Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-05-13
TO.DAY'S PROCEEDI NGS.
u. s. SENATE.
MORNING BUSINESS

The Chair Of the presiding officer was taken this
morning by MIR Southland himself. who continues
much lndisposed, however. The Char was retain
Cd only long enough to call the Senate 10 oruer.
Mr. TALL MADGE presented Resolutions from
the New York Legislature upon the SUBJECT OF the
franking privilege, declaring that II should DC aoo
ished and lester postage reduced Inc nesou"V"S
were ordered to he printed.
MIR BUCHANAN presented memorial from
umbrella. makers, who state that the alteration IN
the Tariff Laws has materially affected thelr
interests, so much 80 that large export trace whch
they enjoyed has been destroyed, and IN addition TO
this the memorialists pray Congress that duty OF
81 may be imposed upon every silk umhrcua anu
paraso fifty per cent. upon gingham umbrellas ana
partsols, and 25 per cent upon cotton umbrellas
Nc BENTON'S resolution offered yesterday IN
relation to an article which appeared IN the Mad-
sonran newspaper few days since, IN regard to MIR
h came up Tor consideration in the regular order oil
business
MIR MERRICK Of Md. opposed the adoption Of
the Resolution. In It's character It was novel ard
extraordinary. lie could hardly think the Senator
from Mo serious in offering such Resolution with
the intention OF extending such irqufies 10 COM
mttce Of the Senate. lie hoped ,he Senate, too,
would pause before /, imposed such laOor upon
one of its Committees. The complaint was that
newspaper editor had made a statement which was
unioundcd IN truth. it surely did not belong 10
Committee OF The Senate - investigate the truth or
falsehood OF newspaper statements.
Mr. BENTON insisted thatit was matter OF
tlem,n from Matylonj. The newspaper editor
complained Of had had the examination Of files
whr had been denied him. The publication IN
the MadsOnan bore the Post Office mark IL came
from the Post Master General, and IN his place he
said It was false. He would not submit 10 such
garbcd extracts when they affected him. These
persons begun the inatter with him, and he would
end It with them. A falSelIood had been published
m regard to him. ard he demanded that II should be
Investigated. Upon its face the fssehood emlnated
IRON the Post Master General.
The debate was briefly continued by MessrS.
LINN and PRESTON, and upon some matters
iureign 10 the mere incidental inquiry proposed IN
the Resoution.-The origin Of all this inqu ~ was
the publication of Executive papers. MIR Benton
having published certain papers sent to the Senate
for consideration, his conduct was a matter OF COM
plant on the part OF the Post Master General
Mr. Merrick closed the debate upon this subject
to-day merely, however, commencing some remarks
which he will close TO morrow.
The special order of the day having been called
for by Mr. BERRIEN Of Ga, the affair Of Mr. Ben
ton was passed over and will be resumed to- NOR
row morning as the unfinished business OF the day.
REMEDIAL JUSTICE.
Mr. CHOATE OF Mass. was entitled TO the floor
upon this Bill, and addressed the Senate at some
lersth IN reply TO MIR Buchanan who yesterday
opposed the passage Of the Bill.
MIR ChOate regarded the Bill important, and
particularly important, though he did not attach
the same interest to It that some others did.
MIR Choate interested the Senate much by nice
and able law Argument, and by the number and
strength OF the authorities submitted in defence Of
the principles OF the Bill.
The constitutional areumen, was clear and able,
and 10 make good the power, authorities were again
Iesorie6 to. The expcdency OF such law was
also ably argued, with all the great and exciting
questions connected with national jurisdiction and
State sovereignty.
The true position and dignity of State, its du-
ties and relations TO the Union, strongly and
beautifully stated Incidentally, too, the question
Of State Rights was argued and argument advanc-
ed that even State Rights INDICATED highly
and nobly IN the Bill before the Senate.
Mr. Choate spoke until half past three o'clock,
and with undminished interest 20 the end Of his
Specialize conclusion Of il was a very eloquent
and striking ausion to the power Of the States Of
the Union il left act in defence OF themselves and
they might choose to act if uncontrolled by any
power. The Union would cease to be regular IN
us operations-Mane would attempt TO settle her |
grievances for herself-New York would DO the |
same, and Rhode Island also. There would be no |
harmony and government.
Mr. HUNTINGTON ofConn, has the floor, and |
the Senate have closed their business in Executive
session.