Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-02-06
Correspondence OF the Baltimore Patriot.
WASHINGTON Tur.nLn I'll o 10

WASHINGTON, TUEsDAI,Feb. ?, 1871.
The debate IN the Senate on the Public Lands.
Finances, sc. was closed to-day, by a short speech
from MIR. Riyes. His views are different in some
important respects iron the majority OF the Har L.
son party III Congress; and in order prevent mis-
construction and Misrepresentation, will indeayor
TO present them clearly but succincly. Regarding
the Public Lands whether those coded by the States
or those acquired by purchase, as the common pro
periy of the whole Union, he declared himself 10
be opposed 10 giving them away by the wholesale
operation Of cession proposed by Mr.. Calhoun, or
disslpaung them by the piece meal process OF the
prospective presumption system. He professed a
perfect willingness TO see the Public Domain adj
ministered by the General Government in a natter
nal spirit towards the States, in whose prosperi-
ty and magical growth he felt the greatest pride
and interest, and for whom he declared he had al
ways manifested the wnrmeSt friendship. Yet
equal justice to all the States, well as pa,ernal
feelings towards the new members of the Union he
felt ought TO mark the course Of the General Gov.
eminent. He held that the Public Lands had al
ways been leading source Of the country's re-
venue, and although since the extnguishment of the
debts OF the revolution and Of the last war il was
not so necessary TO employ that fund; vet AZ the
present time, and IN view of the future with pub
| lie debt impending, and revenue reduced in n
mount, he thought itinexpedient TO deprive the Ma
tional Treasury Of the moneys derived from this
source. He thought that in this state of things, II
/ the funds derivsble from lands should be with.
drawnSit would create the necessity Of laying taxes
on imports and that there would be great danger OF
reopenng the whole tariff question, and reviying
! the excitement and dissenslon TO which that sub
ject has heretofore given rise. Mr.. Rves expressed
his hearty concurrence IN thu proposition to tax lux
urIes; IN his opinion they ought never to have been
exempted from dutyj but he held that there was
/ limit to this resource in the nature Of things and
/ m the consideration OF enlightened legislation
LuKures enter largely into our exchanges with
foreign nations and they cannot be taxed without al
i faa Lao
| the countries which produce them. He questioned
also whether increase Of revenue would be conse-
quence ofncTeasing the duties these articles; and
al least coud say with certainty that such IA
alton would produce sufficient revenue TO supply the
deficit in the Treasury. Regarding IL as fiscal aues-
ton then, he thought II should be dependent on an
\ entire revision OF the Tariff which he hoped would
be settled the next session. And he had no doubt
| It would be amicaby and tremendously settled. lie
was opposed IN making any change to disturb the
/ Land system which had been in operation since the
foundation Of tho Government, and therefore he de-
clared his determination N vote against Cesson-
against Distribution, and against the Prospective
! Presumption Bill
! These are, in substance, the views Of Mr. Rives
ns understand them.
] The Senate then proceeded 10 vote upon the dif.
lerent propositions Mr. Youngs amendment which
went To establish Mr. Calhouns principles Of cession
| was rejected, yeas 30, nays 81.
/ Dir Critionden's motion 10 reoOmmit with nstruo
tons TO report in favour Of The distribution principle
was voted down; yeas %, nays 20. The bill wal
then ordered TO be engrossed; yeas 81, nays TO-
After the bill was passed, the al osptandum porter
Of tie title relating log cabins which was insert
ed for popular effect, was struck out, on motion o
Mr. Sewer.
The Uniform Bankrupt Bill will probably, be III,
next subject for discussion in the Senate. Nj
Cfiuenden called IL UP to-day, but after som,
consideration about the priority Of business, III,
Senate adjourned without any discussion upon IL.
The Treasury Note Bill will be brought out o
Committee OIL Whole, by general agreement, 70
morrow Of three o'clock, and IL Is probable that
will be promptly disposed Of after il comes into IN
, House, by means Of the previous question. NJ
Tnplett, ofky, made an exceedingly animated AM
effective speech on the bill, to-day.
Mr. Ewing, Of Ohio, the Post Master Genera
that is 10 he, has arrived IN Ibis city-he Is in hn
, health and spirits. ID.