Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-01-01
SENATE.
Tuesday, Dec. q, lsil.


bis seat to day.
The PRESIDENT pro tenn presented memorial
from the antSlavrry Society Of Pennsylvania praying
Congress TO take measures 10 the seat Of Go
yernment 10 Cincinnati Pittsburg, Philadelphia; or
to some central point in non-slaveholdIng State.
On motion of Mr. KING, the motion to receive said
petition was laid on the table
MIR. MANGUM, from the Committee on Printing
reported that that committee had given permission 10
have printed the communications from the Secretary OF
the Treasury, enclosing the rcpor, Of the Commissioners
of the General Land Oiice.
Mr.. SMITH Of Indiana moved 10 have the usual ad-
dtonal quantity Of that document printed that is 500
additional for the Senate and 800 for the use of the
General Land Office Department. II was document
Of considerable Importance, and more than 500 were
absolutely required for the Department
Mr.. CLAY was opposed TO printing any additional
quantity on the ground that the maps were very e.
pensye and useless that heretofore they had not been
sent out; But if they needed By the Department,
he was for letting the responsibility Of printing rest
with H. and let the country see that the Executive was
chargcable and not the Legislative Department, with
extraordinary charges for printing.
MIR. SMITH explained that the subject had been re.
ferred to the Committee Printing, and II had agreed
10 print the ordinary quantity, and the question now
was whether they should order The gsua
Ar 8 srw7r ire Importance Of the document,
and the necessity Of the extra number for the Of the
Department. lie also showed that if the 500 or
dcred by the Department, the expense would be much
greater-thc cost would be much nearly for The
original printing. II the extra quantity was ordered
by the Senate here would be charge for the compo
ston beyond which charged for the regular num-
ber Such would not be the if it were LETT TO the
discretion Of the Department
The question taken and tie 1000 additional or
dered.
Mr.. CLAY gave notice that he would, on tomors
row. ask leave introduce three joint resolutions, pro-
posing three several amendments TO the Constitution
Of the |. s.
The i, 70 put restriction the veto pc wer; Cd.
To take The appointment of the head Of the Treasury
Department from the Executive, and 10 vest that pow
er in the Legislative branch Of The Governments ID.
To xend the provision the Constitution IN relation
to the appointment of members OF Congress 10 once
90 that no members shall be eligible to receive an OF
flee from the Executive from the day OF snch mem
bers election the expiration OF the time Tor when
he elected
He said there was another point in which II was de-
sr,ble the Constitution should be amended-that was
n limit the duration of time for which the Chief Ma
should be elected But that SUBJECT had been
taken into hand ~ another Senator, who was not then
present, and he had no desire TO interfere with hun.
MIR LINN submitted resolution, which was adopt
ed that tile memorials and resolutions emaDatng from
any Of the State Legislatures othe United States, and
presented to the Senate 1885, with the memorials
and petitions from any individuals, relating TO the &C.
cupalion and settlement Of Oregon, be taken from the
files and referred TO the select committee on the SAID
Territory
The resolution Showing what would have been the
operation of the Land Distribution bl| If had been
in operation during the year lSil &c.,) submitted on
the 23d instant BY Mr. Linn, taken up and adopted
The bill introduced on Yesterday by Mr. Benton 10
postpone the operation of the Bankrupt law, with view
to amendment, up in order, and was read the Sc
cond time
Mr. BERRIEN moved It's reference 10 the Commit
ice the Judiciary.
MIR. BENTON saw no necessity for lis reference 10
any committee Prompt action was wanted. lie hoped,
therefore, the motion would not prevail
Mr. BERRiEN SAID, in consideration Of the fact that
several petitions touching the subject had been referred
TO tina, mmee, he took it for granted tina, the bill
should have the same reference
MIR CALHOUN hoped il would not be referred at
MI. unless i, was the understanding that the committee
would rcpor, at an early day The object Of The Ill
was Tor suspension of the law II his object Il
enrratt upon H. when IL came up an amendment ioi
The repeal of that law lie believed that there was
treat reaction pubic opinion with reference TO the
question II was passed precpita,ey at the last Sc
SON. and since that time, the country had examined
not only lis provisions, but the question of the prcpr
ETY. Of any law, and there was great change, he te
l;eyed with reference TO it, He thought those inter
estcd in bill should have opportunity OF perfect
ing it, If Il were TO 20 into operation; and unless ih'
committee to report at an early day, that opporiu
/ nifty could not lie afforded.
| Mr. LINN reminded the gentlemen Of the Nhi.
party OF their course The other day on the question
reference OF the bill 10 repeal the Distribution law Q
the last session, select committee. They then con
tended that simple question of repeal, no de
tails to investigate, &C. ard that it was not necessar
10 refer for that reason He conlended that this, els
was simple question no, 10 repeal, but mereyto post
pone and therefore less necessity existed for lis refer
ence to The Judiciary Committee. The Senate not on
refused tile reference ofthe Distribution bill 10 the Com
mitee on Military Affairs, 10 select committee, q
proposed b. him, but refused 10 refer il all lie did M
object 10 the course the Senate then thought proper
take but he would prefer they would act in accord
unce with the vote given the other day.
I Mr. BERRIEN said the motion was submitted unde
the belief that as chairman of the Judiciary Commute
he regarded the motion proper-the subject OF repe'
and postponemcnt having been presented to it on u
petitions already referred lf seemed proper 10 carr
out the views Of the petitioners BY reference oi III
petitions to that committee, he thought this bill shonl
have like disposition. With relation to the D'li :
the repeal of the Distribution act, referred 10 ny u
Senator from Missouri, he did think the Senate comp
ten, 10 decide on it wthou, reference, il having pee
passed in accordance with numerous petitions and
new lights could be elected BY being sen! to comn