The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-08-08
Closing Debate in Senate on Nc
Kay's Tariff Bill.
Correspondence of the Tribune.


WAsHNGToN, July 2Sth IS46-5P. NJ.
The scene i'll the Senate, this morning. was
highly interesting. 1t was the vindcation Of
an absent aud honorable Senator against the
shameful attack upon him by the organ Of Mr.
Polk. Almost as soon as the Senate bad as
semhed, Mr. Benton rose and bore testimony
to the character and conduct of Mr. Haywood
IN hlS resignation.
Mr. Maugum followed and reioiCed that the
Senator from Missouri had borne testimony
10 tb" character of his late colleague against
the shameful attack of'the Executive organ.
The next business Of importance coming
up was the Tariff Bill under the shape ola
Report from the Finance Committee. The
committee consists of Messrs Lewis, Evans,
Benton, Reyerdy Johnson, lin place of Jer-
ness and Speight--majority loco.
The Committee met this morning at o.
clock, and resolved, without examination. ,o
ask TO be discharged from the consideration
ofthe Instructions given them Yesterday, by
a minority Of the Senate.
Mr. Lewis reported the bill, and said they
could do nothing with the instructions ofthe
Senate. They could not understand what
raw materials meant.
Mr. Evans said they had not attempted to-
comply with the instructions. They did not
know whether they could do it or nOttilI they
tried.
Mr. Revcrdy Johnson followed TO the same
effect.
Mr. Benton said That This vote on asking to
be discharged was to he the test vote. He
stated this from his place, that every man may
know it.
He called upon every man to stand upto
the rack. lie said he told every senator dat
this would he Il test. Let them all know it,
Mr. Huntington said that this was an extra
ordinary Misunderstanding to comply with
the instructions of the Senate. There is rot
man on the Committee who could not in
haitian hour comply with the most important
part of the instructions.
MIR Speiglt said he could not .rr
Mr. Huntington said that he was sorry his
friend from Mississippi had been in bad health
any man in good health--my friend from
Alabama for instance. could do it. He hop
ed the Committee would not be discharged
Mr. Jaruogin rose and said that he would
end this matter, and went on TO give reasons
for pursuing the course he would take. 1t was
useless TO procrastinate, hut OH the engross-
ment of the bill he would leave the decision
with the Vice President. Great excitement
in the Senute.) You sir, said he, are the rep
reseutativc otthe whole Democratic party,
am but one of the representatives ola single
State. Ihave been put by Democratic press
es as the person upon whom this measure is
to turn. will not stand in that position.
will vote 10 discharge the Committee, but on
the eugrossment will leave the casting vote
with you, the representative of the party. Mr.
Jarnagin concluded by expressing his belief
that the Wings were right, g. that they would
he sustained by the country, but he must dis
charge his duty and he would do so. f'
Hon. J. NJ. Clayton went on to Justify the in
Any man with knowledge of
the Finances could comply with them. 1t
was complained that there was not time
That was their own fault If they wanted
more time they should have it as iar as his
vote was concerned. They shonld not ESCAPE
with that eXcusc--uor should they avoid tic
guilt of causing the distresses surely const.
queni upon the passage OF this bill. 400 -5,.v
Mr. Webster said, inrone sense this was u
test question: We are here from day to day
calling ourselves n Democratic Congress
Now what kind of a Democratic measure ia
this bill2 The bill is called bill toreduce du.
ties on imports, and for other purposes Those
'other purposes are 10 Increase duties Oh cer.
tain other articles. Let iiss .aa You reduce
duties on Spirits spices, silks, rich cut glass,
rich carpets, and o;herArticles ofextreaIe luS
ltry, which, the laboring classes d0 not wauf,
and you raise thetduty ,opthe srtirles which
the poor need. ylou scs N 10 revel in the en-
loyment of ruiniug the, poor, mans. einyllay-
ment. y gu tax the poor mans comforts high
er thanb the bill Of la42, WHICH yeuo sfplh
pledged to reduce. ~, $500.
1t is q bill favoripg tho,riel, aud Iuxurioua
classes and laying opeTous, y,G;ies and bgr-
deus on the This is Tho test qlrest;op
and gentlemen shall not escape from, il. tits
not the want ofume doubt whether H.