Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-09-03
TwENTY-sEvENrn coNGREss--Ist Session.
IN SENATE.

TWENTY-SEVENTI COSGhESS--lSt SESSION.
IN SENATE.
Monday, .7ug. %
The Land Distribution bill was taken up the ques'
lion nendinc being on the amendment offered by MI
Berren providing that in case the duty on imported
articles after the Goth June, 1872 shall be increased
yond 20 per cent ad valorcm, to be computed
inc to the provisions OF the act OF I'd March, ioo he
distribution shall cease, TO be renewed whenever sau
duty is reduced 10 20 per cent al vaioeH, unless pro-
hbited BY the other provisions OF th's act. -.
Mr. BERRlEN would modify the amendment, II m
order and if not he would move 10 amend II so 'h' u
might provide, that if there snail at any uh'e curry
the existence Of THIS act he levied duty on imports,
with the provisions Of the act oil aarch 3D.
1898 1.-THE Compromise act entitled "An act 10 inodiy
the act of 18th July 1882, and all other acts imposing
duties on IMPORTS beyond the rate OF duty hxed oy na'
net then the distribution provided III TINS act sla oe
suspended and shall 80 continue, until tins cause oil
suspension shall be removed and then shall be renew
Cd II not prohibited by the other provisions OF hsact
Mr.. KING said the proposition OF the senator rom
Georgia amounted TO nothing, and altered the OIL IN
no respect lie was surprised that the Senator, when
lie expressed his unwlingness, few days since, TO
vote for the Distribution if effect would be to increase
the duties on imports, should now De wiling TO vote
for il, with tue amendment attached. The result Of
distribution would be TO increase the rate Of dn'es'
and il would run up the duty 10 unlimited exten,
on The articles used by the Southern States, II there
was corresponding decrease OF duty on other articles
He contended that this amendment was deceptive, and
in no manner modified the bull. Ii Southern Senators
were prepared to sci this whole matter ailoat 10 adopt
this ndment, and to pass the distribution bill al TINS
extra session. they pref AIRED Tor high taxation on ther
people.
Mr. BERRIEN said he representative of
Southern State and had offered the amendment with
view TO the interests OF his constituents lie beleveu
il was adapted TO this purpose. 1t would not alter or
restrict the power al Congress TO regulate the larIi
subject when the time lar that purpose arrived There
was no provso that could prevent future Congress
from going beyond the provisions OF the compromise
act If they thou gbt proper but by this amendment he
now asked an expression of the Senate that the pro-
visions of the compromise act should be observed
and this was all they could by any amendment,
but he very mich doubted whether this would pass.
Mr. KING said the amendment would be carried by
the other side, and that by the highest Tariff men IN
the Senate. The amendment that he (Mr. X had Of
tered and which Immediately rejected by the ia
riff men, provided that the distribution should cease,
and not be renewed whenever the rate of duty any
article exceeded 20 per cent; but this amendment,
which the Senator said OF the character, was
10 be accepted by them. How could the Senator e3-
plain this: He asked Southern men to ponder well
how they voted for Distribution when by II they would
create necessity for increased rate OF duties, un
der the plea of which necessity others would come IN,
and vote TO the duties articles consumed by
the South.
Mr. CALHOUN believed there much more pro-
liability Of preserving the compromise without, than
with the amendment, and, therefore, without going
into the argument, said he should vote against the
amendment.
MIR. CUTHBERT opposed the amendment.
Mr. EVANS said he should vote for the amendment
ns its object was 10 modify the Senator'S amendment
10 the form he wished. The amendment 10 the amend
ment was then accepted by general consent as mo
dicaton. ,
Mr. BERRIEN said perhaps he might modify the
amendment meet the views OF the Senator from
Alabama (Mr. King) by specifying the rate OF daty
fixed by the compromise act instead OF referring 10 the
act itself.
Mr. ALLEN wished to have the words cor any %
them" inserted after the word imports.
hIr WALKER hoped the Senator from Georges
would accept Of the notifications. This was one o.
the most important questions of this session 1t was
now to be decided whether Congress meant to adhere
TO the compromise act not-whether three or four
millions wear were 10 be taken out OF the Treasury
Ia create an excuse for violating that act II was
question of more Importance than the Bank bill for that
would not stand discussion before the people single
year. had il passed Congress; It would be set aside by
the future representatives OF The people.
After short discussion between hlessrs BEkhlEN
ALLEN, WALKER, CUTHBERT, LINN, and
HUNTINGTON, MIR. BERRlEN accepted the modl
tisllinns and the question taken the amend
,mcnt modified as follows:
rIa, il a, any tine during the existence
should be imposition duties imports inconsistent with
provs of the act Of March , 1884, entitled An act I" mo
lie on imports" beyond the of duty fixed by that act IL
w.t. per the value OF sch imports or any OF them
then the provided this ae shall be suspended ant
shall so continue until the Of suspension shall be
moved when, il not prevented 6 Diner PROVISIONS OF s act
such distribution shall he renewed
Mr. WOODBURY. observed that although the
amendment as now modified III substance Tx
same as the second one he had offered on Friday
there was however, an important omlsson-that o
including as part of the restriction the raising OF money
for the Treasury by loan Ii this was not inserted the
duty might nomina!y continue at 20 per CENT yet loans
nigh, be carried on to any extent for years, rendering
increased taxation inevitable.
Mr. BENTON opposed to the whole mode O
legislation now prevailing and would therefore vote
against the amendment, he would against the whole
bill. He had 10 idea Of encouraging thus system Of
carrying by tracing votes from sectional IN
terests. He for the whole country, in which the
parts included, lie would not support an amend
inent calculated 10 strengthen the vote on such bill
as this.
The yeas and nays having been called for and order
ed the question was taken, and resulted follows:
iras-Niessrs Allen, Archer Barrow, Bayad, Bcen, Cal
honn CLAY of Alabama Clay Of Kentucky, Clayton Cuhher
Sutton Graham Henderson, Her. King, ManGum Merck, More
lead Porter Preston, SEWER simmons smith OF Indiana, Tall
madse aud Walker-2i co..,
NIpNesss Bates Benion Buchanan, Choae Dixon, Evans
huntingdon Linn Aler Prens Southland Sturgeon lapar
White Williams Woodbridge, Wright and fonng-lc:
Mr. LINN renewed his amendment offered IN com
mttee to strike out the first sections ct the bil
which contain the provision for the distribution, anc
insert provision approprating permanently the mel,
proceeds of the lands TO the common defence OF ths
Union. by sea and land He advered to his arguments
before made, in favor of this proposition viz the ne