The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-08-27


more acceptable.
Mr.. EVANS remarked that this very prorostion
had been rejected in the House and that the ques
ton now was, revenue bill, or revenue bill III
this amendment should be adopted Congress would
djourn without bill for revenue.
MIR. PRESTON did not concur in the opinion ex-
pressed by the Senator from Maine
MIR. CONRAD raised question whether it was in
order for the Senator from Virginia to submit propo
sition, which, although it was in the shape Of an
amendment was different bin entirely from that
which had passed the other House.
The CHAIR overruled the point of order.
MIR. SMITH, OF Connecticut was opposed to bill
for protection alone, but he would for hay
ing In view and aordng incidental protec-
ton.
Mr.. WALKER said that he would, under no cir
cumstances, vote for duty tea and coffee, pro-
posed by the amendment of the Senator from Virgil
ma. A tax upon those articles would strike severe
blow at the temperance reform, as they were very
pleasant substitute for spirtuous liquors and malt
drinks He then proposed to strike out the tax on
tea and coffee, and substitute therefor amendment
that there shall be collected three per centum ad
loren on gold and silver above the value of
hundred dollars but the tax shall not be collected
the gold and silver ware in the possession of
chants for sale. He said that according to the
turns OF the census of lS40 in hundred counties
where the information had been obtained more than
four millions Of the precious metals had been manu-
featured into gold and silver ware. In the remain
ing eleven hundred and sixty counties returns
made 1t was probable however, that, throughout
the Union, twenty millions of gold silver
appropriated to this purpose. Since he had agitaed
this subject it had gained friends and every day he
received letters in favor of this If he did not
succeed In his amendment now, he would continue
from time to urge its adoption.
Mr. PRESTON opposed the amendment. He said
that the tax would amount to the value of the ware
in the course of thirty years The proposition had
in view the wild notion of forcing specie currency
into circulation instead of leaving it to commerce,
the memorable laws of which would control matters
of this kind. After further remarks he con-
tended that tea and coffee were legitimate subjects Of
taxation.
Mr. WALKER made some further observations.
MIR. BENTON suggested to the Senator to change
the tax upon gold and silver ware from three and
half to one per cent.
Mr. WALKER accepted of the modification.
Mr. CRITTENDEN argued that the proposition Of
the Senator from Mississippi would occasion disagree
able domcliary visits by officers of the law besides,
but few hundred thousand dollars could be collect
ed under this tax, amount too inconsderable in
bill for revenue, and would no: than pay the
expense of collection
Mr. SIMMONS observed that he he had seen it
stated somewhere that guinea of gold could be
made to cover the whole world. Instead of four
millions of gold having been used in manufactures,
there not one-tenth of that amount Many
ticles having the appearance of gold, were merely
washed over with that material was the case
with the celebrated gold spoons.
Mr.. CRITTEND DEN delivered some further
marks and the question was taken on the amend
ment of Mr.. WALKER and it was decided in the ne
gative-yeas H. nays %, as follows
YEAS-Messrs. Allen, Benton, Buchanan, Cuth-
bert Fulton, Linn, Smith, of CT, Sturgeon, Tappan,
W. lker, Wright-ll.
Berrien, Calhoun, Choate Clayton, Conrad, Cla,s,
Crtenden, Dayton, Evans, Graham, Henderson,
Huntington, Merrick, Miller, Morehead, Phelps,
Porter, Preston, Rves, Simmons, Smith, of Indiana
Sprague Tallmadge, White-2S.
The question recurring the amendment of Mr..
Rives-
Mr.. ALLEN moved to strike out much Of it
relates to tea and coffee, and the question decid
ed IN the negative--yeas IS, nays24.
| The amendment of Mr. Rives was then rejected
| yeas 10, nays 81, as follows:
| YEAS-Messrs. Archer, Bagby, Calhoun, Cuth-
bert, Fulton, Henderson, King Mangum Nerrick,
Preston, Rives, Sewer, and Williams-l3.
| NAYS-Messrs. Allen, Bayard, Barrow, Bates,
Benton, Berrien, Buchanan, Choate, Clayton Con-
rad, Crafts, Crittenden, Dayton, Evans, Graham
Huntington, Linn, Miller Nnrehead, Phelps. Por-
ter Simmons, Smith, of Connecticut Smith, of In
diana, Sprague, Sturgeon, Tallmadge, White, Wood
bridge, Woodbury., and Young-31.
| Mr. MERRICK submitted substitute for the en-
tire bill-imposing twenty per cent. al palorem du-
tire. He said that his amendment similar to that
offered by MIR. Habersham in the House of Repre-
sentatives and would secure the distribution Of the
proceeds of the sales of the public lands among the
| several States
The amendment was rejected-yeas IL, nays &C.
| Mr.. SEWER submitted amendment, striking
out all after the enactng clause, and inserting sub
stitute imposing an ad vaLoren duty of twenty-five
per cent The amendment was rejected-yeas 81
nays 80 /,
| Mr. GRAHAM offered an amendment repeating
the sixth section of the Distribution act, (Which
contains proviso suspending the Distribution in
duties on imports go above twenty per cent)
| Mr. WRIGHT said that if this amendment should
| fhpV knpu vyUpO of
be ready to adjourn at If The two subjects Of
the and the lands should be again united no
revenue bill could be passed this session.
| The question was taken and the amendment was
| rejected-yeas 10, nays 80, as follows:
| YEAS.-Messrs. Archer, Barrow, Bayard, Clay
| ton, Crittenden, Graham, Mangum, Merrick White,
| Woodbridge-10.
| NAYS.-Messrs. Allen, Bagby, Bates, Benton, Ber-
ren, Buchanan, Calhoun, Choate Conrad, Crafts,
| Cuthbert, Evans, Fulton Henderson, King Linn
Preston, Rives, SEWER Smith of Connecticut, Smith
of Indiana Sprague Sturgeon, Tallmadge Tappan,
| Walker, Williams, Woodbury., Wright Young-30.
Mr.. CLAYTON submitted amendment, to
pend the ten per centum allowed to nine of the States
under the Distribution law and it was agreed to-
Various other amendments were proposed-some
| of which were adopted, and the remainder rejected.
Mr.. WOODBURY. submitted an additional section
| to the BILL viz
"All duties in this bill which on the first day of
JAM 1843, shall exceed the rate of fifty per cent of
the average value of merchandise it has been APP
praised at the custom house, during the year 1872
shall be reduced so not to exceed that rate until JAM
l845, when they shall be further reduced, so as
not to exceed thereafter the rate of twenty-five per
cent"
The amendment was rejected-Yeas Is, nays 25
After session of more than ten hours the Senate
adjourned without taking the question upon the bill
Journal,
Mr.. HOWARD, of Michigan, moved amend
ment to that portion of relating to the report from
the Committee on Public Lands. After some expla-
nations from Mr.. Howard Wise, &c., the amend
ment was ordered by the Speaker.
Mr. LEVY, by leave, introduced bill concerning