The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-02-20
REVIEW or THE WEEK.

REVIEW OF THE WEEK.
Tuesday the 18th, a memorial was present
ed in the Senate, signed by the Mayor, and
the members of the Board of Aldermen and
Common Council of Washington, praying aid
from Congress for the colonization of the free
people of color Of this District, in Africa In
what clause of the Constitution the memoralstt
can find power conferred on Congress to grant
their prayer, we are not advised.
The same day the Senate ordered to be en-
crossed for third reading the bill appropriatng
ten million acres Of the public lands, lin value
sl2 500, O0O) to be distributed among the seve.
raj States in an equitable ratio for the benefit OF
the INDECENT insane II was finally. passed the
following day. To Miss Dix, chiefly, who dur
ing the two sessions of this Congress has patiently
watched over this measure, ia to be ascribed the
success of this benefeent act.
la the House, the bill to establish a Board of
Accounts was finally disposed Of substitute
for the original bill, providing for the prosecution
OF claims against the General Government before
the United Sta'es' Courts, was rejected-yeas SIS,
nays 100 The original bill provided for the
appointment of three Commissioners by the Pres-
dent 10 hold office for six years at salary Of 600
each, year. After hard struggle it was laid
anon the table by vote Of 100 to 90 an I'M
willingness to increase the patronage of the Presi
dent operating, we presume, to the disadvantage
of the measure
Memorials in favor of the Ebony Line of steam
ers continue to be sent TO Congress On the 10Th
one WAS presented in the Senate by Mr.. Soul6,
from Joseph Bryan of Alabama and others. A
few days before, memorial from large number
of members of the Virginia Legislature and Con-
stitutional Convention, in favor of appropriating
money out of the National Treasury to transport
disturb the peculiar institution had been Of
fcred Nobody limited about agitation, or moved
to lay it on the table; but it was referred, with
great respect, to one of the standing committees
- On the same day, memorials against the Fugi-
tive act, signed by thousands of the citizens of
Massachusetts,, headed by Charles Francis Adams
were summarily laid upon the table, without any
consideration. A few minutes afterwards, Mr.
Bright introduced his bill to increase the eff
cheney of this Fugitive law, against which the
Senate will hear no petition
This day the l5,h) was consumed in the Sen
ate in debate on the proposition to create the
rank of Lieutenant General, which, it was under
stood would be conferred by the President on
General Scott. The South Carolina Senators
warmly advocated the measure, on the ground
that the illusrous military services of the Gene
raj entitled him to this mark of distinction. Mr.
Mr.. Clay conceded with them, as did Mr.. Seward,
who spoke in eulogistic terms Of tho conquest OF
Mexico. MIR. Hale opposed the measure with
much spirit and predicted that, if PASSED. II would
serve as n precedent for the increase Of grades in
the army and navy. The civilization Of this
country is still warlike in its instincts, Ii nur-
lures the military spirit by comforting its highest
honors upon military achievements. The Senate
passed the measure by vote of 81 to 10. II
would have been better employed, if, instead Of
clarifying beyond measure, man, already sui.
fcienty honored, it had called up and passed the
bill securing to the people the substantial benefits
Of cheap postage.
The same day the House also was engaged in
the consideration Of a personal matter, involving
dollars and cents, not rank and titles-and, as
usual in such cases, much deeper feeling was
manifested than generally attends the discus
sion Of questions Of public interest. re-
port was made by Mr. Melville, from the
Committee on Printing, in favor Of granting re-
lief to Thomas Richie, from whom memorial
had been received asking compensation for the
loss he had incurred in executing the public
printing under the prices fixed by the contract to
which he had involuntsrily become partner. II
is charged and generally believed, that the oh
iect of the contractors was TO break down the
contract system--trusting to the customary libe.
ralty of Congress for compensation for any loss
they might sustain. The subject came up at the
last session. hut the majority against relief seemed
to he overwhelming Since then, change has
taken place in the views Of some of the members.
The South, with the exception Of the South Caro-
lima members and few sympathizing with them,)
and the Democrats from the North, who are
laboring to reunite the party on the Baltimore
platform, with a few Of the "Silver Grays,' are
in favor Of granting bonus. "How, otherwise, f"
said a Cass Democrat, the other day. to dissent
ing brother, care we to keep up our organ here p"
Mr. Marshall Of Kentucky declared that this
attempt to give money to Mr.. Richie was an at
tempt to pension the Union newspaper on the
Treasury Of the United States The discussion
went over till the next day, when, after several
speeches, motion by Mr.. Burt to recommit with
instruction to inquire and report whether Mr.
Richie has executed the public printing, having
regard to the quality Of the work and TO time
agreeably to the contract, and what sum he has
lost by his contract, was adopted by yeas 100
nays o.
Thursday, the Senate was employed on the
consideration Of a bill to regulate the fees o.
clerks, marshals, and attorneys in the circuit and
district courts of the United States having refused
to take up the Postage bill.
In the House, after dsposing OF the Ritchi'
relief bill, a struggle took place, which sboweC
the feeling Of the House on the subject of Rivel
and Harbor Improvements. The attempt to cal
up the bill on the subject was resisted by every
parliamentary device; but the Committee over
ruled tho decision of the Chairman on a point o
order, and by an overwhelming majority resolves