The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-01-16
FOREIGN AyfAlRs.

MT Z. J. lNGEkSOlL int oduced bill regulat-
ing the allowances Of extra fees Of Secretaries Of
Legation and Consuls which referred TO the Com
mtiee Of the Whole, and printed
Also, ball for the relief OF Seth Swiizer, which
was referred TO the Committee Of the Whole and
| printed.
| MIR HARDIN, from the Committee the Post
Ofhce and Post Roads introduced joint resolution
authorizing the Postmaster General TO make con
tracts, with railroad companies, for carrying the
mail, without advertising
MIR HOPKINS explained and said the object Of
ihe resolution was 10 give the Postmaster General
oniy authority so Tar as to prevent the Department
IRON being imposed upon by railroad companies,
where there no competition in their bids should
be too high so as To give him time TO employ coach
| service This was the object Of the resolution.
/ Mr. HARDIN said that the object of the resolu
ton was simply to give the Postmaster General the
authority to prevent his Department from being. i'm
! posed upon by railroad companies where there IS no
! competition, and nothing more.
The question then required upon the engrossmen
and reading of the joint resolution, when
Mr. HARALSON objected to the resolution, as il
was worded because in some sections of the country
there was competition, and the routes should be ad
yertised for the lowest bidder
Mr.. HOPKINS said IT was not his intention TO be
understood as giving to the Postmaster General the
power OF dispensing with advertising for the lowest
bidder on routes where there competition, but
| on those routes where there competitions and
hoped the explanation would satisfy the gentlemen
Directing to the phraseology of the resolution,
The resolution was then modified SO To make
| 1t unexceptionable aud read.
MIR. HARRISON said the resolution as modified
would not cover his objections, because it was left
discretionary with the Postmaster General to apply
1t to all railroads, without designating them He then
moved TO re commit the resolution, so as to deprive
the Postmaster General of the authority Of accepting
any bid except the lowest, where there is compe
| tlion
Mr.. HARDIN rejoined, and hoped the resolution
would not be re-commted; and argued against the
objections urged by Mr.. HARRISON. lie said the OBJ
Ject oi The resolution was to accomplish what the
gentleman desired
MIR. HARALSON said there was no difference in
their opinions, but he did think the object would
be attained BY the wording Of the resolution, and
| hoped II would be re-commtted.
The question then required upon re-committng,
ardh was decided in the affirmative.
MIR. HOLMES offered resolution calling for the
printing OF 5000 copies of House document in rea-
ton to commercial treaties, which agreed to.
Mr.. SMITH, of Illinois, moved suspension OF
inc rules TO allow gentlemen to offer bills which
was disagreed to-
Mr. SMITH then asked the consent Of the House
to present bill establishing port Of entry at
Chicago.
Mr. SMITH then attempted to present another
BILL but il was objected to by tho House
Mr.. HUBBELL, Of New York, presented pc.
tlhon of Gen. ~ V. knickerbacker and 5l2 citizens
OF Seuben county, for the reduction Of the rates Of
postage.
Mr. ADAMS then called for the orders of the day,
and asked the Chair what the first business in
order?
The SPEAKER replied that the first business in
order was the reconsideration of the resolution in
structing the Committee Of Ways and Means to re-
port bill for the Improvement of the
WESTERN WATERS.
Mr. BOWLlN then took the floor and in a most
clear and forcibe manner pointed out the necessity
OF the Improvement Of the Western waters, depict
ing, IN most aiiectonate manner the wanton loss of
lie on the Mississippi river for the want of aid from
this Government, which vas purely national in its
character and entirely different from the other rivers
OF the country. lie gave statistical view of the
gradual increase of the commerce on the Western
waters and the vast importance that would accrue to
the Government by the improvement and particular
y the Mississippi river, and which would prevent the
destruction of human life
Mr. J. X. lNGERSOLL said that he was one of
the Committee OF Ways and Means and he was moi
aware That The Committee had come TO the conclu-
sion mol 10 report appropriation for the Mississippi
river. ~
Mr. BOWLIN said it was the street rumor.
MT WELLER said the Chairman of the Commit
tee of Ways and Means had stated that fact
Mr. }. X. lNGERSOLL said, if so, he would move
an amendment in the House to embrace the Misss-
sipp river.
The SPEAKER here sad that the hour of the
gentleman from Missouri had expired and no collat-
eral question could be debated.
Mr. STUART, OF Pennsy lvania next took the
moor, and spoke TO Bunconbe, painting, in glowing
colors the advantages Of the Tariff and the American
system to the country He said those gentlemen
who called themselves strict constructionists were
willing TO yield their constitutional scruples upon
the subject OF internal improvements so as to make
appropriations 10 distractions in the M,sss-
slppi river. IL they yielded that point they mus,
yield the whole, because the principle would be the
same, no matter whether they appropriated money
Tor one river or another. This was thrown out as a
bait to the West TO favor Mr.. Van Buren,; which
was exemplihed by the declaration OF Mr. Holmes
who called upon the West TO 90 with the South TO
put Gown the Tariff, and he would 20 with the West
IN voting liberal appropriations for Western i'm
provemeuts.
Mr.. HOLMES explained, and said-for cons,itu.
honal objects.
Mr.. STUART said, If you have the power TO inn
prove one you have the power TO improve all the ri
yers. lie believed the Constitution had given ample
powers 10 embrace every section Of the country and
| he was glad to see gentlemen coming forward and
| yielding one point which would embrace the whole
| IN constitutional point of view He drew a com
| parison between the expenses Of MIR. Van Burcn's
administration and that OF MIR Adams and said
while the expenditures of Mr.. Adams's administra
ton only amounted TO hotire millions Mr.. Van b.
rens had swollen to the enormous amount Of fhirtu
millions but now we are told by the peculiar friends
OF that gentleman, that there must be rctrenchment
and reform. II was high time should come from
| that side Of the House
| Mr.. MCCONNELL. The gentleman has told
lies enough to sink any Republic on the face Of the
| earth.
Mar. ). then reviewed the operations Of the tariff
upon The Industry Of the country, and said the much
abused tariff Of the lat Wing Congress had added
life to the country, and enabled the Government To-
pay large portion of the pulic debt created by M.
| Van Buren,.
! Mr.. CAVE JOHNSON called the gentleman to
order for ire eysncy
The SPEAKER said the gentleman mast confno
himself to the subject.
| MIR. 3. resumed, and said other gentlemen had al
In.e "a, he art0 mi obi .ho