Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-12-20
CONGRESS.
MonpAY. December Ill 1913.

of Mr.. Fitzpatrick, of Alabama Mr.. Felch, those
of MIR. Borland, of Arkansas, and both gentlemen
took tho customary oath to support the Constitution
The annual report of the Secretary Of the Trea
sury was received, and Mr.. Davis of Miss, moved
the printing Of 90 600 extra copies. Mr.. Cameron
was opposed TO the printing Of greater number
than was ordered of the Presidents Message, 90,
600 extra copies.) He considered the Secretary as
entirely behind the age, and hissystem as condemn
ed by the people in the result of the recent Pres-
dental election. On the question Of printing 90
600 copies, it was decided in the affirmative % I,
81
Mr.. Douglass presented memorial from Messrs
Aspinwall s. Co., of New York, setting forth that
they had obtained FROM the government of New
Grenada, charter for 80 years for railroad across
the Isthmus of Panama, and asking the government,
to contract with them for the transportation when
the road shah have been completed, of the mails
munitions of war, sc.
Mr.. Douglass. agreeably TO previous notice, IN
roduced his bill for the admission of California and
New Mexico as one State, into the Union.
Mr.. Davis, of Miss, submitted joint resolution
for filling the vacancies in the Board of Regents of
the Smithsonian Institute, by the disappointment OF
the present acknowledgement. Crhe House sub
sequently concurred.)
MIR. Badger presented memorial from the Min
listers and Churches of the Primitive Baptist Asso-
citation, lately assembled in N. c., praying the abo-
lition Of all laws by which Chaplans in Congress,
in the Army, and in the Navy, are appointed and
paid from the public treasury. (Mr. Is. expressed
his dissen, from the sentiments of the memorial)
On motion of MIR. King, the Senate proceeded TO
the election of Chaplain, and the Rev. Mr.. Sliur,
receiving % votes, was declared duly elected.
In THE HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES, mo-
,ion of MIR. Truman Smith, the rules of the last
session were adopted as the rules of this.
The report of the Secretary Of the Treasury was
received and 10000 extra copies ordered to be
printed.
Mr.. Ashmun stated that he had received letter
from Gales & Seaton, Withdrawing their names as
applicants for printing the debates, &C., of the
House. They did not wish 10 be considered the
"pensioned agents" of any government.
"A resolution was adopted calling the Secreta-
ry OF the treasury for statement OF the of
iron imported under the tariff OF '42, and the a
mount of revenue from such impcrta,ions.
MIR. Goggin introduced his bill to reduce the
rates of postage establish uniform rates, and correct
the abuse of the franking privilege. Referred to
committee of the whole.
Alter much unimportant business the House ad
journed.
TUESDAY 18th.
In THE SENATE.-Mr. Calhoun appeared and
took his seat. The report of the Superintendent of
the Coast Survey was presented by the Vice Presi-
dent, and ordered to be printed.
Various resolutions and reports from committees
were offered, all relating to unimportant matters
The unfinished business of the last session was
taken up, in order. Mr. Bayley's resolution, de-
claratory of the powers of the General Government
under the constitution the subject of internal i'm
provement, was laid on the table for the present.
On motion of Mr.. Dix, the bill from the House, in
relation to the improvement of rivers and harbors
was committed to the Committee OH Commerce.
In THE HOUSE OF REPREsENTATIvRs-A GREAT
"""nbo- 81 Pv'i'ivo and resolutions, chiefly lifm-
pOrtant, were presented.
Mr. Wentworth offered a resolution instruc,no
the Judiciary committee TO inquire into the expedi-
ency of making all government officers elective bv
the people.-Adop,cd
a resolution of inquiry was adopted as to the ex-
pediency Of survey of New Mexico and Califor-
MA, and securing by law the application of the mi
neral wealth of those territories to the payment of
the public debt.
A bill granting land to certain States for the con-
sructon Of roads and canals, and the improvement
OF rivers therein, was read twice and committed
Mr. Meade offered resolution, ins,ructinr the
Territorial Committee 10 inquire into the eXpedi-
ency OF reporting biltransierring Texas agree
ably to terms Of annexation, the territory lying east
of the Rio Grande.-Adopted
WEDNESDAY 18TH
IN THE oENATE.-Mr Benton presented pc
tition, received by himself and Mr.. Clayton,
OF Delaware, from convention of the people
oil New Mexico, signed by the President and Sec
rotary, and dated Santa Fe, November Ia, 1913,
addressed to the Congress of the u. S., and pray
Ing that territorial government purely civil in its
character, may be provided for them. The petit
tons state that the laws in force in September
1916, would be acceptable tothem-protest agains,
ACKNOWLEDGMENT in favor of Texas. or in any other
manner. and eyDreSS their nnpocjtinn IL, Tho
ductlon Of Slavery. MIR. Benton moved that the
petition be referred to the Territorial Committee
and prin'ed-Nlr. Clayton cordially concurred
MI Caihoun rose TO express opposition to the
reference, but to protest against the insolcnt char
acter OF this application, from the people of con
qnered territory the property alike of every portion
of the United States. Mr. Benton denied that
there was any thing insolent in the petition, and
spirited debate sprung up, in which Messrs Cal
houn, Benton, Clayton, Rusk, Wesiscott. Foote
and Hale partici pased. The memorial was receiy-
ed, SO to ID.
MIR. Douglass offered an amendment to his Cali
forna bill fixing the number of delegates to the Lee
gsiature IS, to be elected by the free white male
citizens Of the Sate,-bill and amendment referred
to judiciary committee.
Mr.. IL. johnson presented n petition from j. S.
Skinner fsfag 3f il P S f to
committee agriculture.
In THE HOUSE OF REPREsENTAT1vEs.-A an
pllcatlon was presented from the Messrs. Brooks
of the n. Y Express, to publish the debates, &c,
for $4,000 per session and another from Mr. Fen
ton, of Washington, to publish them at So per CO.
lulnn.
Mr.. Greedy introduced his bill to prevent specu-
ation in the public lands and secure homes to actu-
al setters.-Read twice.
Mr.. Palfrey asked leave t. introduce bill re-
pealiug all laws establishing or supporting the slave
trade i'll the District Of Columbia. Mr. Holmes, of
). O., objected. and leave was refused, 60 to 81
Mr. Ront ofTnred n rosoI,,,;o, ;,.,r.,; 49, Il . -.