Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-03-21
CONGRESS.

front OF the Capitol IN the morning, and the firing
had made such sad havoc with the window glass
in the Capitol that the chamber was unco,nforta-
BILE. Mr. Bayard, from the Committee on Naval
Affairs, reported bill in relation to the memorial
Of the widow Of Com. Porter asking for a pen.
sion, &c. Mr. Archer presented a memorial from
the Rail Road companies Of Virginia asking that
Railroad iron may BIO admitted free Of duty.
In the House, resolution was offered by Mr.
Moore, of Ohio, to fix on the 2ist day of the pre-
sent month to discuss the Tariff bill reported
from the Committee Of Ways and Means, and to
continue to act upon the same from day to day
until disposed of. The previous question was
moved, but not sustained. A motion was also
made to lay the resolution upon the table, which
was rejected. Mr. Black then moved to amend
the resolution, as to require that the bill should
not be taken out Of committee before the fourth
Monday IN May, (the time when the Van Buren,
Convention meets in Baltimore! y A scene of
confusion here followed, in the midst Of which
the House adjourned.
On Tuesday, in the Senate, Mr. Buchanan of
Penn. delivered his views on the resolution to
give notice to the British Government to put an
end to that article of the treaty of 1918, which
provides for joint occupation of the Oregon ter
ritory. He was in favor Of the resolution. MIR.
Crittenden of KY, followed, for the purpose of
showing that it was inexpedient 10 consider the
subject at this time, for the reason that it was a.
bout to become, lift had not already become, a
subject of negotiation.
In the House, the principal question Of interest
was the proposition to abolish the Military AGA
denny at West Point, and appropriate the money
thus expended to the instruction of the Militia of
the States. Mr.. Hunt of N. Y. addressed the
House in opposition to the proposition, and was
followed by Mr.. Seymour of Conn.,, and Mr.. Hun
gerford, of N. ". in its favor. Mr.. ]. r. Inger-
| soil continued the debate in defence of the Aca-
DENY.
On Wednesday in the Senate some time was
spent on the bill from the House making appro-
priations for the support of the Indian depart
ment.
In the House, the morning hour was taken up
by discussion the Rhode Island question.
MIR Dromgoole obtained leave to report back
bill introduced some time ago by Mr. Payne, on
leave, to repeal the Distribution act and which
had been referred to the Committee of Ways and
Means. On reporting the bill, MIR Dromgoole
fer it to the Committee of the Whole, on the
ground that its importance demanded thorough
discussion before it was disposed of. The pre-
vious question, however, was ordered on its en-
grosSment, and the bill finally passed, before the
close of the day, by the application of the same
gag.
On Thursday, Mr. Berrien reported from the
Judiciary Committee bill to amend the law now
In iorce for collecting, keeping and discussing
the public money. Mr. Haywood of N. G. re-
ported number of bills proposing to make
wholesale reduction in the salaries of public off,
GERS from the President down, except members
Of Congress.
In the House, the Rhode Island question was
again under debate. The remainder Of the day
was spent chiefly upon the proposition to abolish
the Military Academy.
On Friday, in the Senate, the bill from the
House to repeal the Distribution act, was laid on
the table, where it is doomed to "sleep the sleep
of DEATH"
In the House, the West Point Academy bill
was dist o'ed Of by rejecting the amendment pro-
vding for its discontinuance, and striking out the
appropriation Of $4,000 for erecting additional
barracks. In this form the bill was finally en-
crossed and passed.
On Saturday the Senate did not sit.
In the House, Mr. Simonton of Conn., present.
cd resolution for adoption, proposing that the
power given TO the Clerk to give jobs TO whom
he pleases for Autographs. maps, drawings &c.
should be Withdrawn, and that the same should
be referred to select committee. The PROPOSE
ton was opposed by Mr. Steenrod, when the fol-
lowing startling facts were given as reason for
adopting the resolution. 1t was stated that Con-
gress for the four years past had paid $4,000
for photographic printing, and tina. the whole
would not be worth $4,000. A great many Of
those maps were now piled up in the Capitol, and
they had been published for no purpose bat to
give jobs to members. The sum of $I4OO had
been given for map which the map maker had
received but $50 for perfectng; $25OO had been
paid for another map, for which only Sl25 was
received by the eDgraver; $4,000 had been paid for
another map, and the engraver had received but
$50; $1,000 for another, and the eDgraver had $50
for the work. For what the Government had
paid Sl3,75O, 1927 had been received by the en-
gravers. OF $4,000 paid, 1926, 900 had been
thrown away. Mr. Simonton characterised these
transactions as rascaIly and unjusihable. The
Resolution was adopted.
Al the commencement Of the Medical College
in Richmond held on the lth inst, the degree Of
Doctor Of Medicine was conferred on twenty -four
young gentlemen, students Of the institution. A.
tDong the number we observe the name OF Mr.. b.
+. WALKER, Of Augusta.
ga letter from Washington, noticing the