The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-08-23
CONGRESS-.

CONGRESS-.
Mr.. BAYARD, from the Committee on Finance,
to whom had been refe red the Joint resolution au-
thorzing the Secretary of the Treasury carry into
effect the provisions of the contract for lighthouse
site at the Southwest pass of the Mississippi reported
the same with an amendment, which, after debate, was
concurred in, and the resolution adopted.
On motion of Mr.. EVANS, the Senate in
sisted on its amendments to the Contingent Appro-
priaon BILL which had been rejected by the House.
and Committee of Conference, on the part of the
Senate was appointed to confer with that which
might be designated by the House on the disputed
points.
The resolution directing the district attorney for the
western district of Louisiana, to investigate the legal
proceedings in the proper court with view to the
vindcaton of the right Of the United States to Rush
island, read twice and referred to the Committee
on Public Lands
| The act to establish district court of the United
States in the city of Wheeling, Virginia, read
twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
Mr.. HUNTINGTON, from the Committee on
Commerce, which had been referred the bill from
the House making an appropriation to purchase
tain sites for marine hospitals reported the with
! out amendments and he gave notice that when the
bill came up for confederation he would move to lay
| it upon the table.
| MIR. WOODBRIDGE, from the same committee
to which had been referred memorials asking for ports
of entry at Maunee city and Toledo, Ohio, made a
report thereon suggesting that the further consera
ton of the subject be indefinitely postponed
| A large number of private bills were passed, and
| several adverse reports disposed Of
message was received from the House of Repre-
sentatives, stating that they had appointed commit
tee of conference on the disputed points in the con-
| tingent appropriation bill.
The act for the relief Of James Tongue John Scriv-
ener, and the legal representatives of William Hold
son. deceased, was taken up, and after debate, was
| read third time and passed-yeas 3d. nays 6.
message received from the House of Repre-
sentatives informing the Senate that they had passed
bill providing for the collection of from i'm
ports, and to change and modify existing laws, and
for other purposes; which read twice and referred
! to the Committee on Finance.
| Mr. CRI rTENDEN gave notice that he will to-
morrow: to take up The bill regulate the TAX
ing of testimony in cases of contested election, and
| for other purposes.
| The Senae then adjourned.
| In the House, on Monday MIR. TILLINGHAST
moved that the Committee Of the Whole be discharg-
ed from the further consideration of the bill provd-
ing for the publication of the history Of the Expor-
| ing Expedition SC.
| MIR. CAVE JOHNSON said he did not intend t.,
obect to the passage of the bl-he merely wished 10
propose an amendment directing the Secretary of the
Navy 10 furnish at the next session Of Congress- spe
cfc statement of the cost of the Exploring Exped
| ton.
The amendment was ruled out of order. The bill
was then read a third time and passed
Mr.. STEENROD asked that the act establishing
district court in Wheeling should be taken up and
acted Immediately.
Mr. ARNOLD objected He said that he wished
to offer resolution and if that first acted on
he would withdraw his objection
The SPEAKER said that all could not be accommo-
dated.
Mr.. ARNOLD insisted on his objection, and
Mr.. STEENROD moved suspension Of the
rules.
The motion prevailed The bill was read third
time and passed
Mr.. ARNOLD submitted a resolution which he
so modified to order that all debate in Committee Of
the w hole on his bill should on Tuesday, at
two o'clock. The ayes and were ordered on this
motion. The vote stood, ayes 70, noes Sc.
Mr., COWEN offered resolution ordering that all
debate in Committee of the Whole on the bill "to
supply temporary defect failure in the laws relat
ing to the collection of duties IMPORTS" should
cease at Twelve o'clock of this day, (Monday,) and
on his resolution called the previous question.
The resolution was adopted; and,
On motion of Mr. COWEN, the House went in
to Committee of the Whole, Mr. J. R. IngersoIl in
the Chair and took up the bill for supplying the
porary defect in the aws-he question pend
ing being the amendment offered by Mr.. Barnard to
the original bill.
Mr. ROOSEVELT opposed that amendment be-
cause it was based on the suppositlon assumed
tainly that revenue law has been in force since
the 30th Of June last When there is but doubt on
the subject, it would be wrong to insert not merely
in report, but in statute, any thing to give color
by the Legislative authority, to the assumption that
there is no law.
Mr. X. then argued that law is still in force.
Mr. FILLMORE was opposed to legalising the
present acts, and removing the doubt He thought
that course impolitic. He thought things should
be left as they are until permanent system
bu, by permanent system. The present tariff can
afford protection, and the experience of the two
last years manifest will not furnish sufficient reve-
nue.. He opposed to any legislation surrendering
the principle of Distribution-but many of his
friends having resolved to for the vetoed bill
without the Distribution clause, he felt himself con
strained to yield to the influence of so large mum
Der Not from his convictions, but to preserve
the moral weight of the party, he would go for that
bill as modified.
Mr.. HOLMES argued that there Is now no law
authorizing the collection of revenue; and, IT the
courts should so decide the Government must stop
1t could paw none of its officers But even in of
doubt we are bound provide for the worst contn-
gency.
After few remarks from Mr. GORDON, the hour
of twelve having arrived, the Committee proceeded 10
vote on amendments for perfecting the bill. The va
| ruus ones offered by Mr.. Barnard were carried.
Mr. Bolts moved TO strike out that part Of the
first clause legalising the duties collected since the
| 30h of June.
| Amendments proposed by MIR. CAMPBELL, of
South Carolina, proposing an al valorem duty of ~
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