The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-08-31

Mr. CUTHBERT said the purpose of the law Of
1892, exemplng iron from duty was TO encourage en-
terprse for general public benefit for the establish
ment Of railroads. This ojert had not yet been ac-
complshed the railroads of his State, and OF the
| Southern States, not yet completed, and ihey
ought ~ have the same advantages extended 10 them
those Of the North had had and for this purpose,
| the law ought not yet to be repealed
Mr.. CLAY, Of Ala, said the Senator from Con
necticut (Mr. Hunington) had offered his amendment
10 protect the people Of his State, and then be was
willing the law should be repealed lie had over,
looked the States of Alabama, South Carolina, ana
others had commenced their railroads under the law
protecting the iron from duty, and he willing thar
the law should be repealed when time enough had been
given to the people of his State TO provide against ~
He Mr. c. opposed this; if the law was TO DC re-
peaed, he wished it TO come al once. sgsi
Mr.. HUNTINGTON said he was influenced by
no matter Of fact existing in his own State but ne
offered it for the benefit of those corporations OF The
Senator'S and other States, which had sent their or
ders for iron His object in Offering his amendment
was the general benefit of the country.
Mr.. KING contcnded that this notice ought in the
same manner to be extended TO the importers OF all
goods, as well as of railroad iron, This amendment
also, so far postponed the time for the repeal OF the
law, that orders might be issued and the articles
imported before it took effect To carry out the prin-
cipe for which the Senator commended, he ought to
conne to articles of all kinds the orders for winch
had been issued Ii he could be satisfied that domes-
tic iron could be secured low the foreign article
other imports
Mr.. CLAY of Ky, said Senators on the other
side had expressed much hope that the session should
terminate and yet three hours had been occupied
this single amendment relating to irop article OF
the many in the bill. IL they wished to adjourn let
them act on these Until this bill was de-
cided on, and the Bank BILL they would fix day for
adjournment IfgentIemen the other side would let
the be disposed of he would then unite with
them in fixing time to adjourn.
As to this amendment: the law was passed freeing
iron from duty, when the Treasury was overlooking
this was not now the Case and all that ought to be
done was TO allow companies which had undertaken
their works under the consideration of the law TO
have equal benefits of the law, and then TO repeal the
act He should vote for the amendment to the amend
ment, and the amendment itself. There being
| now nearly an equal capacity TO produce iron in
America with Europe; in less than five years
this amendment adopted, the foreign iron would be
brought to much less rate than at present. there
would be an American rival in the trade; and the
consequence would be reduction in the price of the
article. If the amendment adopted, and any
companies which had commenced their works under
the former law, should make out their case and petit
ton Congress to relieve them from paying the duty,
he had no doubt but it would be granted.
/ /. Mr.. CALHOUN said the Senator from Kentucky,
If he was SO anxious to adjourn could give up these
bills and then they could Immediately close the
SION Let them give up the Bank bill. (Mr. CLAY;
never never; we will stay here till Christmas frst)
They had brought lis here Continued MIR. Calhoun)
j
/ home.
Mr.. WALKER said the Bank bill was so bad that
even the Senator from Kentucky had not made up
his mind whether to vote for it, (Mr CLAY had ne
yer said So He had not communicated his intention
to the Senate but might have his mind made up firm
/ ly on IT'D
| Mr., WALKER continued, and expressed his in
| tention of voting for both the amendments.
| The amendment to the amendment adopted
MIR. PRESTON advocated the amendment. The
law exempng iron from duty had virtually made large
appropriations for internal improvements and, more
over, il was part al in its operations Under this sys
TEN of legislation his State and many others had been
and are engaged in the construction of railroads.
and their Legislation should not be hastily suddenly
reversed not argument against the change
OF the law but against a limitation the amendment;
and he would much prefer that the law be repealed,
excepting far applied to the iron for railroads.
whose construction had now been commenced; this
ought TO be len free Of duty.
MIR. MERRlCk moved reconsideration Of the
vote by which the amendment to the amendment had
heen adopted. The object to reject that amend
ment, and then frame the amendment as 10 apply
to railroads. the construction Of which was now com
menccd
Mr. SEWER contended that this most sch
fish, absurd, and unjus. proposition, as j would favor
but one or two States, while others who were to COM
mence their works next year-his State and Others
would receive no benefit.
Mr. SIMMONS should vote for the amendment
on the ground that the duty required for revenue
and wouldbe drawn, not from the pockets of the peo
pie this country, but from foreign iron masters and
give the Preference to manufactures of own
try
Alter remarks from Mr.. TAPPAN against
the amendment which had been adopted, the question
was taken, and the motion to reconsider was carried
by vote of 20 to 20.
Messrs BUCHANAN and BATES spoke brief
ly, when
A message from the House of Representatives was
received that they had concurred in the amendments
of the Senate TO the Distribution BILL except the 3D.
3D. and 9th amendments
DISTRIBUTION AND PRE-EMPTIoN BILL.
On motion of Mr. SMITH, of Indiana, The Rev.
enue bill was laid the table, and the Distribution
taken up for the consideration Of its amendments
The amendments disagreed to by the House were
read and those which provide that the distribution
shall be made to the States according to their respec
tive Federal representation in the two Houses of Con
gress.
Mr. SMITH, of Ia, moved that the Senate recede
from these amendments
Messrs. KING, FULTON, CALHOUN Sc |
WEIR, BENTON, and WOODBURY. briefly op-
posed, and Mcssrs. SMITH, of Ia, CLAY and
DIXON advocated this motion. The question was
then taken and the amendments were receded from |
by bote Of 25 yeas TO Is nays.
Thus the Distribution bill is finally passed
The Sena,ejhe adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES