The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-27

,sburs hatcher Louisville PsduSsh, and Cleveland
any thousand collars.
Mr.. McCLELLAND took the floor; but yielded
Mr.. FIcKLIN, who gave notice Of an amend
ment which he Intended hereafter to offer
| Mr.. McCLELLAND said his object in address,
ing the committee not TO enter into general
speech, orto continue the discussion of yesterday,
| but TO plain the grounds which he intended to
offer two or three amendments which he should not
hereafter have the opportunity TO explain. He was
instructed by the Committee on Commerce TO offer
| an amendment, which he caused to be read, and
which provided for the refunding TO certain per-
sons therein specified Of duties collected contrary to
treaty stipuations subsisting between the United
States and Portugal
Mr.. p. KING gave notice that he should, when
offered, raise question Of order against these
| amendments on the ground Of irrelevaney.
| Mr.. MeCLELLAND (continuing) apprehended
there would be no difficulty the ground of order
in receiving these amendments, because they were
based on treaties subsising between the United
States and Portugal 1t was for the purpose Of put
ting IL into the power Of the present administration
TO carry out and fulfil these treaties Ii not for
the benefit Of these individuals mentioned, but for
the sake Of preserving the honor Of the country
He hoped therefore the gentleman from New York
would not object IL was al the urgent request OF the
Secretary Of State and the Secretary of the Treas
ury that the Committee on Commerce had passed
upon the amendment. He had the letters from
both these secretaries now IN his possession but
as he wished TO consume no more OF the time OF the
committee than was necessary, he would only ask
for the reading Of the letter Of the Secretary Of the
| Treasury
| THE letter was read by the clerk.
Now, the reason why this money had not been
refunded by the Secretary OF the Treasury, was that
he considered himself prevented by existing laws.
These excuses, collected at the present tme were
refunded; but under the construction which he
| placed upon the law Of Congress, he did not con-
slider himself authorized TO go back and refund du-
! ties collected previously. The Committee on Com
merce, taking into consideration all the facts pre-
sented by the Secretary of the Treasury, came to
the conclusion that It was just and proper he should
have this authority, and had reported accordingly;
and there was a proviso attached to the amendment
that he should not return the excess OF duties, un.
less it was right and proper for him so to do
Another amendment which he designed TO offer,
was to affect the amendment TO the civil and dlplo
matte appropriation bill Of 1914, in regard to in
spectors and other officers of the customs The
amendment to that bill Of 18th June, 1874, limited
the number Of these different officers to the number
then in the service. Since that, and during the pre-
sent session. this number had been extended and in
creased by the acts we had passed in regard to
Texas. Several applications also had been made
from Florida and elsewhere, for additional inspect
ors; but the committee, Notwithstanding the recon-
mendaton Of the secretary to make an increase Of
thirty, had come to the conclusion not to recommend
an increase, but the transferring Of them from one
point, where they could be spared, to others where
they were needed.
1.-THE amendment which he proposed, and the letter
| Of the Secretary, recommending this increase Of
| the number of inspectors, &c, were read by the
| clerk
| 1t would be perceived, Continued Mr. McCD
that the Secretary of the Treasury asks for the
power Of increasing the number Of these officers 10
| thirty. The Committee on Commerce, on rehec-
ton came 10 the conclusion, TO recommend such
IN he at Al IN
the other suggestion of the Secretary to give him
the power of reducing the number at one point and
increasing it at another. Upon the examination
which they had been able TO gve-and 1t was true
it was a mere cursory eNamnstion-they had been
convinced that there were many points in the
Union where the present number not necessary,
and this number being reduced, would give him the
power of increasing II at other points. The amend
ment which he proposed TO Offer lid not reduce the
number limited by the appropriation bill of 18th
June, lS44, and increased by the acts passed
in reference to Texas.
Both these amendments, he might remark, had
been shown to the chairman Of the Committee of
Ways and Means-from which committee they
should have come had time been allowed them for
their examination-and he concurred in the proprie
ty of both
If the chairman of the Committee of Ways and
Means, some other person did not, he would
offer another amendment TO strike out from line 492
to 1885, providing for increase Of surveys in the min
letter from the Commissioner of the General Land
Office showing its prupriety.
Mr.. ASHMUN here raised the point Of order that
il not in order to discuss amendments which
no; before the committee, but that the de-
bate should be confined to the pending amend
ment
Mr. McCLELLAND Not only that, but "the
state OF the Union generally" is under considera-
ton.
The CHAIRMAN was understood to say that it
had been the practice of the committee heretofore
to allow wide range Of debate pending amend
ments, and even the explanation Of amendments
which had not yet been offered, but strictly under
| the rule, until the various amendments disposed
Of the discussion of the pending one only was in
order
Mr.. McCLELLAND suggested to Mr.. A. that
he had now concluded his remarks, and wished only
the letter Of the Commissioner of the General Land
Office read and he should resume his seat. If, how
ever, he insisted upon the strict application Of the
rule, it would cut his friend Mr., STEWART off from
the discussion of the tariff, and he (Mr. McC.)
would submit to it.
Mr.. AsHMUN insisted upon the application of
the rule.
Mr.. McCLELLAND accordingly resumed his
seat, and the letter read.
Mr.. COLLAMER rose at this time Che said)
without previous preparation to reply to some of
the remarks of yesterday (of Mr.. PAYNE and Mr..
GRovER) He alluded to the intimate connection
between the tariff as the source of revenue, and the
appropriation bills which provided the mode Of its
| expenditure justification for his entering upon
this course of remark at present The argument of
the gentleman from Alabama, Mr.. PAYNE,l was
one he had so often repeated, and was presented with
such degree Of confidence that it required to be
answered II reminded him of the anecdoe Of the
reply of person when his parson asked him how
he liked his sermon Of yesterday. why" said he,
81 always did like that sermon" The fact was, he
(Mr, c. never did like that speech The gentle
man from Alabama contended that the idea that the
increase Of duties would work dminution of prices
was absurdity.
Mr. McCLELLAND here rose, and apoogizing
for nterruptng his friend from Vermont insisted
that the same strictncss of application of the rule
should be extended to the gentleman an had been to
him. He raised the question Of order, whether, on
the motion Of the gentleman from New York, Mr.
GROVER, the gentleman could 60 into the discus
sion of the tariff.
The CHAIRMAN remarked that il was very
ri cult 10 dra,n the trccsc line q ,uhch debate