The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-28
CONGRESS-.

In the House, on Thursday, Mr.. GLMER,
from the Retrenchment Committee, to which
sundry petitions &C., had been referred, pray
ing reductions in the pay of members of Con-
gress, and other plans of reform, moved that
the committee be discharged from further CON
sideration of the subject, it had made reports,
in part, in conformity with the prayer of the pc
TONERS.
Mr.. LEVY offered resolution calling for cor
respondence respecting the Florida war. The
resolution was adopted
A resolution from the Select Committee ap-
pointed for the investigation of alleged fraud in
certain transactions of the Commonwealth
Bank of Boston with the Government, gave
rise to protracted discussion. The object OF
the resolution was to empower the committee
to send for persons and papers. 1t was finally
agreed to.
The House then, at much later hour than
usual, went into Committee of the Whole, and
took up the Army Appropriation bill. The
pending subject of debate was the amendment
enacting gradual reduction Of the Army Mr..
Gushing argued at length against the reductions
proving from minute examination OF details
the absolute necessity OF retaining the Army at
its present number, for manning forts and posts,
| and for keeping under check the large number
of Indians inhabitng our Western frontier.
These duties he showed to be sufficient to en-
ploy the whole Army at present IN existence,
without reference to the impolicy of choosing
this critical moment for the reduction of its num-
bers. The abuses existing in the Army COM
mented on by Mr.. Mckay, he said are no argu-
ment for the diminution of it's numbers. The
abuses could exist in an Army of 5000 as well
as in the actual Army Of 10000. Let the
abuses be corrected.
After an elaborate speech, he was followed
by Mr. GILMER, in reply, who advocated reduc-
ton, on the ground that our dependence in war
must be on the militia; that regular Army Is
wanted to man posts, &c. in peace, and form
nucleus round which the militia could form In
war, and that smaller Army is amply sut-
cient for all the purposes required in peace from
a regular Army.
In the Senate, Mr.. MILLER presented three
petitions from Sussex county, New Jersey, pray
view to the protection of commerce, agricul-
ture, and manufactures.
Mr.. TALLMADGE presented memorial from
Onondaga county, New York, asking for re-
vision Of the tariff, to protect the domestic in
dustry of the country; and also that the ques
ton of the currency may be settled on the basis
of the Exchequer plan.
Mr. MANGUM, from the Committee on Printing
reported against printing memorial from citizens of
Boston, which had been referred to it, asking for an
international copyright law
Mr. PRESTON trusted that, at distant day,
they would bave the action of Congress on this
subject and that it would be favorable to
international copyright law The example had
been set by all the civilized nations of the
globe, including the German States and Italy
With this example before them, and with the crying
evils which the literary men of the country expert
enced for the want Of such law, he hoped that the
Judiciary Committee would report law upon the
subject In the meantime, this able memorial should
be printed for the of the Senate and his object
in rising was to make this suggestion.
Mr.. BUCHANAN presented petition from the
manufactm ers of chemicals, residing in the city of
Philadelphia who stated that the tariff bill projected
by the Secretary of the Treasury proposes to impose
duty of fifteen per cent ad valorem quicksilver
imported while the manufactured article will pay but
twenty per cent They therefore ask either that the
quicksilver shall come in free of duty hereafter,
that the duty on the manufactured article shall be
HANGED; also petitions from Chester county, Pennsyl
vana, praying for protective tariff.
On the motion of Mr.. BAYARD, it was resolved
that the report of the select committee in relation to
the employment of corps of reporters, made on the
9Th of September, I64l be referred to select COM
mittee of five, to be appointed by the President pro
tenn.
Mr.. GRAHAM, from the Committee on Claims,
reported without amendment the bill for the relief Of
the legal representatives of John Barnes, deceased.
Mr.. WALKER moved that the Senate proceed to
the orders of the day.
Mr.. PRESTON said that he would be greatly graf
flied if the Senate would take up the bill proposing
to incorporate scientific institution in this city, on
the ruins of that formerly existed. The gentle
men who composed it held property, and they wish
ed to be secured in its possession as an Incorporated
body. The object of the enterprise was laudable
one and the bill merely proposed revival OF the
Columbian Institution which existed for thirty years.
He moved that the orders be postponed, and the bill
be takenup. u.
Mr.. WALKER believed that his motion the
first in order He would withdraw it, if il not
for the fact that several Legislatures had been con-
vened, and waiting for the action of Congress
on the Apportonment bill and he therefore thought
that the bill ought not to be delayed to give place TO
any other subject
| Mr.. ALLEN hoped that the Senate would pro-
coed to the consideration of the special order,