The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-14
Tmemtp=SRoRmth Go1tgress.
SECOND SESSION.
IN SENATE,
FRIDAY, May IL, 1042.

FRIDAY, way IL, 1o4]
Mr.. SMITH, of Indiana, from the Committee on
the Public Lands reported bill authorizing the coun
ty of Holt, in the State Of Missouri enter a tract
Of land on which may be erected building for the
Of the county court also the BILL with amend
ments for the relief Of Daniel B. Bush
Mr.. YOUNG introduced bill, authorizing the
commissioners of Lake county, Illinois, to enter
quarter section of land for seat OF justice in said
county, which read first and second time.
Mr.. MERRICK submitted the following resolu-
ton, viz
Resolued That all letters of recommendation
other papers information touching concerning
any nomination for Office pending before the Senate
which may be sent communicated by the President
of the United States or any Chief Executive officer
to the Senate any of its committees, shall be held
and deemed to be confidential communications, with
in the meaning of the thirty eighth rule for conduct
ing the business of the Senate but all such papers,
when communicated to committee, shall, after the
decision of the question to which they relate, be
turned to the proper Department Of the Government,
and not placed upon the files of the Senate unless
expressly ordered by the Senate.
Mr. McROBERTS said thai when The resolution
up for consideration, he would Offer the follow
ing as substitute, viz:
Resolved That in all cases of nominations,
made by the President to the Senate for the
appointment of officers of the United States, the
Senate do proceed to consider and decide said
nominations with open doors.
Mr.. CONRAD submitted the following reso.u-
ton, which adopted, viz:
Resolped, That the Committee on the Post Ofics
and Post Roads inquire into the expedency of either
totally repeating much of the act entitled An act
making appropriation for the civil and diplomatic ex-
penses OF the Government for the year l84l, re-
quires that the Posmasters in the several cities in
Union shall account at the Treasury Department
for oil sums emoIuments by them respectively for
boxes, pgeon-holes, other recepacles for letters
hxrt 81, l.usl, ~f
modifying said act to the Effect. That the said
postmasters be required to provide said boxes
ceptaces for letters and papers; That they DO au-
thorized to charge to the Government the expenses
necessarily incurred in providing The same; 3 To fix
the price rent which said Postma tiers shall be
thorized to demand for the same a. That the said
price or rent shall be uniform in all the cities of tho
Union 5. That the amount or price OF said rent
which said postmisters are authorized to retaln IN
part compensation, for their services, shall be pro-
portoned to the receipts arising from the boxes in the
respective Post Offices
The bill for the relief Of Francis A. HARRISON and the
bill for the relief OF Archibald Parker soldier in the
late war; were engrossed for third reading and the
Joint resolution from the House changing The time OF
holding the district and circuit courts OF the United
States in East and West Tennessee, read third
time and passed.
Mr.. Blu CHANAN presented the memorial from
the city and county OF Philadelphia containing an
argument to prove that the Increase of duties on
Watches jewellery and silver ware imposed last
sion had not had such effect the trade as to
courage smuggling, which was anticipated and pre-
dctcd and that greater amount of those articles had
been imported since than before the increase Of duty
also the proceedings of large and enthusiastic meeting
held in the city fPhiladelphia at which We're adopted
very strong resolutions in relation 10 the Rhode
Island controversy expressing in bold and free terms
the elementary principles involved in the dispute and
sympalhizing with the Suffrage party of that State
MIR. CRI ITENDEN presented memorial from
citizens of Illinois, chiefly agriculuralsts expressing
desire to Oregon Territory, and asking for
liberal donations of land by the Government, and Pc
horses arms etc. They express their belief that the
advantages which would thus result to the Govern
nent, would amply compensate for the aid which they
olicl; also, pc ition from manufacturers of pearl
buttons in the city of Philadelphia asking for proteo-
ion.
Mr.. BERRIEN, from the Committee on the Judi
,iary reported the AppoItionment Bill with amend-
nents, proposing to strike out the traction OF one
hundred and seventynlne, that from and alter the
third of March, IS43, the members of the House of
shall be composed Of members elected
,greeaby to the ratio of representative Tor every
iiiy thousand persons, and one additional representa-
i've for each State having fraction greater than one
noiety of the ratio The States that would thus be
,enh ed New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Yer
uont, New York, Delaware, Maryland, Georgia,
louisiana Indiana, Illinois, Arkansas,
md Mississippi. The second section, as amend
3D. enacts that in each when State
S entitled to more than one representative anu
he election in such State shall, under the laws
hereof be made by districts, such districts shall
be composed of contiguous territory, and each
shall contain a representative population equal to
he number which, by the existing ratio, shall be re-
CURED for one member nearly may be, and no one
district shall elect than member.
The Appropriation bill was returned to the Senate
from the Horse, when several of the amendments OF
he former body insisted on and some OF the lat
er concurred in; and
The Senate then adjourned.