The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-06-06
TWENTY~NINTH CONGRESS-

SENATE. TUESDAY, May 2d. The bill
TO provide for the adjustment land claims,
principally the Spanish grants)m Louisiana,
Mississippi, Missouri, Arkansas and Alabama,
was taken up, and after being amended was
ordered to bc cngrosscd for third reading.
The hour of one having arrived, the SEN
ate, on motion ofMr Dix, proceeded to the
special orders aud took up tie hill supple
me ntary tn the act providing for the prosccu
ton of the existing war with Mexico.
The pending question being on the amend
ment offered yesterday by Mr. Atchison, re.
curing the discharge of the Two major gener-
ais and four brigadicr generals, provided for
IN the first section, ms soon as the war was oV-
er-Mr Dix briefly opposed the amendment
as an act Of gross injustice, and explained The
necessity which exists in the increase OF the
number ofgenerals in consequence otthe IN
crease ofrank and file.
MIR Morehead very briefly opposed the first
section ms il stood, and was unwilling To give
the President power 10 place citizens who
have seen no service over the heads OF offlc-
ers who have devoted life time 10 itand paid
high tribute TO General Taylor, whole said
had acquired the sobriquet of "Oid Rough
and Ready for his recent brilliant exploits.
If the increase should be authorized, he
was for directing the Prcsidcntto make the
|
| gtIishcd themselves IN the war, and not from
citizens, who might perhaps be mere parti-
Fans, and totally unfit for the station.
Mr. Miller moved TO amend by striking ou'
the amendment proposed by MIR Atchison,and
inserting in lieu thereof n proviso that the
officers shall be selected from the army-and
supported his amendment in a very neat and
appropriate speech.
| Mr. Allen followed in opposition TO the a
mcndments. He considered that ofNlr Atch
ison ineNpedient, and that OF Mr. Miller un
constitutional. lie wanted to nationalizc the
army, and to leave il TO the President TO Sc
lcct the officers.
Mr. Benton spoke in opposition to the a
mendmcnt of his colleague. Tie was oppos
cd to appointing temporary generals, ant
pointed out the difficulties which would n
rise from it,
He was in favor of leaving tho appoint
mcnts in the hands of the President, no
doubling that he would select those wht
should distinguish themselves in the field o
show in other WAYS their Military skill.
Mr. Johnson, of Md, moved TO amend b,
excepting from the proviso to discharge n
the end ofthe war, all those who might b
selected from the line ofthe army, and mad
some remarks in support ofhis amendment
MIR Cass advocated the bill, and oppose'
the amendment offered by MIR Atchison. III
would not object to an amendmentto reduc
the officers at the end oftho war, to the mum
Der now in service, which would leave II t
: the President TO retain those whose service
would best entitle them to it.
The debate was continued by Messrs n lhe'
D Allen, Crittenden, Simmons, and Websel
l until near four o'clock, when, without actin
upon any of tho amendments, the Senat
t won't into Executive session and afterward
adjourned,
The President has nominated General Tal
Q lor to the Senate, as breyct Major General, Z
: a reward for his brilliant exploits on the ri
:, Grande. The nomination gives great sati
faction and was Immediately confirmed
Executive session.
: The House took up the civil md diploma
J; c bill, and all amendment was adopted Il
u providing, a hospital at Pittsburg and anoth'
at NatcheE.
MIR Grover denounced the whole system {
: marine hospitals, which he denominate
. 'poor houses, "and moved to strike out ever
- thing in tho bill relating TO them.
, Mr. Payne was opposed to supporting tho'
: 'poor houses" at the expense of the Cover
: ment He then got upon the tariff questio
:, and denounced the inactivity ofCongress
= having done nothing to reduce il, beyond r
= porting bill which had slept quetly-far tC
=. quietly---in committee ofthe whole.
He denounced the national fair, for the pu