this kind, which evidently could
not be carried through. AT the proper time Mr. M.
would be glad to act upon it.
Mr. PRESTON argued that, if the measure
could not be consummatcd at this time it was expo
dent to bring the subject under consideration and he
was therefore in favor of the resolution
Mr. MERRICk said he was in favor of the retro
cesson, and he should not further object to rcsou
ton ofinquiry.
Mr.. CLAY of Alabama, said there were but two
points to be asceraincd in this matter one the
OF the People 10 be retrocedcd and the other the
sent of the States to receive them He thought,
therefore, that provisionary bill might readily be
passed at this session. which would require no further
action of Congress
Mr.. LUMPKlN, as amcmber of the Committee for
the District Of Columbia concurred in granting re-
procession, But III bill for that purpose was now to
he framed he proposed that il should be done bv a Sc
lcct committee
MIR. WALKER said the Committee for the District
Were better acquainted with this subject than select
committee could he and he wished the inquiry to be
made by those best able TO make it, He argued in
favor Of the retrocesson that would tighten the du-
ties and shorten the sessions of Congress and he be-
lcvcd it would be for the good Of all the parties con
cerned
Mr.. MERRlCk said he anxious that the re-
PROCESSION should take place, and if it should no. be
carried at this session. he should upon i, early
the next
Mr., ALLEN spoke in favor of a BILL even if il,
should not now be passed as it would more efecually
call the attention of the parties the subject and
the people of the country.
The resolution was agreed to without dissent
On motion OF Mr. WRIGHT il was resolved that
the Senate this day and for the remainder of the
session, take from hafpast two to halfpast
four O'clock
BANKS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The Senate motion Of Mr.. MERRlCK resumed
the consideration of the bill extend the corporate
existence of certain hanks in the District of Coum-
ba.
GBy the proceedings and votes Of the Senate on
Monday, the bill had been brought precisely to the
same condition in which ii from the House be-
fore the " winding up act had passed the third OF
July
| The question being amendment offered by
Mr.. CLAY, of Alabama, requiring that no dividends
of the banks should be made during their suspension
and that the President and Directors of each bank
should be personally responsible for all its liabilities
/ Mr. HUNTINGTON spoke with much earnest
against the latter clause of this amendment as
grossly unjust, especially it would in effect make
them answerablo for events wholly beyond their power
| and foresight
/ MIR ALLEN exculpated Mr.. Raphael Srmmcs from
charge he had made against him the authority Of
| a report in the other House.
/ Mr. CLAY, of Alabama, in reply TO Mr. HUNTING
TON, argued that corporations should be liable in the
same manner and the extent individuals and
that this liability should fall directors of banks
| Exclusive Of Stockholders nasnluch they were
entrusted with the whole Of their management And
he asserted that the directors Of the banks here were
willing 10 incur this liability.
1 Mr. HUNTINGTON inquired whether he wa
authorized y the Presidents and Directors of the banks
to say that they willing to be held personally re-
! sponsiblc
/ MIR CLAY said he had il from gentleman on
| whom he could depend
| Mr. HUNTINGTON wished to know the author.
y for it seemed singular to him they willing tC
] incur this liability,