Litchfield enquirer., 1842-02-03
CONGRESSIONAL.

In Senate today, many petitions were presented by various Senators against the repeal of the Bankrupt Law in the present. ation of which, and private petitions, and re- ports of private bills, the morning hour was consumed.
 The resolutions offered some time since by Mr. Clay, and made the special order to- day, proposing so 10 amend the Constitution as to provide that no Senator or Representa- tive during the term for which he was elect ed, shall accept civil office under the United States empowering majority of both Hou- SeS to pass bills into laws after the veto of the President making it the duty of the Prcsi- dent if received by him within ten days of the close of a session, to return them within the three first days of the next session, other wise to become law; and providing for the appointment of the Secretary of the Traasu- ry and the Treasurer of the United States, by joint vote of the two Houses of Congress, were taken, and gave rise 10 a debate of much interest, continuing over three hours, and listened to by an immense crowd of spectators.
 MT. Clay opened the debate in the advo- cacy of the resolutions, and with particular reference to that restricting the Veto. This power he considered a monarchial power, enabling the President at his caprice to de- feat any measure, however urgently demnn- ded by the necessities of the country or the wishes of the people to whose distresses his ears were too often closed. It gives the President power, in cases where the veto occurred, equal to that of nine Senators and forty Representatives, vestige of kingly sway which should no longer be continued in the Constitution. He would give his hear " support, for the short time he expected to remain in the Senate, to any measure cur foi1 ba NUith also to the appointment and removal of off, cers. These views were not in consequence ot recent events, but had long been entertain ed by him.
 Mr. Preston followed, eloquently opposing the ground taken. by Mir. Clay, coEtendng that the Veto was conservative power, ben eficial in its tendencies as remedy against unconstitutional and hasty legislation, and a Democratic power, the President being elected by the People. In connection with this, he instanced the fact, that all the Pres- dents who have exercised it, have been elect ed a second term, while this had been the case with none who had not made use of it.
 Mr. Buchanan intimated his desire to speak on the subject; and at his motion it, was postponed till Monday; with view, no doubt, to intermediate action on the bill to repeal the Bankrupt Law.
 MT. King introduced a resolution for the final adjournment of the present session of Congress on the 30th of May next.
 In the House Mir. Adams attempted to pro- ceed in his remarks on the wide subject of Abolition, commenced on Saturday under leave given him by the House to defend him. self as a matter of privilege, from charges of disqualification from serving as Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, made in petition presented by himself, purport- ing to have come from Habersham county, Ga.-concerning which Messrs. Habersham and Warren, from an acquaintance in that county, and from an examination of the petl- ton and signatures, had declared their opin- ion that n ras hoar. The petition prayed the removal of Mir. A. from that station. and the appointment of some other member, as- signing as ono among the many reasons, their belief that he was, and had been for the last seven years, lGboring under mOnonnG- nia on the subject of Slavery. Mr. Adams having been arrested in his remarks, Satur- day,
 Mir. Wise now moved that Mir. A. be al- lowed to proceed, which motion acas negatir- cd: Yeas 76, Nays 9l.
 MT. Wise then in his turn claimed the right as question of privilege 10 be heard Adams.
 A conversation by various members on points of order here arose, and was terminal ted by motion of Mir. Bolts to lay the whole subject on the table.
 Which motion was carried, by Yeas 1Ol, Nays 7S; and thus the House refused leave to both these distinguished combatants on this subject to gratity their private animosi- ty, at the great expense of the time and de- lay of the business of the nation.
 MT. Adams presented several other peti- tions, amongst which was one from Haver- hill, Mass. praying for dissolution of the Un. ion, the reference of which he moved to se- lcct committee with instructions to report the reasons why the prayer shouldn't be granted.
 Mir. Hopkins asked if it was in order to move to burn the petition before the House.
 The question of reception was raisec, and laid on the table, thus rejecting the petition.
 Mir. Gilmer onered resolution, declaring that, In presenting the last named petition, Mir. Adams had justly incurred the censure of the House.
 Some conversation arose as to whether this resolution was in order, Mir. Gimer in- sisting that it was privileged question, in accordance with which the Speaker deci- ded.
 Mr. Adams, previous to the decision of the ton would be received, and he have the priv ilcge of debating it. After further points of order, and call of the House,
 MT. J. c. Clark moved to lay the subject on the table. Pending this motion, the House adjourned.-N. Y. Tribune.
 WASHINGTON, Jan. 9.
 In the House, the Treasury Note Bill, yes terGay, returned from the Senate with amendments, was then taken up on motion of Mir. Fillmore. for concurrence in the amcndmentS md