The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-01-04
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Black, deceased) from the Somerset and Cambria
district in Pennsylvania Mr. Russell was then duly
qualified by oath, and took his seat.
Petitions were presented by Messrs. LANE and
kElM.
Mr. STUART gave notice Of bill, the subject of
which not heard
Mr. COWEN wished to present resolutions of the
Legislature of Ohio, but was interrupted by
MIR. l.. w. ANDREWS, who called for the orders
Of the day.
DEBATE on THE REFERENCE OF THE TARIFF.
Mr.. w COST JOHNSON commenced his re-
marks by declaring himself in favor of referring the
subject TO the Committee on Ways aud Means for rea-
sons some OF which had been assigned by other gen
tlemen who had preceded him, and some of which
had not yet been presented, reasons connected with
the state Of the Treasury and the peculiar condition
of affairs at this time In the debate which had Ia
ken place on this subject, ground had been ia
ken, and new issues had been made, TO which he OBJ
jected During the last regular session of Congress
"a year ago. when this subject was incidentally
brought up, but one gentleman on this floor had raised
his voice in favor Of a protective tariff. (rhis was
Mr.. Lincoln, of Massachusetts, the predecessor of
MIR. Huntington) AT that time another gentleman
from Massachusetts Alr. Cushng) had declared that
his constituents did ask for further protection did
not desire high tariff.
The report OF the Secretary Oft Q Treasury showed
deficit of $l4000000. He belle led il would prove
ultimately TO be S20,000,0 C0 This was reason
with him for referring the whole subject of revenue
and discrimination 10 the Committee of WAYS and
Means The appropriations, moreover wh.cA were
under the direction of that committee must be regua-
ted by the consideration of the amount of revenue
He xious that the revenue question should be
the first acted on this session. that the House
might e able to regulate their votes by this conside-
ration lie was opposed 10 the exclusive protection
of manufactures. He did not believe that there were
any conflicting interests in the country either bewee
classes or sections, but he would not gsale in favor
Of others He went, however, in favor of retaatory
duties, for the benefit of the tobacco interest.
He spoke about hour and three quarters and
concluded with some remarks on the results of the
recent elections in Maryland and else here
Mr.. J. G. CLARK moved the previous question
nreacing with some remarks, stating that the
could not be considered smotheriDg debate on this
subject inasmuch as would come upregulaly for dis
cussion, when the committee reported. As pend
ing it blocked legislation and il secure prompt
action that he now moved the previous question.
Mr.. CLIFFORD moved call OF the House
which was ordered, without division.
The roll having been called, 100 members answer
ed to then and the list Of absentees being then
called, eight answered, being 1873 in all, present
within the bar.
The remaining absentees being called,
Mr.. LEWIS WILLIAMS moved that Mr. Bolts
Cries of No, and Head him')
The House refused to excuse him, by large ma
jority.
Messrs. GERRY and LITTEFIELD were ex-
cused, being absent on account Of sickness in their
families.
Mr. HOWARD was excused on count of sick.
ness
Mr. LEWIS WILLIAMS moved to suspend the
lca
The House voted to suspend it,
Mr. LEWIS WILLIAMS asked Mr.. J. c. Clark
to withdraw the previous question, to permit him to
make single remark. He would renew the motion
when he had done.
MIR. J. G.. CLARK withdrew il accordingly, with
that understanding
Mr.. L. WILLIAMS said that he wished TO call at
tention to the fact that this merely question of
reference, and had nothing to do with the final decis-
ion Of the tariff question. The report Of the commit
tee would not settle the question, but would leave
members perfectly free TO vote for the tariff bill or
not, according as they were satisfied with the duties
imposed. He should vote for reference to the
Committee on Manufactures
Mr.. FILLMORE would modify the original resou-
ton, according to the suggestion formerly made by
the gentleman from Ohio, (Mr Mason, that much
of the Message relates to discriminating duties on
domestic manufactures be referred to the Committee
on Manufactures.
Mr. UNDERWOOD asked whether il would not
be now in order to move an amendment and make a
speech on it, He thought the previous question
could not apply to the resolution since it was mod-
fed
The SPEAKER decided that no amendment could
be admitted The previous question still pend
ing.
On the seconding Of the previous question,
TeIlers being ordered, Messrs. Hopkins and Sol
ers were appointed.
On secondng Of the call for the previous question:
the teers reported SO in the affirmative and SO in tho
negative:
The SPEAKER then gave his casting vote in the
affirmative So the call for the previous question
seconded.
On the question Of ordering the main question,
there were--yeas l0l, nays 81 So the main cues
ton ordered to be now put.
MIR. RHETT then Withdrew his amendment to
Mr.. Athertons amendment.
~ air t,aoti,,p hap H. NJ
Athertons amendDent referrng the tariff to the Com
mittec Ways and Means.
Mr.. BRIGGS suggested that, under the rules,
this question, as choice Of committees for reference
not in the nature Of AMI amendment and that the
question on the Committee Manufactures must
have precedence.
The SPEAKER decided that the question must be
taken on the amendment in the usual way
On the question Of the amendment there were
yeas So, nays l04.
So the House refused to refer the subject of the
Tariff to the Committee of Ways and Means
MIR. FIILMORES resolution, to refer the subject
to the Committee on Manufactures, was then adopted
without division.
MIR. BRIGGS moved the House do now adjourn
but withdrew it, while
The SPEAKER presented communication from
the Treasury Department on the Coast Survey
On the motion to print it, Mr. ADAMS made some
remarks mot heard) and moved to print addition
al number Of copies. Passed.
MIR. FILLMORE urged that the House should i'm
medately pass the remaining resolutions referring
the different portions of the Message to the appropr
ate committees. 1t could be done in few minutes,
and was important to the public business.
The next resolution being read,
Mr.. THOMPSON, of Mississippi, moved TO adj
journ.
MIR. FILLMORE asked for the yeas and nays
which were ordered.
The vote having been partly taken, Mr.. TnoMpsoN
withdrew the motion to adjourn.
The resolutions referring the plan Of finance to the
Sfhct Committee on that subject-the bject of the
Amy and the Notifications to the Committee on
Military Alta rs--,he Navy, the National Foundry
the Smithsonian bequest the Post Office ami the
District OF Columbia, to the appropriate committees,
were then passed without DIVISION
On motion of Mr.. COOPER, those portions of the