The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-04-08
CONGRESS.

CONGRESS-.
In the House, on Thursday, Mr.. Black pro-
posed an amendment of the journal introducing
the fact that he had moved a suspension OF rules
to bring in the resolution he had offered the pre-
vous 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 of passengers and the
carrying of letters coastwise by foreign vessels.
Objection was made; but, the rules being sus-
pended, the bill was reported, read twice, re-
ierred TO the Committee of the Whole, and or
dersd to be printed.
Mr.. McKeon obtained leave to have resolu-
ton read, calling on the President to communl-
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
war steamer-whch bill had been laid aside the
of quorum.
| When this had been done, Mr.. Thompson
resumed the chair, and the Appropriation bill
was taken up. To the section approprlaling
$475,000 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
shas. Mr.. Fillmore objected to ii, as out OF
order The Chair pronounced it in order and
after debate in which Messrs Mcclellan, Fill
more, Gwin, ]. c.. Clarke and Cave Johnson
participated, the decision of the chair was sus-
tanned, and the amendment was adopted
Mr.. c. J. Ingerso moved to reduce the sum
appropriated from $475,ooo 10 $685. The
increase in 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 il is
proposed to appropriate $475000, Even
the additional expenditures which would be
| incurred in consequence of the Bankrupt
| Law could not require so enormous a
sum If the courts did days work in day.
The practice of merely opening and closing the
courts, without performing any Judicial tunc-
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 superinducc its correction, he moved
reduction of the appropriation TO sum, which
he deemed amply sufficient for the judiciary un-
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 Amstad
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.. Ingersolls amendment
was continued by Messrs. Cooper, Of Georgia,
| Barnard, and by the mover.
| Mr.. McKeon was of opinion that the item Of
| $475, 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, Saltonstal, and others.
The amendment of MIR. Ingersoll prevailed by
| 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 Simmons deliv-
cred their views.