Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-12-28
CONGR ESS.

CONGRESS.
In the Senate, Monday, Dec. 1e, Mr. McDufie
gave notice of his intention TO bring in bill to
revive the Compromise act, and modify the du-
ties on imports in accordance with the spirit of
that act. number Of memorials and petitions
were presented, and resolutions offered, chiefly of
local interest.
In the House. Mr. Steenrod gave notice Of his
intention TO Introduce bill making compensation
to Pension agents. Mr. Weller gave notice that
he would introduce bill 70 place upon the PEN
sion roll all who served in the Indian wars of the
West, anterior to the treaty Of Greenylle in
1875. Mr. Hunt submitted an amendment to the
Constitution declaring a person who has been
elected to the office of President, and has exer-
clsed the powers thereof, ineligible thereafter
MIR Hughes gave notice that at a future day he
would Introduce a bill 10 organize a government
for the Oregon territory. Some time was con-
snmed on proposition made by Mr. Frick to print
5000 copies Of the Presidents Message in Ger
man, which was finally laid upon the table. Mr.
Rhett asked leave to offer resolution directing
the Committee of Ways and Means to inquire in
to the expediency of reporting bill repeating
the Tariff act of 1912, and in lieu thereof i'm
posing maximum duty Of % per cent. on i'm
ports, &c. on the principle of producing revenue
only. Objection being made on the ground that
the resolution was not then in order, leave was
asked, and refused-yeas II, nays lO7. The re-
mainder Of the day was consumed in the ronsido-
ration Of Mr. Daviss resolution, directing the
Committee of Elections to inquire into the fact
whether the members returned from New Hamp-
shire, Georgia, Missouri, and Mississippi have
been elected according to the Constitution and
the law, and whether they are entitled to retain
their seats.
On Tuesday, in the Senate, Mr.. McDuffie re-
ported bill to revive the act Of the ID March,
1888, usually called the Compromise Act, and to
modify the existing duties on foreign imports, in
conformity with its provisions, as follows
BE ii enacied by the Senate and House of Repre-
scntatiUes Of The United States # .4merica in Con-
Sress assembled, That much of the existing
law imposing duties upon foreign imports as pro-
vides that duties ad valorem on certain commodi.
ties shall be assessed upon an assumed minimum
value, be and the Same is hereby repealed and
that said duties be hereafter assessed on the true
value of such commodities.
Sec: 2. find be IL further enacted, That in all
cases in which the existing duties upon any i'm
ported commodity exceeds thirty per centum on
the value thereof such duty shall be hereafter re-
duced to thirty per centum ad Ualorem
Sec. 3. find be IL further enacted, That from
and after the 3lst day of December next, all du-
ties upon foreign imports shall be reduced 10 25
per centnr; and from and after the 3lst Of De-
cember, 1914, TO 20 per centum ad UaIrem.
The bill was referred to the Committee on FL
nance.
The House, on the motion Of Mr.. Wise, enter
ed upon the reference Of the different parts Of the
Presidents Message to the appropriate commit
tees. MIR. Davis insisted upon his resolution be-
ing acted upon, but the House gave it the go-by.
On Wednesday nothing of interest transpired
in the Senate.
In the House, Mr. Houston introduced bill to
graduate the price Of the public lands in favor Of
settlers and cui,vators. The resolution of Mr..
Davis was adopted, directing the committee on e.
leetioDs to examine and report upon the certificates
OF election, or other credentials Of the members
returned to in this House, and that they en-
quire and report whether the several members so
returned have been elected according TO the Con-
stitution and law-yoas 14s, nays 32-Mr. Tay-
Tor voting in the negative. The resolution of Mr..
Barnard TO amend the Journal so as to insert the
Protest, coming up, the question was raised,
"Shall this resolution be received"-whicIi ques-
ton on the motion Of Mr.. Steenrod was laid on
the tabIe--yeas lI6, nays so.
The unfinished business Of Saturday was then
taken up, being the question of the reception Of
the memorial presented by Mr. Adams, from cti- |
zens OF New York, asking for such an amend |
ment of the Constitution as would divorce them
from all connexion with domestic slavery. The |
SDpakcr had dncido1 NJ Il
der the rule which excludes Abolition petitions,
and Mr. Adams had taken an appeal; but upon
more mature consideration the Speaker stated he
had changed his opinion. 1t was then moved
HAT the motion TO receive be laid upon the table
which was carried Mr. Adams then presented a
memorial against the admission Of any State into
the Union whose constitution tolerated slavery,
which the Speaker decided 10 be against the rule.
Mr. Adams then presented one from Illinois, pray