The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-23


preme Court, and under the same regulations. VI
Sec. g.. find be IL further enacted, That here shall
be appointed in and for said district peron learned
IN The law, TO act as attorney OF The Unted States
for said district and also person to act as marshal
Of the United States for said district, each of whom
shall receive annual salary Of two hundred dol
lars, and also such compensation and fees for official
services have been may be provided by law for
the United States district attorneys aud marshas and
the Judge Of said court shall appoint clerk there
have been may be allowed by law TO clerks of the
district and circuit courts of the United States
The Senate proceeded TO consider the bill as in
committee Of the whole; when a sal fas
Mr.. SPElGHT observed, that, in a conversation
with the President last evening" 1t had been suggest-
ed that no provision was made for the appointment
Of collectors Of the revenue. 0
Mr.. WESTCOTT said that he had prepared an
amendment covering that ground.
Mr.. ASHLEY remarked that the Committee on
the Judiciary did not feel themselves authorized TO
make provision in the bill for the establishment Of
collection districts or post Offices. They had con-
fined themselves TO judicial districts. And this bill
was designed to be temporary in its operation, UNI
Ill one could be matured and presented in detail.
Mr. SPEIGHT said it was important that our
revenue laws should be extended over Texas, with
a view Of collecting the revenue Of tbs country.
There no collectors acting there under the a'i.
thority of the United States; and for this reason,
ticuar should he made without delay.
Mr.. WESTCOTT offered a fourth section
to the bill, drawn in nearly the same phrase-
ology "a that which was passed to operate over
Florida on her admission into the Union, hav-
ing reference to the collection of the revenue.
He said he had submitted this amendment be.
cause they were without knowledge as to the
proper points for establishing ports of entry
and in the absence of senators and representatives
from Texas, it appeared to him that 1t would not
be proper to make anything more than temporary
arrangement on the subject. II merely contempla-
ted that the President Of the United States should
temporarily organize such collection districts he
might think proper, and appoint collectors.
Mr.. HAYWOOD remarked that it would be
more difficult to amend the bill if it should be passed
into law, than to make a more extended provi.
sion at once. OF course he had no desire to delay
this natter but would rather expedite it as hastily
as il could be done. He did not feel any decided
repugnance to giving discretionary power to the
President to establish ports Of enuy--in other
words, to make laws; but by glance at the
stitution of Texas, he perceived that this power
was be transferred to the United States until
the State government was organized. The elections
in Texas had not yet taken place, and he thought
that they could mature proper laws to answer all
purposes, without the risk of being too hasiy.
With this view, he moved that the bill, with the
amendments, be referred to the Committee on Com
merce. He had no doubt, should this course be
adopted, that the committee would report at the
next meeting of the Senate. 4 a
MIR. WESTCOTT observed that, in his opinion,
Texas was in position to be subjected to the rev.
enue laws of the United States; and until collection
districts established, foreign vessel could not
enter her ports, and its goods could not be landed,
nor could clearance be effected. Merchandise
could not be entered at New Orleans and shipped
there, even if they had good conveyance. And he
repeated that his amendment only designed that the
arrangement proposed should be temporary until the
senators and representatives from Texas arrived
here, and made Congress acquainted with the
sites Of the country. No one could now say
what were the proper points for ports of entry; Of
this they were ignorant. He was opposed TO the
reference moved by the senator from North Caroll-
ma, because il would occasion delay; and he trusted
that the senator would see that his (Mr. WEsr-
corr's) amendment was merely designed a tenn
porary arrangement for the convenience Of the peo-
pie of Texas, and to carry out the measure of her
admission.
MI. HAYWOOD contended that there was no
absolute necessity that the bill should be passed to-
day. He made no profession Of confidence in the
President but willing that his acts should speak
for him but he stood here to oppose, unless there
actual necessity, the comforting of power on the
President to make Offices and continue Offices at
pleasure. That it was wrong to pass such provi-
sion in the of Florida, he would not say; there
might have been necessity for it. He meant how
ever to suggest to senators that there was neces
sity for such measure on this occasion. There
nothing that now demanded they should pass laws
because the country would suffer. The Senate after
its adjournment to-day, will not meet again until
Saturday; and during the hoydays, the committees
would devote their labors to maturing bill less linz
BILE TO objection, and which would doubtless answer
the purpose desired. Three days would not post
pone the matter for too long time. The question
involved important principles, and should not be
rushed through without moments time and refec-
ton. - t.
Mr.. DAVIS had no very decided choice-wheth-
er they should leave the power to the President or
legislate now. He did not think that three days
until the next session of the Senate) would make
much difference He rather felt inclined to spread
the legislation before the country than to confer the
authority on the Executive; it was more in confor.
nifty with the genious and character Of our govern
ment He rose chiefly to say that he did not think
there would be any inextricahle difficulty. 1t SEEM
ed to him, as matter Of course, that when State
was admitted, the laws of the United States were
extended over it.
Mr. WESTCOTT, as he did not wish to embar-
rass the question, would, if in order, withdraw his
amendment. I
Mr.. sPEIGHT hoped not, as he intended to sub
M. WEsTCOTT said TINT i, was his intention
to move instructions to the Committee on Com.
merce, on the subject-and thus effect his object.
Mr.. SPEIGHT then proposed to the senator
from Florida to modify the amendment, --that the
revenue laws be extended over Galveston, Brazos,
Corpus Christi, ect., as he understood these to be
the largest ports Of collection 7&
Mr.. BERRIEN trusted that the senator from
Florida would withdraw his amendment, and suffer
the bill reported from the Judiciary Committee to
be acted on. After it shall have been disposed Of
instructions could then, with proprety, be directed
to the Committee on Commerce and the Post Office,
TO establish collection districts and post offices.
Mr. WESTCOTT, az this mode was probably
best calculated to expedite business, Withdrew his
amendment. KS
Mr. NILES submitted an amendment, to the ef-
feet that, until further provision be made by Con-
gress, the President of the United States may and
Is authorized to-, establish post routes, and make
contracts Of temporary character for carrying
malls.
Mr. BERRlEN remarked that this amendment
was liable to the same objection as the other. He
hoped that the report Of the Judiciary Committee