The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-04-09
CONGRESS.

In the House, on Thursday, Mr.. Black pro-
posed an amendment of the journal introducing
the fact that he had moved suspension ofrules
vious day-but his amendment was ruled out
by the decision of the Speaker.
From the Committee on Commerce, Mr..
Kennedy, of Md, asked leave to report bill to
prevent the transportation passengers and the
carrying of letters coastwse by foreign vessels.
Objection was made; but, the rules being sus-
pended, the bill was reported, cad twice, re-
ferred 10 the Committee of the Whole, and Or
derad to be printed
Mr. McKeon obtained leave to have resolu-
ton read, calling on the President to commune
cate (if not incompatible with the public inter-
ests) any correspondence that may have been
had with the Government of Great Britain in
relation to international copyright.
The House went into Committee of the
Whole, Mr.. Thompson, of Indiana, in the
chair On the motion Of Mr.. Adams, the Com
mlttee rose and reported the bill for building a
war sleaner-which bill had been laid aside the
previous day, but could not be reported for want
of quorum.
When this had been done, Mr.. Thompson
resumed the chair, and the Appropriation bill
was taken up. To the section appropriating
$475,O0O for defraying the expenses of the
United States courts, Mr.. Mcclellan, of New
York, offered an amendment regulating the
compensation of the attorneys, clerks, and mar
81. T. Al; I'D 4 IF
order. The Chair pronounced it in order and
after debate in which Messrs. Mcclellan, Fill
more, Gwin, ]. G. Clarke and Cave Johnson
participated, the decision of the chair was sus-
tanned, and the amendment was adopted.
Mr.. C. J. Ingersoll moved to reduce the sum
appropriated from $475,OOO to $375,ooo. The
increase 10 the expenses Of the Judiciary had
been more rapid than in those of any other
Department. In 1915 they had amounted
only to about $4,000, and for 1912 it is
proposed to appropriate S475,00 Even
the additional expenditures which would be
incurred in consequence of the Bankrupt
Law could not require SO enormous
sum If the courts did days work in day.
The practice of merely opening and closing the
courts, without performing any Judicial func-
tons, or Of setting merely two or three hours,
and then fully paying the officers, Witnesses, &c.
caused, in his opinion, the astounding growth
of the expenses of the United States Courts.
Hoping that attention being called to the abuse,
would supernduce its correction, he moved
reduction of the appropriation to sum, which
he deemed amply sufficient for the judiciary UNI
der proper attention to duty
Mr. Adams asked if the chairman Of the
Committee of Ways and Means had inquired
what charges had been made by the District
Attorney and Marshal of Connecticut for the
expenses incurred on account of the Amistad
negroes The expenditures on this account he
conceived would make large proportion of the
amount paid for the judiciary.
Mr.. Fillmore had made no such inquiry.
The debate on Mr. Ingersol's amendment
was continued by Messrs Cooper, Of Georgia,
Barnard, and by the mover.
Mr.. McKeon was of opinion that the item Of
S475, 900 was included in the rule which trans
ferred contingent appropriations to distinct bill.
He was overruled by the Chair. He went into
an examination of some Of the expenses of the
courts, and was followed by Mr.. Winthrop, Mr..
Pope, Mr.. Roosevelt, Satonstall, and others.
The amendment of Mr. Ingersol prevailed by a
vote of 70, noes not counted. Other amend
ments were then offered to the same clause by
different members.
The Senate took up the Loan bill, and
Messrs. Buchanan Rives, and Summons deliv-
cred their views.