The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-07-20
IN CONGRESS- OF THE U. STATES
FRIDAY, JULY 10. 1880.


SENATE
MEMORIALS AND PETITIONS
| Mr. WALKER presented memorial Of citizens OF
the District oil Columbia, asking reorganization OF the
Judiciary of the District
/ Mr.. w. said The memoriasts set forth that the sub
lec OF Judicial reform has for many years past occupied
and still occupies great share OF the public attention In
this District Al the late municipal election held IN the
city Of Washington, the popular vote taken ON the
reform question, and the returns show that the people
almost unanimously in favor OF it. The memoraiiss
heartily concur IN the popular opinions that Judicial
form essentially necessary 10 the prosperity OF the Dis
ct and state that the present system santquated cum
bersome and dlaory that it is the expensive sys
TEN in the United States, and is besides radically defec
tive in it's theory. The memoralists further sate that
before the Judiciary Committee OF the Senate, and that
in the It meets with their appreciation, and, with
certain amendments which they suggest would be all
that s required to meet the public expectation and ac'
complish the important okec, to be effected,
The memorial was then referred to the Committee on
the judiciary.
of the District of Columbia, in relation to the same
subject; which also referred to the Committee on
MIR. CLARKE presented a memorial Of officers and
soldiers and the heirs OF officers and soldiers Of the
Rhode Island brigade. in the revolutionary war, asking
be allowed pay for money which became deprecated
and almost worthless in their hands
| In presenting the memorial, Mr.. C.. said: These
memorasts state that under the OF the continental
with the request made by General Washington, then
commander Chief OF the army OF the United States IN
777 they into the army Of the United States as
part OF the Rhode Island brigade They served during
the revolutionary and for their service in that army
they paid in continental money, in paper currency
of the continental Congress, which, at that time, was al
most worthless. They state that there have bean, at
various tines acts passed by the Congress OF the United
States providing some respect for paying those OF the
ev sy sv a
the year 1855 the Legislature of Rhode Island investi
gated this subject and sceaned the amount OF the de-
probation which would have been due to them, should
! tipirc be mai
States But in consequence OF the pecunlary disability
Of the State OF Rhode lsland as Sate 10 assume the
cuded by the provisions OF subsequent acts from coming
in others did from other States They were thus as
certained to be entitled to fair remuneraon but were
paid. because the State of Rhode Island being ex-
hausted in the revolutionary struggle, had nothing to pay
them with. The government OF The United States was
at that time, as we all know embarrassed and there
nothing in the treasury OF the United States by
which they could be paid.
They state that in i7so the State of Massachusetts,
ceraned the balance that due to the soldiers of that
State and paid them in FULL and subsequently the United
States repaid the whole to the State OF Massachusetts
They stale that other have been passed in regard to
States, and state particularly that in 1882 Virginia
was paid for the depreciation due to her officers and sol
diers the revolutionary They state, further that
in 1896 memorial was by them presented 10 the Con-
gress of the United States and it referred in the
House of Representatives to select committee and that
committee made report which went into detail OF all
the circumstances and they also reported S 10. the
ne was not acted upon in either house OF Congress,
and consequently this balance has not been paid !,
now extend to them The same measure Of justice that
extended to other soldiers serving in the revolution
ary that Congress would consider their memorial,
and deprive them Of the amount OF pay and re-
muneraon for depreciation which they suffered because
the State of Rhode Island not able to assume this
balance which, if il had been assumed, would have been
paid the same rs to other States.
have but word to say with regard 10 this request
1t is first signed by venerable gentleman OF my acquain
ance who is upwards Of ninety years Of age. in bold
AMI hond knn him un~ran n0Ii
when all this county called to arms to sustain
the country in the revolutionary struggle this gentle
was his studies in the College q. q .nOde
and served during the whole OF the revolutionary war
He is in extreme old age and comes and asks Tor
this deprecated balance which is due TO him Tor his ser
vces-or his revolutionary services. The next sgncr
MIR Dexter, who is ninety three years OF age and who
makes the request can say nothing further than
msnded 10 our Justice would ask that il may be re-
ceved, and referred to the Committee on Revolutionary
Claims,
The memorial was then referred to the Committee on
Mr.. BENTON presented memorial Of inhabitants OF
Los ana hon hs dsrs ou" 4. b"nes. and trade
labor under the most serious disadvantages It's CROWN
and settlement, are materially retarded. and great dlscon
tent prevails among the people. The memonasts, who
are very numerous ,h al its proximity to the mining
region has caused be substantially demanded OF its Ia
boring population and hence, although skngy agrcul-
ua natural features, il has for the last two years been
dependent on foreign supply for not only great proper
ton OF breadstus but Tor even the coaser articles OF
peas BEANS oats barley, &c. &c, which are usually
brought from OF the South American ports taken 10
San Francisco, and thence reshppedto San Pedo-from
which cause they subec, TO the most enormous ex-
penses The memorial referred to the Commlttee on
Commerce
MIR b also presented the memorial OF James FeVn'
son. late first assistant in the coast vey asking that the
Secretary of the Treasury may be directed TO unish
him with certain information, on file IN that department
necessary for dsprovng charge Of ncompetency which
led to his dismssa from Office which was referred 70
the Committee on Naval Affairs
Mr. SEBASTIAN submitted documents in relation TO
the claim of the heirs Of VIM Scott, soldier oil ine
revolution, for a pension which was referred to the
: Committee on Pensions.
Mr. WEBSTER presented a memorial OF citizens o
Fall River IN Massachusetts, asking alteration OF the
tariff by imposing specific instead OF ad vaorem duties
which was referred TO the Committee on Manufactures
MIR w also presented memorial from manufacturer
and others engaged in that trade asking an increase
duties foreign copper which was referred TO the Com
mittee on Manufactures.
Mr w. also presented the petition OF Elisha Putnam
soldier in the late with Great Britain, asking to b
allowed pension; which referred TO the Comm't'e'
on Pensions.
REPORTS COMMITTEES.
Mr. FELCH, from the Committee on Public Lands, Z
whom refere(fhe petition OF Peter Holcer. cana
Hosen,) Vim. Rinden. Leonard Cameron, James Tucker
claims the State of Missouri, arising out OF the con
cessions grants. and settlements rights from the govern
ment OF Spain or, in len thereof, other reeI IN Nn'
premises, submitted report in writing, which was "
dered be printed adverse to the prayer OF 'he pe"
. ers ..,. a. whoc,
Mr. NORRIS from the Committee of CLAIMS, 70 49,, 49,
was referred the petition OF the admn's'ra.o, ae.rovs