The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-05-27
CONGRESS-.

lug reductions III the pay oil meilpe's W W"
grpss, and other plans Of reform, moved that
the committee be discharged from further con-
sideraton Of the subject, as il had made reports,
in part, in conformity with the prayer Of The pc
TONERS
Mr.. Levy offered resolution calling for cor
respondence respecting the Florida war. The
resolution was adopted.
A resolution from the Select Committee APP
pointed for the investigation of alleged fraud IN
certain transactions OF the Commonwealth
Bank of Boston with the Government, gave
rise TO a prolracted discussion. The object oil
the resolution was TO empower the committee
TO send for persons and papers. II was finally
agreed 10.
The House then, at a much later hour than
usual, went into Committee Of the Whole, and
took up the Army Appropriation bill. The
pending subject of debate was the amendment
enacting gradual reduction Of the Army. Mr..
Gushing argued al length against the reduction,
proving from minute examination OF details
the absolute necessity Of retaining the Army al
its present number, for manning forts and posts,
and Tor keeping under check the large number
of Indians inhabiting our Western frontier.
These duties he showed 10 be sufficient to em-
ploy the whole Army at present IN existence,
without reference to the mpocy OF choosing
this critical moment for the reduction OF its mum
bers. The abuses existing IN the Army com
mented on by Mr. Mckay, he said, are no argu-
ment for the diminuton of its numbers. The
abuses could exist in an Army Of 6,000 as well
as in the actual Army Of 10000. Let the
abuses BE- corrected
After an elaborate speech, he was followed
by Mr.. GlLMER, in reply, who advocated reduc-
ton, on the ground that our dependence in war
must be on the militia; that regular Army is
wanted 10 man posts, &c. in peace, and form a
nucleus round which the militia could form IN
war, and that smaller Army i, amply suitl-
cent for all the purposes required in peace from
a regular Army.
In the Senate, Mr.. MILLER presented three
petitions from Sussex county, New Jersey, pray
ing that Congress will revise the tariff with a
view to the protection Of commerce, agrlcul-
ture, and manufactures.
Mr.. TALLMADGE presented memorial from
Onondaga county, New York, asking for re-
vision of The tariff, to protect the domestic IN
dustfy of the country; and also that the ques-
ton Of the currency may be settled on the basis
Of the Exchequer plan.
MIR. MANGUM, from the Committee on Printing,
reported against printing memorial from citizens OF
Boston, which had been referred to it, asking for
tprnational COW right law
Mr.. PRESTON trusted that, at distant day
they would bave the action of Cjngr, on this
subject, and that it would he favorable to an
internal ona COPYRIGHT law. The example had
globe, including the German States and Italy,
With this example before them, and with the crying
evils which the literary men OF the country expert
enced for the want of such law, he hoped that the
Judiciary Committee would report law upon the
subject In the meantime, this able memorial should
be printed for the use Of the Senate, and his object
in rising was To make this suggestion.
Mr.. BUCHANAN presented petition from the
manufacturers of chemicals residing in the city of
Philadelphia who stated that the tariff bill projected
by the Secretary Of the Treasury proposes to impose
duty Of fifteen per cent, ad yalorem quicksilver
imported while tile manufactured article will pay but
twenty per cent They therefore ask either that the
quicksilver shall come in free of duty hereafter, or
that the duty the manufactured article shall be
HANGED also petitions from Chester county, Pennsyl-
vania, praying for pi effective tariff.
On the motion of Mr.. BAYARD, it was resolved
that the report of the select committee in relation to
the employment of corps OF reporters made on the
9Th of September, lS4l be referred to select com
mittee of five, to be appointed by the President pro
Mr.. GRAHAM from the Committee on Claims,
reported without amendment the bill for the relief of
the legal representatives of John Barnes, deceased
Mr. WALKER moved that the Senate proceed to
the orders of the day.
Mr. PRESTON said that he would be greatly graf
flied if the Senate would take up the bill proposing
to incorporate scientific institution in this city, on
the ruins of one that formerly existed The gentle
men who composed il held property, and they wish
ed 10 be secured in its possession as an incorporated
body. The object Of the enterprise laudabe
one, and the bill merely proposed a revival OF the
Columbian Institution, which existed for thirty years
He moved that the orders be postponed, and the bill
be taken up
Mr. WALKER believed that his mo,ion was the
first in order He would withdraw it, if it were not
Tor the TACT that several Legislatures had been con-
yened, and were waiting ol the action OF Congress
the Apportionment bill; and he therefore thought
that the bill ought not to be delayed to give place 70
any other subject.
Mr.. ALLEN hoped that the Senate would pro
coed to the consideration of the special order.
The bill was then taken up when
Mr.. BAYARD renewed the motion which he pro-
posed yesterday to fill up the blank in the hi as
to make "A 507 the ratio of representation, which
would give to the House two hundred members, inde-
pendently of any number of members which may be
added by fractions.
The CHAIR remarked that the proposition could
not be entertained, as the amendments of the Jud
ciary Committee must first be disposed Of,
Mr. WALKER was of the opinion that the pro.
position of the Senator from Delaware the first in
order.
Mr. KING thought that the Chair strictly cor
rect but he supposed that, by unanimous consent,
the question might be taken on the amendment pro-
posed.
Mr. ALLEN suggested that each Senator send to
the Chair the ratio which he desired should be adopt
ed. They could then take up the propositions in or
der, beginning with the highest number first and in
that manner they could arrive at conclusion which
would more likely approximate equality OF represen-
taton than in any other way
Mr., BAYARD said that that was, substantially
what was desired.