The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-12

TWemtp=Aeoemth CONGRESS.
'ECOND SESSION.
IN SENATE,

THURSDAY, March TO- 1912.
The PRESIDENT laid before the Senate the fol-
lowing communications, viz
L. From the Navy Department, in compliance
with resolution of the 18th ultimo transmitting
statement in relation to the number Of midshipmen
appointed during the last year.
= From the War Department, a statement of the
expenditure OF the moneys appropriated for the con-
tngent expenses OF the military establishment for the
year IS4l.
s. From the Governor of Wisconsin, transmitting
the resolutions of the Legislative Council urging up
on Congress the propriety of removing the Indians
residing in that Territory to the west of the Misss
sippi
Mr. YOUNG presented petition from citizens of
Illinois, asking appropriation of land to complete
the Illinois and Michigan canal; also, report of the
trustees of Milwaukee, relative to the commerce of
the town and the navigation of Lake Michigan.
MIR. WRIGHT presented petition from citizens
of New York praying for a repeal on postponement
of the operation of the Bankrupt law.
TAX ON GOLD AND SILVER WARE
Mr.. WALKER presented petition from citizens
of Medina county, Ohio, setting forth that embarrass-
ments OF the country are produced by the huctua-
tons arising out OF the Of paper money as cir
| culating medium, and that vast amount OF tho
precious metals has been withdrawn from circula-
ton Tor the purpose of being used in the manufacture
OF gold and silver ware; and expressing their opn-
ion that If the amount thus applied added to
the circulation of gold and silver, there would be
ample amount of coin for the general purposes of the
country. Therefore, the petitioners pray that Con-
gress will impose tax gold and silver ware. He
said he presumed that the petition was sent to him
from the fact that several weeks ago. when the Sen
ator from Missouri (Mr. BENToN) introduced
amendment to the Bankrupt law to tax bank notes,
ne had suggested the proprety Of taxing gold and sill
yer ware and he expressed his qualification that this
matter had attracted the attention Of the people, and
trusted that the object would be carried out.
REMISSION OF THE FINE IMPOSED UPON GEN.
Mr.. LINN introduced a bill to indemnify Major
General Andrew Jackson for the damage sustained
by him in the discharge of his official duties in the city
of New Orleans, in the year 1915, and which pro-
poses that the fine of thousand dollars with costs
imposed upon that officer by Judge Hall shall be
| funded to him with legal interest.
The bill was read first and second time, and re-
ferred to tke Committee on the Judiciary.
THE DISTRIBUTION ACT.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the
bill to amend the act providing for the distribution of
the proceeds of the sales of the public lands among
the States, and to grant presumption rights, to
remove the restrictions imposed by law upon settlers
upon the public lands.
Mr.. SMITH, of Indiana, replied to the remarks of
Mr. McRoBERrs, delivered yesterday, and expressed
| himself adverse to the objects of the bill.
| Mr.. CLAY moved that it be laid upon the table
and the motion was agreed to.
| THE TARIFF, AND RETRENCHMENT AND REFORM.
The Senate then took up the resolutions of Mr..
CLAY, in relation to an adjustment of the duties
imports, the limitation of the expenditures of the
Government, and suggesting curtailment of all
necessary expenses, and the observance of rigid
economy.
Mr.. WOODBURY. replied to the remarks of Mr.
| CLAY, delivered former occasion, contending
| that the Senator from Kentucky proposed to go
beyond the expenditures of the last years of Mr.
Van Burens administration, instead Of reducing the
OUTLAWS of the Governments and high the eXpendi-
lures of that much-abused Administration had been
roneously stated, they would not have been beyond
twentyone millions, annually if Congress had not gone
beyond the estimates of the Departments. He then
went into general examination of the tariff ques-
ton and argued against protection to the manufac-
turing interests, especially while agrculturists and
others neglected; and said that he had the
speech of the Senator from Kentucky before him,
delivered in 1924, showing the great distress which
then pervaded the country when the duty on foreign
imports was from thirty-hve to fifty per cent and
this was increased to seventy-fve to hundred
per cent, until, at last, the tariff broke down under
its weight. He advocated economy and REFORM
which, if properly carried out would obvate the
cessty for increase of taxes twenty per cent
and this would afford ample means Cor the purposes
Of the Government and, in all probability, more than
sufficient.
Mr.. SIMMONS obtained the floor, but gave way
for motion to go into an Executive session, which
prevailed and after some time spent therein, the
doors were opened and the Senate adjourned