Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-02-15
CONGRESS-.

OF :he United States to the Oregon territory, and
recommending that immediate possession be ,a-
ken Of it-peaceably if we can, forcibly if we
must. The resolutions were read and laid upon
the table. MIR. Tappan presented resolutions of
the Ohio Legislature in favor oil the erection of
free bridge over the Ohio river at Wheeling. Mr..
Evans addressed the Senate in reply to Mr.. Nc !
Dufhe's second speech, and In general discussion
of the merits Of the Tariff.
In the House, the Speaker announced the regu-
lar order OF business to be the reception Of petit
uons' and that the unfinished business Of the last
petition day was memorial presented by Mr..
beardsley from citizens Of Oneida county, New
York, asking Congress to repeal the law of 1898
In reference 10 fugtives from justice. Mr. Boards
ley said he had no wish to discuss it. The
House refused to receive the memorial.
On Tuesday, in tho Senate, Mr. White, of In
diana, presented joint resolutions from the India.
ma Legislature, asking appropriations to remove
distractions from the Wabash, hio, and Missis
si?pi rivers-also for a canal at the falls of Ohio
and lighthouse at City West. MIR Tappan
presented resolutions from the Ohio Legislature.
asking reduction Of the salaries of government,
othcers' as remedy for the mania for possessing
oihces MIR Borrien reported bill from the Ju-
dietary committee to amend the Judiciary act of
lIS9-also u bill to increase the salary of the
Judge for the Western and Middle Tennessee
district-and like bill respecting the Western
District of Virginia. The bill to refund the fine
imposed on Gen. Jackson was made the order of
the day for Thursday next.
In the House, Mr. Hammet, of Mi spoke a.
gainst the repeal of the rule concerning Abolition
petitions. On the motion of Mr. Dromgoole the
committee of the Whole were discharged from
the further consideration of the Report of the
Committee on Elections, and it was brought he
fore the House. The question was raised whe-
lher the members from the Four States elected by
general ticket should vote. Mr. Beardsley being
In the Chair decided that they had the right. An
appeal was taken from the decision Of the Chair,
on the ground that it was contrary to the rule
which forbids member from voting on his own
case, but the decision of the Speaker was sus
tanned, ~ to GO. There was grea, confusion
during the taking Of these votes The Reports
oil Tie majority and the minority Of the commit
tee were then read. The report of The majority
declares that the law Of the last Congress requir-
Ing the States to be dstrcted is unconstitutional
and the minority report declares that the mem
oers from New Hampshire, Georgia. Missouri,
and Mississippi have not been duly elected.
On Wednesday, in the Senate, Mr.. Atcheson
OF Missouri, presented the memorial of sixty or
seventy emgrants TO Oregon, who say they have
oeen driven from the territory by the Hudson's
bay Company. MIR. Buchanan presented a re-
monstrance from citizens Of PENNSYLVANIA a.
paInSt the anDeyatioD Of 'Hox,s 10 a..
Union. The Naval transfer bill was read third
uhe and passed. Mr.. Berrien presented the re-
solutions OF the Georgia Legislature in oppos-
"oh 70 'hose oil Massachusetts, proposing an a.
mehoment oil the Constitution so as to forbid
slave representation. The Georgia resolutions
declare that the proposed amendment would be
gross violation Of the compromises of the Con-
stlluton. Resolutions from the Indiana legisIa
lure asking an appropriation for completing the
Cumberland road were presented by Mr.. Hanne
gan. The Senate was addressed at great leno,b
ny Mr.. w Woodbury. in favor of free trade, and in
support of Mr.. McDuaie's bill.
In the House, Mr.. Elmer opened the argument
In opposition to the law of Congress for district
ing The States. lie said it was unconstitutional
because 1t was imperfect in its character. Con-
gress ought TO have laid of the districts. Mr.
beser, of Alabama, followed in support of the
law. ne SAID he could not be influenced by party
considerations. He regarded the law as sacred
as II 1t had been passed by any other than a
Wing Congress, and that the States were bound
by every consideration OF justice to carry out the
law and for not doing SO their representatives
ought to be rejected. He thought the law emil
nently necessary to protect the small States, by
rendering 1t impracticabe for the large States TO
act In solid Phaanx, would be the case under
the general ticket system. Mr.. Brown, of Tenn.
also supported the law in an able legal argument.
On Thursday, in the Senate, Mr.. Bates. of
Mass. called attention to the fact that when he
presented the resolutions Of the Massachusetts
Legislature asking amendment to the Consti-
tuition, he had moved to lay them on the table.
and have them printed, and that the Senate had
refused his motion so far as the printing was con-
ceTned Yesterday, he remarked that Senator
from Georgia had presented resolutions from his
Legislature, which the Senate had ordered to be
| printed, and which he had voted to print He
said he had not intended to utter a word more
upon the Massachusetts resolutions, and he should
i not have done SO, but for the inciden, which had
occurred. The Speaker asked him if he submit
ted any motion! No sir, none," replied Mr.
Bates, and the subject was dropped The bill TO
refund the fine imposed on Gen. Jackson was
passed over. Mr. Woodbury. continued his argu-
ment Mr.. McDufie's bill.
In the House, Mr.. Brown Of Tenn. closed his
argument in support Of the District law. Mr..
Beardsley of N. Y. followed in support Of the
right Of the members from the fonr States Tn ,be;r