Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-02-24
0@Sy@DlNSs0
CONGRESS-T.c,,,o,

VVSlVrASlSSS0
CONGRESS Tacsdau.
In the House, bill, for the relief Of tire
District Banks, was discussed and passed.
In the Senate, Mr.. Clay submitted the fol- !
lowing important resolutions:
fsssotucd, That It is the duty of tho Gener-
al Government. in conducting its adnrinis,ra-
ton, to provide an adequate revenue within
the year to meet the current expenses of the
year and that any expedient either by loan
or oy treasury notes, to supply, in time of
peace, deficiency OF revenue, especially dur
ing successive years, is unwise, and must lead
consequences
- Resotrcd, That gu CHI an adequate reven-
ue cannot be obtained by duties OH foreign
imports, without adopting higher rate than
twenty per cent as provided for in tho Com
promise act, which, at the time of it's passage,
was supposed and assumed as u rate tina,
would supply sufficient revenue for an econ
omical administration of the Government.
s. Resolred, Mcrcfo 1'hut the rate of tlu
ties on foreign imports ought to be augmented
beyond the rate Of twenty per cent so us to
produce net! revenue of twenty six millions
oil dollnrs-twcnty-two for the ordinary \ex-
penses OF Government, two for the paymeu, of
the existing debt, and two millions as a rcsery-
cd fund for contingencies,
a. Resolced, That in tho adjustment of
tariff to raise ali amount Of twenty six millions
OF revenue, the principles of tho Compromise
act generally should be adhered to; and that.
especially, maximum rate Of al yalorem du-
ties should be established, from which there
ought to be as little departure as possible
D. RcSolced, That the provision in the act
OF the extra session, for the distribution of the
proceeds of the public ian;ls, requiring the op-
Grafton of that act 10 be suspended, in the con-
tingcncy Of higher rate of duty ,han 90 per
cent. ought to he repealed
3. Hesotced, That it is tho duty of the
Government at all times, but more especially
an season such as now exists of general en-
barrassment aud pecuniary distress, to abolish
all useless institutions and Offices. to curta
all unnecessary expenses, and to practise rigid
economy.
2. Resolced, That the contingent, expenses
OF thetwo Houses of Congress ought to be
greatly reduced ; and the mileage of members
ofCongress ought to be regulated and more
clearly defined.
s. Rcsolccd, That the expenses of the iu-
dicial department Of Government have, of late
years, been greatly increased, and ought to be
diminished.
.. Resolced, That the diplomatic relations
OF the United States with foreign powers have
been unnecessarily extended during the last
twelve years. and ought to be reduced
~. ReSolred, That the ranking privilege
Ought to be further restricted, the abusive use
OF 1t restrained and punished, the postage on
letters reduced, the mode ofestimalng disan-
ces more clearly defined and prescribed, and
small ADDITION to postage male on books,
pamphlets, and packages, transmitted bv the
mail, to be graduated and increased according
TO their respective weights.
IL. ReSofUed, That the Secretaries of State,
OF the Treasury, of the War, and of the NAVY
departments, and the Postmaster General, be
severally directed as soon as practicable. to
report what offices can be abolished, and wha,
retrenchment of public expenditure can be
made without public detrment in the respec-
tive branches oftke public service under their
charge.
MIR. c. asked that some day be fixed for
their consideration.
MIR. Calhoua considered them very impor-
tant and in order to have double discussion
on them, he proposed that they be first con-
sidered in Committee of the Whole lie
thought they violated the Compromise act
Me- Clay desired thorough examination
OF the resolutions. He contended that they
did not violate the Compromise-but merely
carried ont lis principles. Thursday week
was named.
BANKRUPT Act.
Mr. Benton's Bill to postpone the BANKRUPT Act
was rejected. Mr.. Rives voted against it, as it
was not possible to repeal the ACT this Session. and
he was opposed to keeping up agitation Oh the
subject. The following is the vote:
4EAS-Messrs. Allen, Benton, Buchanan,
Calhoun, Fulton, Graham, King, Linn, McRob-
erts, Pierce, Sewer, Smith of Come cticu,, Stur
geon, Tappan, Walker, Woodbury., Wright, aud
Young-lS
NAYS-Messrs. Barrow, Bates, Berrien.
Choate, Clay, Clayton, Evans Henderson, Hunt
ington, Kerr, MaBgum, Nlerrck Miller Morehead.
Phelps, Porter, Preston, Rives, Smith Of Indiana.
Southland, Iallmadge, White and Woodbridge
%.
Mr.. Clay's amendments to the Constitution
were then taken up, and were supported by Mr.
Morehead.
On "Wednesday Mr.. Benton submitted
series Of resolutions to the Senate, nstructing
the Judiciary Committee to report bill to a
mend the Bankrupt law in several particulars
-one of which was to con!ine its operation
to merchants and traders, and another to in
clude Banks. The resolutions we're ordered
70 be printed.