The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-03-17
gMentp< epenth Congress.
SECOND SESSION.
IN SENATE,
WEpNEspAY, March l6. 1912.

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The PRESIDENT laid before the Senate report
from the War Department, made in compliance with
resolution of the Senate of the 18th January, show
ing the average strength OF the army during the year
ending the 3lst Of December last and the expenses
Of the army during the same period; also communi-
cation from the Register of the Treasury showing
the expenditures of the United States, exclusive of
trust funds from the lst of October to the 3ls of
December, l64l
MIR. BUCHANAN presented the memorial of
number of citizens Of the city and county of Phia-
delphia asking that a fine imposed upon General
Jackson in 1915 may be refunded; petition from
Lebanon county Pennsy praying that the PEN
SION law of 1888 may be continued in force, and that
its provision be extended to the widows OF the Off
GERS and soldiers who served under Generals Arthur
and ST. Clair il Wayne's campaign memorials from
different counties of Pennsy asking for the pro-
lection of the iron interests petition from the same
State, complaining of the operation of the compro-
mise act, and asking that the law may be repealed
and protection afforded TO domestic manufactures;
and the petition Of John Hart, of Northampton coun-
ty, Pennsylvania, asking that certain duties paid by
him TO the Government under the former direct tax
law may be refunded.
Mr.. CALHOUN introduced bill to authorize
Chapman Lewis to purchase prescription right to
a certain quarer-section of land, now occupied by
him. at the minimum price per acre which was read
first aud second time, and referred to the Com
mlttee on the Public Lands.
The bill in favor of Mary Snow and the bill for
the relief of Thankful Reynolds, were seyeray en-
crossed for third reading.
THE TARIFF, AND nETRENcHMEFT AND REFORM.
The Senate then proceeded to The consideration of
the resolutions of Mr.. Clay, proposing augmenta-
ton OF the duty on imports and dminution OF the
expenditures OF the Covert ment.
Mr. CALHOUN said that the resolutions con-
tanned much hat he approved of and much that he
| condemned. Heapproved of them because they as
serted that should be raised but what
necessary for economic administration OF the
Government because they gave a preference TO all
valoTem over specific duties, and because they nam
tanned that during period OF peace, We ought not to
rely Treasury part of the ways nd means
of the o,crnmen except for the purpose Of meeting
a temporary deficit. Having approved of the resou-
tons these great points, 1t might be asked what
was left for his disapprovo lie would state that he
condemned them this viz that they did not prop to
carry out in practice what they asserted ~ principle
and while they professed arespect for the Compromise
act they set it aside in almost every essential partcu
lar. 1t the very Of that act that no duty
should be raised but for revenue, and no revenue
raised except for economical administration Of the
Government; and without the concession of these
points on the part of those who contended for pro-
lection, he, Of the Senators from South Caro-
lina would have given his consent TO the
actmen of that law, and South Carolina would have
sustained him in that position One of the guards in
the act fixed the rate OF duties after the 3Oth OF June
next and this done with the clear understanding
that il should not be extended beyond that mentioned
be levied beyond twenty per cent. and this was in
serted to keep the tariff from going back to the old pro-
tectve policy, which it the object Of the act to put
down Every provision ofthis act had been violated
proposed to be violated by the resolutions of the
Senator from Kentucky and every provision, one
for which South Carolina contended was to be vio-
lated and that one the continuance of the ad
valorem duty but he feared that that, under the ma
gc of " home valuation" was also to be destroyed
At the extra session, amidst the general eXtraya-
m n mai
SO far related to economical administration of
the Governments and no attempt was made towards
reduction of expenditure, which was acknowledged
on all hands to be enormous. 1t was his opinion that
if they restored the public lands which were given
away at the extra session, and reduced the
number Of free articles TO what 1t was before
| that time taking the estimates of the
Senator from Kentucky, in the third resolution
twenty millions for the ordinary expenses OF the
Government would be no necessity for trans
cending the limits prescribed by The Compromise Act
of 1888 But why this act TO be violated The
be found in the resolutions of the Soma
tor from Kentucky who believed that the protective
system essential TO the prosperity of the county,
and that free trade was ruinous. That Senator was
the head of the great Why interest of the county
the prominent elements of which we've a high rarii.
stocks, banks, and monopolies; and he believed that
the Senator sincere IN the motives which acuated
his in relation these objects If the Senator
respected the Compromise Ac there was protection
| the highest duty would be but twenty per cent,
ana consequently ne uau 10 resort " tue
of giving up hi. own cherished policy or of setting
aside the Compromise Act.
After some further remarks, Mr. CALHOUN pro-
ceeded TO demonstrate that the export trade of South
Carolina in a fourishing condition, also
her cotton trade with Massachusetts, and he reverted
to South Carolina for the purpose of showing that free
trade had given new and powerful impulse to the
industry OF that portion of the country and, although
she was suffering in common with .he other States,
and had lost thee millions by the Bank Of the U. s;
although great CONFEDERATION occurred in Charleston
a few years ago and although she had, like other
Staes gone foolishly into the system of internal
improvements, and from all these occurrences had
lost nine ten millions within few years she was
still able to stand up and hold the banks to specie
payments notwithstanding she was surrounded on
all sides by rotten banking institutions. And all this
had been effected by the reduction of duties during
the last seven years. Mr.. Calhoun addressed the
Senate for more than two hours and when he con-
cuded
Mr.. EVANS obtained the floor, but declined speak
ing, in nsequence of the lateness of the hour.
The Senate then went into an Executive session,
and after some time spent therein, the doors were
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