Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-02-19
TWENTY-sEyRNTn coSGREss--sd SESSION.
SENATE.

MIR. TALLxApcr presented memorial numerously
signed by citizens Of Troy, New York, asking reduc
ton of the pay of members OF Congress 70 ve dolars
per day. and their mileage to ten dollars TO: every hun
bred miles and for the Limitation OF the long sessions OF
Congress to the LIST day of May
Mr. Benton submitted n resolution, which was agreed
to- instructng the Committee the Library to inquire
what disposition ought to be made Of seventeen nun
dred and forty copies OF the Of $780, depose
j the library of Congress.
Mr. Clay remarked that, few days ago he intimated
his intention of submitting series oil resolutions 10 The
Senate on matters OF great public importance he rose
then fulfil that promise by presenting several resou
tons His object not press their consideration
then but 10 fix a suitable day for action on them he
had in this case other occasions before moving IN
matters grave importance consulted with some OIL MS
friends on the step So far as he had consulted with them
on this OCCASION there was general concurrence as 10
the proprety of OF the resolutions but on one or Two
Others there was diversity OF opinions buthe hoped that
when they came 10 be considered and after an inter
change of opinion full deberation The resolutions
would be made TO assume such form as would be accept
able 10 all sides He asked that the resolution mSh be
read and printed. The resolutions were then read as
follows
l. Resolved, That'it is the duty Of the General Co.
vernment for conducting its administration to provide
adequate revenue within the year to meet the cur
rentexpenses Of the year; and that any exPedient e.
Their by loan by Treasury notes. to supply IN time OF
peace deficiency of revenue, especially during sue
cessve years, is dnwise and must lead TO perncIous
consequences.
Z. heSOlCeU,
be obtained by duties foreign imports, without adopt
ing higher rate than twenty per cent provided for
in the Compromise Act which, at the time Of IFS pass
age, supposed and assumed as rate that would
supply q sufficient revenue tor an economical adm
nistration of the Government
g. Resolred, Therefore, That the rate Of duties on
foreign imports ought to be augmented beyond the
rate oftwenty cent SO rs to produce nett revenue
of twenty-six millions of dollars, twenty-five for the
ordinary expenses of Government, two for the payment
Of the existing debt, and two millions reserved
fund for contingencies.
e. Resolred That in the adjustment of tariff to
raise amount Of twentysix millions of revenue, the
principles of the Compromise act generally should be
adhered 10; and that especially maximum rate of nd
vaorem duties should be established, from which there
ought to be as little departure as possible.
s. Resolred That the provision in the act of the Elk.
ira Session, for the Distribution of the Proceeds Of
the Public Lands, requiring the operation of that act
TO be suspended, in the contingency of higher rate
of duty than twenty per cent ought to be repealed
g. Resoired, That it is the duty Of Government, at
all times but more especially in such
exists Of general embarrassment and pecuniary dis
tress abolish all useless institutions and Offices to
curtai all unnecessary expenses, and to practice rigid
economy.
a Resoired That the contingent expenses of,he two
Houses of Congress ought to be greatly reduced and
the mileage of members of Congress ought to be re-
guated, and more clearly defined
8. Resolved, That the expenses of the Judicial De-
parment of Government have of late years been great
increased,
9. Rcsolred That the diplomatic relations of the U
States with foreign powers have been unnecessarily
extended, during the last twelve years. and ought to
be reduced.
TO- Resolred That the ranking privilege ought 10 he
further restricted the abusive uses OF il restrained and
punished the postage letters reduced the mode of
lima,ing distances clearly defined and prescribed
and small addition TO postage made on books pam
phles and packages transm TIED BY the mail be gra-
duatcd and increased, according TO their respective
weights
1lTResolrcd, That the Secretary of State of the
Treasury, of the War and of the Navy Departments,
and the Postmaster General, be severaly directed,
soon as practicable to report what Offices be abo.
lshed and what retrenchments Of public expenditure
be made without public detriment, the respect
branches Of the public service under their charge
Mr. CLAY to suggest day for the consideration
ofthe resolutions, in doing which he would be happy
accommodate that motion to the suggestion Of any
Der of the Senate. He suggested this day week if il
would meet the appreciation Of the Senate.
Mr.. CALHOUN remarked that the resolutions were OF
the Importance and should be fully examined
and acted upon with great deberation He to
suggest the propre,y of dsposng Of the resolutions
as TO afford to Senators opportunity Of dscu ssng
them doubly if they thought it necessary lie would,
therefore suggest that the Senate would the day pro-
posed for their consideration, resolve itself into Com
mttee Of the Whole the State of the Union to con.
slider them. The resolutions, he believed, for
entire change Of law, violation of the Compro-
mise act and went for increasing the burdens the
retsenchOent
be made in the expenses of The Government, all
the subjects proposed for action should be discussed
with great elaboration. He would, when the day
rived for the consideration of the resolutions make the
motion indicated.
Mr.. CLAY not opposed 10 n thorough examina.
ton Of the resolutions lie believed the double cons
deration unnecessary, inasmuch the measures
would come up before The Senate in the form of bills
il the objects met the appreciation OF the Senate; but
he had objection to consider the resolutions in both
the characters ntimuted by the Senator from South
Carolina. He did not wish to anticipate discussion on
the resolutions at that me but when they fairly
before the Senate he believed he could show to the
satisfaction Of all sides Of the Senate that the resou-
ton on the rate of duties violation Of the Com.
promise act or of its spirit, but was only carrying
the principles of that act He had objection to
slider the resolutions in committee.
On this motion the resolutions postponed till
Thursday week next and ordered to be printed
The resolution submitted by Mr. kINo, proposing
fix the Both day of May next for the adjournment
Congress sine die, came up for consideration.
MIR. KING made some remarks showing the import
Of passing such resolution, and sending TO the
House; conte nding that if it was not DONE action on
the business Of the most importance TO the country
would be proscrastnated and at last be totally neglect
ed by the discussion of matters OF public import
ance. If day fixed for the adjournment, the lie.
gislaton would be shaped with reference to that day
useless debate would be prevented and the business OF
the nation would be fully and better attended to;
but if day was not fixed, they would 60 in the
usual way of discussing small matters, and thus pro.
crastnate action the important business, and extend
the session to indefinite period The sessions, he
sad had become almost perpetual-had become great
burden TO the people, and public nuisance. He for
one wanted to go home and attend to of his pri-
vae AFFAIRS which had suffered total neglect by these
protracted sessions
MIR. CLAY made some remarks in opposition to fixing
day for the adjournment far in advance of the time
proposed in the resolution He wished to see the i'm.
potnnt public business disposed Of before any period
fixed for the adjournment. He could not see the
slightest advantage or utility in the movement, and
therefore moved to lay the resolution the table.
Mr. HENDERSON said he would vote against the mo-
ton His own conviction was, that if early day for
the adjournment was fixed, great good would result
from it, The sessions, he said, protraced, that
he had hardly time to get home before it time
return 1t time, he thought to arrest these inter-
nnabe and everlasting debates, which had got to be
great nuisance The most efectua way TO do it, was
FIX iha dav adj md fha